My name is Kelly Maron and I run the little Chicago area letterpress studio, Paper Stories. I also author a blog under the same name and I have an etsy shop. I am so thrilled to be filling the guest spot for Holly today!
I make a variety of letterpress paper goods from cards to art prints to invitations. For today’s post I’d like to share a bit of my studio space with you, where my inspiration comes from, and the struggles of running a small business as a new mom. I think we only see the ‘good’ face of most businesses online and I’m here to show both the good and the ‘real’ life stuff that goes on behind the scenes. 
I always love seeing a good studio tour but secretly feel a tad bitter by those ‘showcase studios’, you know the ones… the warehouse with the original hardwood floors from the days when the space used to be an early 1900’s sewing factory, soaring 12 foot tall windows covering the exposed brick walls, a healthy dose of antiquated metal cabinets and large wooden work tables, and of course there is always some sort of lounge area filled with mid-century modern furniture, like the infamous Eames lounge they just happened to find on the side of the road. Did I just describe my dream studio? Perhaps; but if you are anything like me, with a young business, you need to keep overhead low which means making what you have work for you. I understand that ‘fantasy’ studio tours give you something to aspire towards but I’m here to show you a more realistic space. My space. If you have been making excuses for not making your own studio space, perhaps this will motivate you!
I work from home in a converted one-car garage where I house my 1200 lb 8×12 Chandler & Price printing press. I do all the printing and cutting in this space. It is a small space and gets rather cold in the Chicago winters, but it does the job and it’s free! I have also commandeered an extra bedroom that is more of an office space. This is where I keep my boxes of envelopes and other paper goods, store my inventory, and can sit with my laptop or just sketch out ideas. Of course at any given time, I may also take over the dining room table for the purposes of boxing up cards or getting things ready for a show. In mid September I will be a vendor again at the Renegade Craft Fair in Chicago so right now, it looks less like a house and more like a tornado in a paper factory.
Since my studio is small, being organized is important. I have dedicated spaces for printing, sorting, and cutting. I have tried to fit as many tables, shelves, and cabinets as I can without hindering my ability to move around comfortably. Most of the things are either thrifted, like the vintage French kitchen tins that hold my gloves, ink, and miscellaneous printing things, and the dartboard that serves as my makeshift inspiration board, or were built from your typical hardware store supplies. I use a lot of pegboards for keeping supplies within arm’s reach. Of course, the occasional trip to IKEA never hurts either for organizational supplies.
While my studio isn’t glamorous, it is cozy and comfortable plus I have a lot of photographs and collected ephemera hanging up that makes it more personal. Unless you also have a half-ton printing press, it shouldn’t be that difficult for you to carve out a little workspace for yourself.
If having the perfect workspace has held you back from following some sort of artistic pursuit, get over it. Find a little corner, organize it, decorate it and get to it!
Okay, so you have the space. Now for the inspiration. I am going to say it… coming up with ideas is hard! Wait, I take that back… coming up with ideas that will sell, is hard. I have so many ideas at any given time, that if I were my only customer, I would be perfectly satisfied. Since that is not the case, I need to think about what sells. I find this a bit frustrating at times especially when it is April and I am designing Christmas cards. Perhaps if I were only a designer, then I could comfortably rest into my delegated role. However, I am the designer, the printer, the webmaster, the shipper and anything else that needs to get done. This can be draining. However, as many one-person business owners know, you really can’t do it all yourself and sometimes you need to take a break.
For the last three years I have been doing everything myself. Two words: Not good.
I convinced myself that I would have better control over everything that way. (Serious type-A personality issues.) Finally, a few months ago I took on an intern. A wonderful girl named Lisa comes over once a week or so and helps me with various business related things. She has been a great help and is also super fun to talk to. I have found myself looking forward to her visits and have remembered how much I love to work with other people. This has encouraged me to start collaborating with others.
Illustrations from the portfolios of Angela Navarra (left) and Jen Renninger (right).
