Couture Handmade Wedding Invitations

Random Facts About You?

I danced competitively for 21 years and then taught for 3.

If I could meet one famous person it would be Oprah, I think she's truly an amazing person.

I was born and raised in Johannesburg South Africa.

I have a major sweet tooth!

What got you started crafting?

I have loved arts and crafts my entire life and excelled in it in school. In college, I ended up taking a one year course called Art Fundamentals which is a portfolio building course and then went on to get my diploma in Crafts & Design with a major in glassblowing and a minor in ceramics.

After graduating in 2005 I started creating lampworked jewelry from home and selling it. I then decided that I would like to try something different and started working with paper. I made cards, gift tags and invitations and fell in love! I designed my own wedding invitations in 2007 and did a lot of DIY making my own card box, place cards, lanterns etc. I ended up doing the same thing for my sister's wedding. I decided to start Jolie Papeterie Boutique after a bridal store owner told me I should do it professionally. So far it has worked out wonderfully!

What is your source of inspiration?

I have so many things that inspire me. I'm inspired by people I meet, places I've been and things I've seen.

My biggest inspiration comes from my husband and son, they motivate me to work my hardest everyday. I usually find my creativity is more alive during the night. I lay in bed for hours thinking about what I'm going to design next or the next project I'm going to be working on. That's not always a good thing as I have to wake up to a toddler each morning!

What have you made recently?

My corset invitations are very popular. They were inspired by sexy lingerie and are available in many different colours. Each invitation is hand cut and punched. Eyelets were added and then fine silk ribbon was threads through each one. This creates the corset style. The back of the card is customized with the client's text.
The thing that stands out about this piece is that it is unique. I have seen many 'corset' invitations but I can honestly say that mine are different:)

Where do you sell your crafts presently?

I actually own two etsy stores, one for wedding invitations and the other for all sorts of stationery (http://ambientgirldesigns.etsy.com)

For my bridal I make the majority of my sales through my actual website.

Why are handmade crafts important to you?

The reason I choose handmade is because I believe that you get what you pay for. I would rather spend that little bit extra and help someone out and end up with a good product than buy it for cheap in a store and it falls apart. As I am also a handmade artist I truly understand how hard it can be to run a business and also the amount of work that goes into handmade products.

Find Me

Location
http://www.etsy.com/shop/joliepapeterie

Email Address
Nicola Viau

Personal Website
http://www.joliepapeterie.com/

Twitter
@Jolie_Papeterie

Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/JoliePapeterieBoutique