Hi, thank you so much for visiting my site and reading my blog! I thought my first entry should be a little bit about myself and how my stationery business, West Shore Papercraft was formed.

Growing up, I always had very big emotions. This is still true in adulthood, although I have found healthier outlets to work out those feelings…most days, I would be lying if I said it was all the time. As a teenager my sister gave me my first journal. I am sure I had pink diaries with those tiny locks and keys that most little girls have but this journal came with intention at a time I needed it most. While our childhood was not inherently bad, it could have been better. With some of the worst of it happening in my teen years. My sister gave me a tangible journal, but she also gave me something much more valuable, an emotional outlet.

Writing became therapeutic. I would write about what was on my mind big or small and often found hidden thoughts spilling onto the tear-stained pages. Things I did not know were bothering me. It felt like a release of pent-up thoughts, you know the ones that cause nothing but anxiety. Getting the emotions out by writing about them and physically releasing them while crying always felt so powerful. I was now in control of my emotions, to an extent of course.

Later in life I found myself in a personal situation where I did not feel safe leaving my handwritten thoughts around to be read and used against me. I needed a new outlet, and it needed to be discreet. I’ve always been into crafting; I’ve scrapbooked, painted, colored, cross-stitched, wood burned, photography, etc. I had an interest in junk journaling but never really looked into it further. However, I thought at that moment that it was time to try it out. I was able to keep my hands busy and my mind quiet daily. Mind you this was during Covid times; my job was becoming more demanding as I took on a big project and the company restructured, I was dealing with my situation at home, and I had just lost my dad. I was not ok (gentle reminder, it is ok to not be ok). I would work my corporate 9-5 and then sit at my desk for hours creating. Some days my spreads conveyed my feelings and other days I centered my spreads around supplies on hand. I quickly became hooked and found my new therapy.

I started posting on my personal TikTok and found the amazing junk journal community. It got to the point I wasn’t sure what to do with all of the journals. I started making them as gifts and continued to share them on social media. Eventually, I found myself free from my situation, I was safe. I also left my 9-5 and was taking some much-needed time off. I thought, maybe I could try selling some of my creations and then next thing I knew, West Shore Papercraft was born. I wanted to give others the gift of having a healthy outlet, a space to work through their thoughts and emotions.

I didn’t think much about my long-term vision. I simply followed my intuition. I set up an Etsy and tried a couple vendor fairs. I’ve done vendor fairs in the past with my photography hobby and was able to incorporate that by carrying my greeting cards over to West Shore Papercraft. The cards always go over well. The journals are at the top of my pricing bracket and don’t always fit everyone’s budget, but I have sold a few and even took on a few commissioned projects. I’ve been adding products that fall into the lower end of my pricing bracket over time. I want to support the junk journaling community, the standard journaling community, people who feel lost (like I did when I started WSP) and the everyday person who just likes a bookmark I put together. I enjoy making the assorted items and it fills my heart with awe and gratitude that people actually have interest in my creations.

Things are moving slowly, but steady and honestly that aligns perfectly with my brand. My focus is on slowing down, nurturing mental health, encouraging healing and everyday kindness, while adding in some coastal calm. I hope West Shore Papercraft can cultivate a nice little community focusing on these core aspects where everyone can benefit.

Speaking of coastal calm, I have always found myself sitting on the beach when no-one else is around to clear my thoughts, to me it adds the perfect natural element that goes hand in hand with how journaling supports my mental health. This is why I chose to focus on my little beach town for the name, paying homage to the place I go to clear my mind.

Do I know if this will work out? Without truly knowing for sure, I will honestly say yes I do know this will work out. It will work out for its intended purpose in my life, whatever that may be and for as long as it should be. I am approaching this with no expectations, which to me means I’ve already achieved success just by starting and seeing it through. My 9-5 was with a company where the owner shared his story openly with the world. He started a business to make extra money, it did not do well but instead of giving up he added a second location. He went on to have a much larger and insanely successful portfolio over the years. This story sticks with me as a constant reminder to never give up if things don’t go as we hope initially and to continue to push through for success.

I now have a clearer vision for the future of West Shore Papercraft than I did when it formed nine months ago and I would love to have you follow along this journey with me. I have found myself at a point in life where I no longer enjoy a fast paced lifestyle, give me slow and calm. Give me quiet moments away from all the electronics and big corporations. Bring me closer to my roots. Preserve my peace. Let me grow and surround me with soft moments of kindness. If this sounds like you and my core values resonate (slowing down, nurturing mental health, encouraging healing and everyday kindness) this may be a home for you too. There is a spot on my home page to sign up for “Notes From The Shore”, to keep updated and follow along.

Truly, thank you for being here. This is just the beginning, and I am so grateful you are here for it. I’m glad our paths crossed in this tiny corner of the internet.

With love, always,

Marie