Still in the negotiating and development phase, I am working with some wonderful illustrators to create some super fabulous letterpress goodies for next year. Angela Navarra is a wonderful illustrator who I am very excited to work with on some upcoming cards. Keep an eye out for those as early as this winter. As for next year, I can’t wait to get started on my collaboration with Susie Ghahremani of boygirlparty. I can’t even tell you what we are cooking up but I promise that if all works out as planned, it will be divine! I am also chatting with my cyber-friend Jen Renninger about a collaborative project. Oh, it makes me all so giddy inside. I hope it all works out. Talking with all these talented ladies has gotten me so excited to get printing and has also recharged my batteries so-to-speak. I’ve realized that sometimes the best inspiration can come by working with others.
However, when I am left to my own devices searching for personal sources of inspiration, I can be all over the place. I absolutely love patterns, especially ones that are found in nature or in architecture. Vivid colors make me go ga-ga. A warehouse filled with antiques makes me weak in the knees. When it comes to my card designs, I have used everything from wrought iron and vintage embroidery patterns to a city streetlamp and cupcakes as inspiration. I prefer things that are bold and graphic to soft and subtle. Having a sense of humor helps as well. Give me a card with a snarky saying and I am a happy camper.
Recently I drove nearly 2400 miles visiting seven different places. I went from the plains to the Atlantic Ocean to the mountains and back again, all the while keeping an eye out for things that inspired me. Above is a little peek of some patterns that I found inspiring. You never know what will translate into a card. Walking around with a camera is a great way to record things.
Once I am swimming with a head full of inspiration, my biggest struggle seems to be finding the time. I am so amazed by other artists who seem to balance their home and work lives successfully. I have been running Paper Stories since 2005 and was doing pretty well with time management. I had left an established career as a high school teacher, with the support of my husband (also a high school teacher) to start my own business. It wasn’t until last October that I worried that my home life might conflict with my business. I had a baby boy; Jackson Calder. He is the coolest little guy. I feel very lucky to spend every day with him. Currently we don’t use daycare so all of the day time I once used for printing, filling orders, and contacting clients has been replaced with feedings, diaper changes and walks around the block. Typically I watch Jackson until dinnertime when ‘Daddy’ gets home, then Paper Stories is open for business. I work until late at night doing all the things that once occupied my days.
I am not quite sure how I am pulling it off, and some days I would argue that I am not at all, but somehow I seem to be busier than ever with orders and upcoming projects. I must be doing something right even if I feel like I am getting on by the skin of my teeth. The past two months have been easier since my husband, Russ, has been off for the summer but in a few weeks he will head back to school while I chase a ten month around at home.
For all you creative mums and pops out there, feel free to leave suggestions for how you manage it all. I would love to know how you do it! In the meantime, guess I am just going to have to baby proof that paper tornado I was mentioning.
Coincidentally, I was just reading an article on how to raise a happy baby. Edward Hallowell, author of The Childhood Roots of Adult Happiness, wrote that children, like adults, must pursue their own interests to feel fulfilled in their successes. He says the happiest people are often those who master a skill. Something for us all to work on I suppose. Put together your space, find some inspiration and make some time, then happy mastering!
Well that is it for now. Thank you to Holly and all of you lovely readers for allowing me to share what it is like to have a small business, along with all the inspirations and frustrations that come with it. Hopefully I have given you a bit of something to relate to regardless of whether you are just dipping your toes into the creative waters or are a seasoned veteran.
(photos and text from Kelly Maron)
August 21st, 2008 at 5:04 am
Wow! what a breath of fresh air and I think that you have a wonderful business.is their any chance that you could contribute your story to my website as a way to motivate, inspire and encourage other to start their own business.We defiantly need more people like you in life who have taken the plunge, conquered their fears and followed their own path in life.
Well Done!
August 21st, 2008 at 6:09 am
Wow, lovely inspirational post!
katies last blog post: Bowerbirds
August 21st, 2008 at 6:28 am
I enjoyed reading your post and I really liked your work and comments.
