Bella Ink Designs has it on good authority from a couple of industry publications, Stationery Trends and Greetings Etc., that the year ahead, as bleak as it may look financially, will be sporting some uplifting themes. Here are five that we think will take the lead.
1) The trend that most closely resembles the mood of Americans in this economy is... GRAY! But don't be too quick to tack a rain cloud over the heads of those in the stationery business. According to Greetings Etc.'s Jan/Feb 2009 issue, one popular move is to pair low-key neutrals like gray, black and brown with colors that like to pop such as greens and purples. Turns out this gray trend isn't all that dreary.
(Above: Bella Ink Designs WT-27, WT-25, & WT-28 in taupe, brown, green and purple)
2) Foie Gras may be banned in Chicago, but certainly not Faux Bois. That means fake wood... we had to look it up, too. Not only is the trend of wood grain stationery sprouting up in Chicago, it has gone national according to Dan Collier of the Daniel Richards Rep Group. He was interviewed by Greetings Etc. for their trends issue and predicated that this theme would be a big hit in the year ahead.
(Above: Bella Ink Designs WCH-9)
3) Stationery Trends magazine is dreaming of Damask, and so are we. Designers are updating this classic pattern with modern color combos for everything from wallpaper to stationery. This pattern will give your personalized stationery a luxe look, making both you and your note's recipient feel extra special.
(Above: Bella Ink Designs EF-66)
4) One of the most delightful trends for 2009 is the mixing of patterns, leading to invitations and folded notes with a whimsical nature... just what the doctor ordered for Mid-January!
(Above: Bella Ink Designs EF-68)
5) And finally, Bella Ink Designs would like to promote a trend that has become timeless: Helping others whenever we're financially able to do so. Purchasing a single note card at your nearest card & gift boutique is perhaps one of the easiest ways to make a contribution while acquiring an inexpensive item to brighten somebody else's day.
(Above: Bella Ink Designs SF-5 and EF-77. 10% of our proceeds from each card will be donated to PAWS and American Forests)
Bella Ink Designs feels that the year ahead will be an exciting one. We're trying out some new things, such as sophisticated watercolor prints on a premium cream stock, and stationery sets. As usual, though, all of our invitations and note cards are printed on paper that consists of at least 10% post-consumer fibers and are either Green Seal or FSC certified. We will also be donating 10% of our proceeds from EF-59, "Think Pink," to another women's cancer research organization.
Be sure to pick up a copy of Stationery Trends and Greetings Etc. for more 2009 trends!
