Modern Monday :: Inkspot Workshop

Next up in the holiday ‘it’s all about paper’ feature is Stacy, owner of Inkspot Workshop. Stacy has been around for almost 2 years running Inkspot Workshop as a second job. And just recently she opened up another online stationery boutique, Fire Hydrant Press, designing paper goods with your furry friends in mind. So let’s meet this Atlanta native, shall we?

Tell us about yourself.
My name is Stacy Altiery and I’m the imagination and staff behind InkSpot Workshop (est April, 2008) and Fire Hydrant Press (est December, 2008), both stationery shops on Etsy. The business is run out of my house in Atlanta, GA, which I share with my ever supportive husband, super energetic 3 year old son and our 2 “senior” pound puppies. In addition to running InkSpot Workshop, I am a sales representative for a large medical device manufacturer out of New Jersey and have worked for this company 8 years.

I love selling as much as I love to create which is why my side business is such a perfect fit with my day job. I have several different degrees including a Bachelor’s in Business Marketing, and two different Associate’s in Fashion Marketing and Culinary. I love to cook for a creative outlet, but only when there is enough time. I do not enjoy cooking just to “eat” meaning we go to restaurants quite frequently. Time for recipe experimentation usually happens on Sundays; when there is time to cook. What I appear to be saying is that I have ADD! If you follow me on Twitter, you will see many tweets pertaining to the fact I’m up to cheese dip and margaritas, AGAIN!.

How and why did you create your business?
I have been crafty my entire life. As a kid in the 1970’s I latch hooked many rugs, made tons of Shrinky Dinks and macramaed my fair share of beaded chokers. However, it wasn’t until I got into professional sales that I realized my graphic design potential. I have made many promotional flyers using my company’s logo, of which I’m sure our legal department would take issue with. I then took my new hobby to another level when I designed all of my wedding paper goods, back in 2004. We had a destination wedding in St. John, USVI and I had a specific “look” I wanted and just made everything myself, including invites, menus, agendas, you name it. It was then that the real paper crush began! Of course the birth of my son almost 4 years ago put my passion for design into a new light and I became even more creative with my productions. Then, a year ago and a half ago my friend introduced me to Etsy and InkSpot Workshop was born. Starting off on Etsy (of course) sales grew enough and on August 1st, 2009 I was able to launch my own site http://www.inkspotworkshop.com. I will continue to offer my items both on Etsy and on my own site.

Describe a typical work day for you.
Typical day for me is up before the sun rises to catch up on emails both for my day job and InkSpot Workshop and get some uninterrupted time before my son gets up. Then get my son his breakfast before he goes to preschool or the sitter arrives, then back into my office I go to either make more stationery or go out on medical sales calls. End everything by 5pm, be a mom until my son goes to bed around 8, then back to my office until 10pm. The highlight of my day is when my husband and I catch up on our Tivo from 10-11pm. He’s also in medical sales so we completely unplug and chill out over mindless reality TV! I know it sounds exhausting but when you are doing something you are passionate about (InkSpot workshop of course, not my day job) you can’t wait to get up and start up the routine all over again.

Why did you choose the form of paper to express yourself?
It’s quick and easy and I have complete control over the entire process, from designing it, to printing it, to packaging it. When you have a toddler you soon realize you have little control over anything, so this at least I know I can control.

Where do you draw inspiration from?
You name it… fabric, sheets, furniture colors, flowers, etc. I was recently at an exotic bird show (hubby thought it would be a fun family day out because of rain) and got some new color combo ideas. Funny how an idea will just suddenly come to you.

What are your favorite hobbies?
The better question would be “What were your favorite hobbies before you started InkSpot Workshop and became a mom?” I used to love cross-stitching and crocheting and to play golf. Now the only hobby I have time to do and that’s really a stretch for me, is cooking.

Thank you so much Stacy for sharing with us!
website | Inkspot Workshop | Fire Hydrant Press | blog

profile picture is courtesy of C Davis Photography