Re parenting/work balance - I definitely agree with Edward Hallowell about being happy yourself enabling you to raise a happy child. My boy is 5 now and I’ve raised him on my own. It’s occasionally extremely difficult (for example I am about to do the Maison et Objet show in Paris and it means being away for my little boys first week back at school
so I feel like selfish evil mother No.1).
Mostly though I think it makes your time incredibly focussed and you use it better and get more done. It’s also a good reality check, things that used to stress me don’t phase me so much now, you get a bit more zen about everything!
In the first few years of their lives I think you just have to be proud you’ve achieved anything at all beyond the childcare to be quite honest….it’s very tiring so just be patient and aware that it goes in the blink of an eye. When my little one is at home I don’t try to do any work stuff at all - no phonecalls or emails. This is hard if he is unexpectedly ill from school and I’ve got things planned but he has to come first. I do have childcare though I must admit and I also work long into the night. If my business goes well though it will benefit both of us! One last thing is that I had a studio a few miles away before parenthood and now I work in various parts of my house like you do - it’s perfect…you can do the laundry and write invoices at the same time (kind of!).
August 21st, 2008 at 9:14 am
Hi Kelly,
You are so honest and refreshing; yes, I know the drill; I have two babes, our girl is 3 and our lil guy is nearly two; I had to move the business out of the house to actually carve any space out as we have a small 4 bedroom and all is taken—(my stepdaughter is with us 1/2 time and she has the 4th bedroom :). I do have a new space, which is grand, but I have to get all of my stuff (no cussing here) there (resources, catalogs, files, etc)—I do interior design and my organization has been the thing that has suffered over the last 4 years—what happened to that organized girl I once was; I love how you carved our your space—very darling and I love your write-up; now I will check out your wares but wanted to thank you for this very warm and honest post.
jana
August 21st, 2008 at 9:58 am
Hi Kelly!
I can totally relate! I have a 2 year old, we’re staying in a rented apartment with some of the landlord’s junk still around, and I have no space for my personals, - my accessories are in 3 different places - let alone my craft items! Plus managing the chores, the kid, and the husband - I can totally understand how finding time and energy for the biz is challenging!
I’m loving it though, its so much better then lazing around isnt it?! And grateful that I am blessed with all that I have. And I love your work. You go girl! You’re doing awesome!
ruths last blog post: Happy finds
August 21st, 2008 at 10:32 am
Than kyou so much for your post. I have been tossing around the idea of opening a business and have felt both excited and scared out of my mind. Thanks for your ‘real life’ look at how you make it happen!
August 21st, 2008 at 11:22 am
This was an absolutely fabulous post! I enjoyed it immensely. Cheers.
Jamie Watsons last blog post: Finding stuff
August 21st, 2008 at 11:33 am
Awesome to read about the family/work balance. I have 2 toddlers and it’s difficult, however, I think we (me too!) try to do everything! We just need to let go of something….might even have to hire a babysister for a few hours
ninas last blog post: A Fab Accessory
August 21st, 2008 at 11:42 am
Kelly,
I truly enjoyed your blog today. Your work is fantastic. Did you happen to be a high school art teacher? I appreciate the real life descriptions and photos. I am a newer mom as well, gearing up to go on my own in the world of graphic design. You have inspired me to really go for it and be realistic.
Best wishes,
Katie
August 21st, 2008 at 11:57 am
Hi guys…
Thanks for all the kind response. I was a bit nervous writing this as it wasn’t geared strictly for design. We see so many amazing designers and businesses on blogs and are often left with the impression that they must have it all together. People email me and want to tour my studio and think that because I run a professional business I must have some grand space… in my dreams. (One day of course!).
I just hope that I have encouraged many of you to follow your creative pursuits even if the space, the timing etc isn’t perfect. It rarely is.
August 21st, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Very inspiring story Kelly, and how true! I too am currently developing my own “at home” business, and am finding new challenges every day. Thankfully I am recieving nothing but encouragement for people in the industry, (interior design/decor) which just makes me want to do more and try harder.
