I am a huge fan of handlettering- I have a whole Pinterest board dedicated to it! I think there’s something special about words that say beautiful things being designed to look beautiful as well, and I love decorating my home with these beautiful truths! That’s why I am so excited to be sharing a feature on Emily of Joyful Papery with you on the blog today!
Emily is an amazingly talented artist and has such a beautiful heart for the Lord! I know you’re going to love reading about her and her business, and at the bottom of the post there’s a chance for you to win one of her prints! I am so jealous I can’t enter, but am excited for whoever the lucky winner is!
How did you decide to start your business?
I’ve always been a doodler. I used to doodle on notebooks, binders, my arms (it’s a miracle I’m not covered in tattoos!) and even my jeans (my saint of a mother still affectionately refers to them as my ‘doodle jeans’!). I doodled in class and I doodled in church, and it became how I learned. Teachers would think I wasn’t paying attention, but really, if I had to stop and just listen without writing it out, I wouldn’t really ‘get it’.
So when I gave my heart to the Lord and desired to hide Scripture deep in my heart, I would doodle out the verses. Through Instagram and Facebook, friends and family started asking me if I would create something for their favorite verses, quotes, etc. Over time and with practice (and a lot of erasers!), it became a little business of itself. It’s my prayer that everything I create would bring glory to God and lead us directly to His heart, making us JOYFUL!
Where did the name Joyful Papery come from?
Joyful Papery was born in a season of my life of learning to be content and hunting for joy in all (and unlikely) circumstances. I clung to Paul’s words in the letter to the Philippians, “For I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.” (Phil. 4:11,12 ESV) The Lord grew deep, unspeakable joy to my heart in a season of infertility, turning my grief into growth and my cries into joy, and Joyful Papery became somewhat of an offering back to Him.
It’s my prayer that all the pieces I create and every word I publish would be reminders of joy, bringing contentment in His presence through beautiful and inspiring paper goods.
What’s your favorite print in the shop?
What serves as your inspiration?
My inspiration comes from the Bible, journaling, nature, music, and friendships! Most times if I’m in a creative rut, I’ll run out to a local coffee shop, plug in my earbuds and pull out my Bible. I also try to spend a fair amount of time outside, whether it’s going for a run down to the beach or even just going on a longer-than-normal walk with our dog! If you’re in a creative rut, do something you’ve never done before. Go out to that new exhibit at your local museum. Take a walk on that trail you passed last week. Take your kids out to that park you’ve been meaning to go to. Run out to that cute little coffee shop that’s not on your route to work in the morning. Put yourself around people and in places that push you to new experiences.
this side of paradise 
