Notable Maker: Katie Leamon
You might not be surprised to find that we appreciate thoughtful, well designed stationery. There is something about special attention to detail, combined with excellent quality and design, that makes our stationery hearts swoon - and no one does it quite like Katie Leamon.
Based in Essex, England, Katie Leamon launched her stationery line in 2010. Her partner, Ruairi, joined her in 2015 and oversees business development.
The line offers a variety of products including gift wrap, planners, leather goods, and pencils. Katie is well known for her printed cards using individual polymer rubber stamps. Her products can be found at specialty boutiques, including Paper and Grace in Jackson, WY and Bozeman, MT.
We certainly have our favorite details - including her gold striped envelopes. Who wouldn't feel special to receive a card with such a beautiful envelope?! The boxed pencil sets elevate pencils to a new level and the Hide leather accessories are true luxury. Actually, everything this talented duo creates is lovely.
We first met Katie and Ruairi five years ago at the National Stationery Show (NSS). They both were a delight, and it seems fitting Katie Leamon is our first feature in our new series 'Notable Maker.'
We were lucky to ask her a few questions and want to share Katie's responses.
If you were a stationery item, what would you be?
Katie Leamon: A sketchbook. I love them. They document a visual and written story of a select time period. I love looking back through my old ones and seeing how a collection might have been planned and how it sub sequentially came to life.
Who was the last person you wrote a hand written letter?
KL: Actually, I wrote a letter to our unborn child which might sound a little odd….. Im 8 months pregnant with our second child and I wanted to write a letter to them before I met them. I did the same ahead of our little boys birth and found it quite therapeutic and lovely way of documenting how you feel before you meet them as its hard to remember once they are here. This pregnancy has also been very challenging so its very different to my first. I imagine reading them over the dinner table one day and them laughing at me and comparing notes! I also wrote one to Baloo, our little boy once I had him so they have lots documented on how I felt before I knew them.
If you had to be shipwrecked on a deserted island, but all your human needs—such as food and water—were taken care of, what two items would you want to have with you?
KL: Sketchbook and a pen/pencil. I would need to doodle or sketch or write – I find it greatly therapeutic and Im sure I would have lots of ideas brimming if I was on a beautiful island!
If you could choose the Pantone color of the year what would it be?
KL: 712up. Blush peachy pink. I always go back to it in every collection, every outfit choice, homeware product I buy and am very drawn to it.
Its warm, soft and inviting. Its got an antiqued edge to it and seems sun drenched.
What was the last gift you gave someone?
KL: A leather travel wallet with their initials embossed on it. It was for one of my best friends who holidays a lot so it was perfect, she loved it!
Who doesn't just love Katie?? (Also hear-hear on her Pantone choice.)
If you are looking for a good place to start with her stationery line we always suggest a planner (because who doesn't love an excuse to plan) or a recently launched leather tablet case. The leather is sumptuously soft and elevates any accessory.
Shop her line at both of our Paper and Grace locations.