It’s taken me 4 year’s to take this step, and i’m so happy I finally have!!! Cheers!
Trinas last blog post: Saturday Afternoon with…..Flik & Company Interiors
August 21st, 2008 at 12:26 pm
Thank you so much for sharing such a delightful post with us. It is wonderfully refreshing to see a work space that isn’t the perfect dream space we all wish we had! Now I don’t feel like i’m the only one just making do with random ikea desks, mismatched boxes, and a regular office chair!
Congrats on keeping the business going and being a mom… I am not in quite the same situation, but working all day at a regular job and then running a business at night is very draining, and it is nice to be encouraged by someone elses success! Keep up the beautiful work
sarahs last blog post: Melissa & Patrick’s wedding!
August 21st, 2008 at 12:44 pm
hey Kelly - great to read your story this morning - a really good read. Love your work!
Fiona Richardss last blog post:
August 21st, 2008 at 12:44 pm
great post! always love to see other people’s studios and the work they do.
Marys last blog post: New ACEOs
August 21st, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Great Article. My time management method is prayer. I pray that I can get the order done, I pray that I can get up with my kids in the morning after sleeping for only 3 hours, I pray that I don’t snap at my kids, I pray that I can do it all over again tomorrow.
It really is difficult to manage it all and as moms we just kick into survival mode.
August 21st, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Hi Kelly. I, too, can relate. I have a 19-month old, and am trying to juggle my freelance writing job (which pays some bills), being a mommy, and starting my own creative business. Luckily I have daycare 3 days/week, but I still find it almost impossible to squeeze in my creative stuff. I really really want to stop the business writing to dedicate myself to what fulfills me, but we do need the cash . . . anyway, thanks for representing the mom perspective!
August 21st, 2008 at 1:40 pm
Thank you for your post! I am working on my own small business (letterpressing in the garage!) AND I’m pregnant so this was especially helpful. Right now, it’s hard to stay motivated about the future of my business with my day job and a baby on the way, but I know that I love it and it’s something I want to grow. I get frustrated with my cold garage, too, (and having to fight for space with the lawnmower and camping gear :)) but you’re right - it’s not going to be the space I dream of until the business grows a bit. Thank you!!!
August 21st, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Hello! Great read!
KELLY, I can relate to you on soooo many things you said regarding your business…good for you on searching out others for help etc.
ALSO…
I just had to make a quick observation, what’s the fascination with those creepy white hands? They remind me of the rubber gloves one uses to clean your dishes…HA! Sorry I haven’t gotten hip to that yet…who knows maybe I will end up liking them. Hmmmm, but right now they’re scary looking.
Jen Ramos
‘100% Recycled DESIGNER Cards & More’
http://www.madebygirl.com
madebygirl.blogspot.com
August 21st, 2008 at 3:12 pm
Thank you Kelly! This was so honest and inspirational!
August 21st, 2008 at 4:36 pm
Great tour! I love the space you’ve shown us - keeps me inspired to keep chipping away at organizing and decorating my own space.
Dianas last blog post: domino magazine rocks my socks!
August 21st, 2008 at 7:21 pm
great post kelly!
with three kids & the press in the garage, I know first hand how crazy it can be. you rock for making it happen so gracefully
I’ll be thinking of you next time I’m printing at 3 am in a freezing shop!
krista
August 21st, 2008 at 11:34 pm
Beautiful, beautiful goods in your lovely shop! I can’t wait to see your collaborations with the lovely Susie and Jen, I am big fans of both of them and bet your work together will be divine! Thanks for the great post!
xo
Melissa
Melissa de la Fuentes last blog post: hope II
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:16 am
Give yourself a big hug.. You are amazing. I loved your honest story and your work is lovely. I have a four month old baby boy and thinking about getting seroius about going back to work. I also have a studio that is dispersed around the house in different rooms. When I was based in London had many students come and work for me and I think it is a really great way to work. You both learn something from the experince. You have inspired me to carry on. Started working the night shift.
