Nestled in downtown Grand Rapids, 6.25 Paper is not just a paper products and invitation design shop. Abbey Fowler, the owner of the store, tries to be as eco-friendly as possible, recycling excess paper and using them for window displays or making paper flowers. Her shop is filled with many Michigan made products and goodies personally designed. She has an album of her own designs (that she also sells to retail shops) for clients to choose from or they can be custom-made. She designs anything from traditional to vintage to modern for any occasion. We had a little Q&A session with her – enjoy!
How did you get started? I started my career path at a magazine publishing company. I was involved at trade shows and discovered how much I enjoyed the design aspect working for different magazines in the stationary industry. I eventually started my own company up in 2008.
What trends are you seeing with brides? Nautical themed invitations and navy blue are trending. Brides choose purple quite often as well. They are moving away from pocket folds and doing double sheet invites instead.
What is the most unique request or invitation you have done? For a corporate client, I designed invites that looked like luggage to be given to invitees for a corporate trip to Florida.
How far in advance should brides order? It depends if they are doing a custom order, which I recommend 8 weeks in advance otherwise if they are just choosing out of my album I recommend 4 weeks.
Do you have any advice for things brides should stay away from? I say make sure you are aware of the added costs for proofs and being cautious of how much paper is used in the invitations.
What is your favorite and least favorite thing to do? My favorite things to do are the side projects that come along with weddings, things besides invitations like custom designed signage. I do not like to do anything with a photo involved.
What is the meaning behind the name 6.25? It is my wedding anniversary!
Ashley Mason, TwoFoot Creative – Grand Rapids