What happens before the first order?
I’ve imagined the first order.
I don’t know what will be in it, or who it will be going to. But I’ve thought about choosing the packaging and wrapping everything, wondering whether the person receiving it might enjoy opening that parcel as much as I enjoyed preparing it.
There’s a lot to do before that happens. Still, that thought makes the work ahead feel wonderfully real. And a little frightening.
Opening my own stationery shop is something I’ve dreamed of for such a long time. And now I’m actually making decisions that will turn it into reality. I can hardly believe I’m finally at this point! I find myself moving between excitement about what I’m creating and all sorts of questions about how to get there.
What should I choose for the first collection? Will the care I put into it come across to someone discovering The Paper Voyager for the first time?
If you’re reading this, perhaps you’re that person. And I’m very glad you’re here.
This is the place
Back in August, I stood in the empty room that would soon become The Paper Voyager’s creative studio.
One of my first thoughts was: Wow. Is this really happening? I remember standing in the middle of the room, slowly turning around, taking it all in, just knowing: This is the place!
Here was a space where I could finally begin building the shop I’d been dreaming of for so long. I was already imagining where my furniture would go, how I could arrange everything I’d brought with me and where I would sit to work on ideas, make plans and figure out all the practical details along the way.
And then there was the balcony, overlooking the greenery. How I love this view! I could already picture myself sitting outside with a coffee and my journal, jotting down ideas or simply enjoying a little time away from the computer.
The photo shows the room before any of my things had moved in. When I look at it now, I remember how much I could already see in it.
Letting you in
The pre-launch website is now online. If this is your first visit, welcome. I’m Tina, and I’m building The Paper Voyager, an online shop for carefully curated stationery and analogue tools.
Launching this first part of the website is a huge milestone for me. For the first time, I can give you a glimpse of the shop I’m creating and share some of what happens behind the scenes through this journal.
There’s something quite different about working on something privately and finally inviting others into the process, especially when so much is still taking shape. It’s a big step and one I’m genuinely excited to take. I’m proud of how far The Paper Voyager has come and I can’t wait to see where it goes from here.
I want to show you what I’m building, talk about the things I’m drawn to and find out what catches your attention, too.
I keep coming back to the experience I hope you’ll have here. Perhaps you’ll find a notebook you’re keen to start, a tool that becomes part of your day, or something you simply love having on your desk.
Choosing what comes first
The next decisions will begin to give those possibilities a more definite shape.
I’m particularly looking forward to finalising the opening collection, reaching out to brands and makers and choosing the pieces I hope you’ll love discovering as much as I do.
There are so many wonderful things I’d love to include, but I know I have to start somewhere. I want to give each choice enough attention and make sure the pieces feel right together.
I’ll share more about how I approach the selection in another journal entry. There’s a lot that goes into deciding what to offer and I’d love to share some of those thoughts with you.
Then there’s the rather substantial matter of having somewhere to put it all. As much as I love my new balcony room, I’m afraid it won’t quite do the job.
Where your package might begin
The garage has a new job ahead of it.
And yes, this is where The Paper Voyager’s future storage and packing area will be. It might take a little imagination right now. I know.
First, it needs to be cleared out. The walls and ceiling need plastering and painting before I can start turning it into a proper storage and packing area. It may seem a little early to imagine the first package leaving a room that still needs this much work. But I do. And I am excited!
One day, there could be an order on the packing table with your name on it. It’s strange to think about that while looking at the garage as it is today, but I can already picture it.
First, though, let’s get to work.
I suspect there will be quite a few moments like this along the way: having a clear picture of what I want to create, then figuring out all the less glamorous steps it takes to get there.
But that’s what I signed up for, right?
A beginning worth keeping
I wanted to record this stage while I’m still in it.
There will be shelves to fill, orders to prepare and plenty to tell you about the things I’ve chosen for the shop. I’m curious to see how much of what I’m imagining today will actually turn out the way I pictured it.
In my next journal entry, I’ll share more about how I choose the products for The Paper Voyager, what catches my eye and what matters to me when putting a collection together.
For now, I just want to say thank you for being here. It makes me genuinely happy to know that you’re already curious about The Paper Voyager, even before there’s a shop to browse. Being able to share what I’m creating with you makes this beginning even more special to me.
Tina
