News

2018... off to a very good start
Feb 26, 2018
Written by Sarine Badelian
Filed under 2018 news, adventure, babies, baby, baby girl, baby news, baby stuff, birth, booties, daddy, frankies girl 2018, frankiesgirldesigns, girl, goals, life, life changes, mama-to-be, new adventure, organise, parenthood, women in business, working mums

2018... off to a very good start

Yes. I know, it's already the end of February and this is my first blog post for the year. It has been a bit of a slow start work wise, but personally there's been lots going on around the Frankie's Girl studio. About a month ago, we announced something very special to our instagram followers... we are having our first child this May and are super duper excited!! It will mean a bit of a break from wedding and custom work however we are continuing to grow our product range organically by being a bit more organised throughout all our processes (well hoping to be anyway).

In case you missed it here is the little tribute I wrote to our growing babe:

To the little feet that will be filling these shoes... the world might not always meet your expectations but I promise you that you will never go through life alone, you will be nurtured, protected, encouraged, be loved beyond measure, for you will be perfect just as you are. 2017 was a year of major business and personal events for us. After celebrating 10 years of marriage (yay we made it!!), we took a big leap of faith in May by travelling to New York to participate in our first trade show. This May we will be experiencing adventures of a different kind... there will be a new ‘Frankie’s Girl’ in town who will change the course of life as we know it. We are truly blessed and excited to be welcoming our greatest creation to date, a baby girl.

To our tiny principessa, I would say I’m ready to fall in love again but that wouldn’t be true, because I loved you from the first moment I heard your beating heart, before even meeting you. You have already taught me so much about patience and putting complete trust not only in the timing of the universe but also in my body as it alters to accommodate you, you have turned me into an emotional wreck, completely thrown out my work schedule, rendered me breathless and made me believe in hope. If good things take time, you were definitely worth the wait! Counting down the next few months until we can hold you in our arms, guide you and show you all the wonders that life has to offer.

We will be keeping you updated with new work, new products and any other developments that will make an impact to our wonderful customers. As always, thank you for your support and following along. 2018 is definitely going to be a special one.

xoxo

National Stationery Show NSS 2017
Apr 14, 2017
Written by Sarine Badelian
Filed under booth 1464, booth1464, cards, concrete jungle, design, entrepreneur, frankiesgirl, frankiesgirldesigns, Girl Boss, greeting cards, National Stationery Show, New York, New York City, NSS, NSS2017, NYC, show, small business, Stationery, Stationery Show, Trade, tradeshow, United States, women in business

National Stationery Show NSS 2017

On Easter Sunday it'll be exactly a month before we leave for the bright lights of New York and get ready for our debut at the National Stationery Show 2017 (WOOHOO!!!). Frankie's Girl will be exhibiting at Booth 1464.

The National Stationery Show (NSS) is a yearly event held over four days - this year it's from the 21st to the 24th of May at the Javits Center in New York. The event showcases products from the paper and giftware industries.

From the site itself:

"The NSS attracts a diverse global attendance of buyers and industry professionals from stationery, card and gift shops; bookstores; bridal shops; party stores; department, chain and specialty stores; large chains and “big box” mass retailers; online retailers and mail order catalogs; as well as special event planners, corporate marketers, importers, distributors and manufacturers’ representatives."

Clearly it's a big deal for those who work within one of these industries and definitely the biggest deal of my career to date. It started with sheer distress (considering that I applied for the show with only a handful of greeting card designs and only a couple of months to get a decent collection together). There were a plethora of emotions that ran through me, added to that some anxiety, depression, doubt, sleepless nights... laying in bed wide awake at 3am wondering what I'd gotten myself into... ah fun times!!! Within all this commotion, I somehow managed to pull it all together and get it - or most of it - done. I'm not completely there, but the finish line is definitely in sight.

Now all the tension is turning into complete excitement and I'm relieved that I have taken the chance, pushed myself and my work, physically and emotionally to a level that I'm happy to show off. It's ok to be proud of yourself once in a while right? Damn right!!! (Tap on the back time!)

The thing is, I've dreamt of attending this show as an exhibitor for so many years. However, life seemed to always get in the way... or maybe that was just my own doing (highly likely)... Not feeling that my ideas were good enough for the multitude of talented stationers out in the big wide world was not the greatest feeling to endure as a creative. But one of the most important lessons I've learnt and I am constantly reminded of in this life, is the need to believe in yourself. You are highly capable. You are strong. You are worth it. Now go get 'em!!!!

What's that saying? If you love what you do, you won't work a day in your life... well I love it, so planning to keep this party going for as long as I can. For the moment I am waiting on the next lot of my cards to arrive from my very patient printers, putting together the catalogue and finalising the last bits and pieces I need before we jet off.

Farewell for now and see you at the show!!

Frankie's Girl xoxo

For those attending the show come see us (Sarine and Frank) at FRANKIE'S GIRL BOOTH 1464. For those you aren't attending I will keep you updated on instagram (frankiesgirldesigns) of what we get up to in NYC :)