Thank you.
Susses last blog post: Susse Saturday Shop part 2
August 22nd, 2008 at 8:04 am
First, I must give credit for the top right invitation in the first pic (the red & blue one in French). It was actually designed by the bride, Annie Michaud from Montreal. http://www.anniemichaud.com/
***************
Again, thank you all! I am blown away by all the comments. It is nice to know that many of us are in similar situations and goes to show that it doesn’t have to be a deterrent.
And to Krista from Papered Together… you are actually one of my inspirations. I don’t know how you do it all with 3 kids. I have always been in awe of all you do.
August 22nd, 2008 at 2:27 pm
Kelly, you rock. Just wanted to add my thanks for the reality check article. I had to laugh when I read your description of “showcase” studios. It kind of resonates with me because I’m a sculptor and my studio consists of a desk and any flat space available to put something while its in progress. I just got asked recently if someone could have a studio tour and I had to laugh. Thanks again! You brightened my Friday.
August 23rd, 2008 at 4:20 am
I just had to add to the chorus of all the creative women who’ve written in response to your post today. Thank you for your honest and inspiring words. I, too, am a mom (to a 1-year-old girl and 3-year-old boy) and am trying very hard to get a free-lance writing business off the ground.
I get two, maybe four hours babysitting help a week but it’s just not enough to do all I want to do. On the one hand, I feel guilty relegating my kids to a babysitter/nanny and yet I have so many writing/business ideas running through my head all the time. It can be incredibly frustrating not being able to follow through because I’m so busy with my kids and household stuff, with my husband sometimes working 70 plus hours a week. It’s difficult because my No. 1 priority is my kids and yet I feel so creatively frustrated that I know I’m not always as engaged with my kids as I’d like to be.
I do tend to be a perfectionist so I am trying to let go of some not-so-necessary chores (like ironing all my baby’s onesies!!) In the end, I believe it will take a bit more adjusting on the babysitting front and a lot of more letting go of perfectionistic tendencies. I do notice that after my two or four hours of “free” time to work on my creative pursuits I return to my kids mentally refreshed.
Good luck on your work and on one day getting the studio space you would like. It sounds like your business is quite successful in the small time you have. I’ll be checking out your work and that of other women here as well.
August 24th, 2008 at 2:54 am
Wonderful honest write up that really helped me feel ok about juggling two jobs and my four year old plus another on the way. The house is nothing like the sneek peeks we see with parents who have it all together unfortunately, and forget about space in the garage - we don’t have one! - so yours is totally fancy! The dining table will be everything for a while longer I foresee but it’s gonna be ok!
Jennifers last blog post: Beautiful Bamboo Basin
August 24th, 2008 at 11:43 am
This is one of the best blog posts I have read in a long long time. Thanks for giving us all a reality check.
My daughter is now in college and gone from home. I remember it was really hard to make time for any kind of creative project when she was little. But they grow up super fast, so my suggestion is to enjoy every minute of it.
At some point, you might want to find other moms in your same situation, and do a child co-op- where everybody can get a few hours of daytime work done, by trading off a little childcare. It’s free, it’s cheap and everybody gets a few hours a week to get things done that they need to do.
I think you are doing great and I’m inspired by your creative energy. I look forward to seeing you at the Chicago Show.
Deb
http://www.relics.typepad.com
Debs last blog post: *Lovelies *Lovelies *Lovelies*
September 13th, 2008 at 8:38 am
Thanks for sharing this, it is inspiring me to share “my studio” in my own blog. Its not something out of an interiors magazine, but its mine and its giving me the opportunity to start my own business from home and work around my children. Now, work and children, thats a whole other blog post!! I too get most of my work done in the evening…late evening, as its the only time I can feel peace and quite in my mind. Its my most productive time. So, you are not alone, and although at times, completely exhausting, I don’t think I would have it any other way!