Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, and with its new colocation with NY NOW February 3-6, National Stationery Show‘s Third Annual “Design our Valentine’s” Contest is incredibly well-timed. And the crop of Winners and Finalists is top notch as always. So many of these makers are new to me too — which tells me I’ll be falling in Love with lots of fresh ranges at this year’s Show.
First up we have the Traditional category, a bigger challenge that it seems at first. Year in and year out, these workhouses do the heaviest lifting in relationships.
The Finalists and the Winner all put a fresh spin on a tried and true template. Talullah Madwell snagged finalist honors with this romantic release.
And Finalist Mailennial provides some beautifully and cleverly presented words to live by year-round.
And … the animal-themed Winner! This beautiful design is unmistakably JooJoo Paper.
The next category is Contemporary — that featuring imagery and verbiage that’s more current, modern, on trend, hip, fun, humorous, bold, sarcastic or snarky. ilootpaperie secured a Finalist spot with this punny design.
Finalist #2 is Cabbage Cards with some moving dairy love!
And taking top honors is Kweer Cards with its Scrabble-rific design.
Finally, there’s the We Love The NSS category. The industry’s love for the Show has outlasted many relationships and marriages, so this is quite an enduring concept to say the least!
Designs could include the NSS logo or just reference “NSS” as part of the design. Finalist Just My Type Greetings pulled out all the stops with this colorful double gatefold card.
Dry Wit Goods snagged the last Finalist spot with this adorable illustration and sweet copy.
But Grey Street Paper‘s tasty Candy Heart design captures not just the spirit of the holiday but the creative, collaborative essence of NSS with this winning design! Congratulations to all the Winners and Finalists.
Meanwhile, NSS is giving its own gift to attendees. Register by January 25 for a chance to win one of five $100 American Express Gift Cards!
