Card Designer Spotlight x Little May Papery
The Card Designer Spotlight is a series featuring independent makers whose greeting cards you can find in Paper Source stores. Meet and be inspired by a new designer every month on our blog!
This month we want to introduce our featured card designer, Leanne Thompson of Little May Papery. Find out about how Leanne has taken her natural ability to spread cheer within her community and turn it into a career that allows her to spread joy all over the world!
How did you begin your card-making career?
My card-making journey started as a way to spread holiday cheer. Every Christmas, I created cute watercolor cards for my family and friends, and it quickly became a tradition. They would always comment that I should sell my cards… So I signed up for my first craft market. It was both exciting and nerve-wracking, as I wasn’t sure anyone would buy my designs. But they did! I still sell some of those early designs, which always makes me smile. Connecting with fellow makers in the community and seeing people laugh out loud at my designs is something that can’t be beaten. It’s been incredibly exciting to see my passion evolve into my job. Turning something I love into a career has been a dream come true, and I’m grateful for every step of this journey.
Where do you draw inspiration from?
I find my inspiration for Little May Papery in the sweet and simple moments. I love using puns and word play, as well as giving little personalities to inanimate objects - like a smiley cup of coffee or a pizza slice with arms and legs. I love to weave that silliness into my designs. There’s something so lovely about a card that makes you smile, cry or laugh out loud. I like to blend those playful touches into my designs, creating cards that allow for connection and add a touch of whimsy to everyday moments.
What does your day look like as a card maker and designer?
My days are ever-changing—every day is something new! Often I spend the morning doing some housekeeping - making sure inventory is ok, analyzing spreadsheets, checking and replying to emails. I also love a list, so I can tick things off and feel accomplished. Next, I will usually do some packaging and fulfilment, both retail and for our amazing wholesale partners. I love putting on a podcast whilst packaging and seeing our products being sent all over the world. If we need a restock of products I will then send those orders to our local printer—supporting fellow local businesses is always a win! My favourite time however, is when we are designing for a new season - I love pulling up my notes app on my phone and delving into all the wild and wonderful ideas I have noted down over the weeks. Of course there are the more mundane parts of running a business peppered throughout the day, but overall I’m so lucky to be able to enjoy my days at work and love the spontaneity that comes with owning a business. Little May also runs out of a warehouse with fellow small businesses; including Friday Sock Co, a cool mismatched sock company, so it’s always a creative and fun environment to be part of.
What is your preferred medium?
My preferred medium has definitely evolved over time. I started with good old watercolor and ink, which was always so lovely to play around with. I then made the leap to the digital world with my iPad and Procreate, and honestly that was a game-changer for my business; it opened up a whole new playground for me. I love the versatility and the ability to experiment with all the different layers and effects. It’s definitely helped me level up my illustration skills and be more experimental.
What does your creative process look like?
My creative process is pretty free & unstructured. I always keep a running notes app on my phone filled with all my ideas, as well as a list on the wall in my studio of the products I dream of creating one day. Ideas can strike at the most unexpected times and usually they come to me on my runs, whilst I’m falling asleep at night, or in the shower (why do the best ideas always come in the shower?!). I also love firing off ideas with my family & friends - it’s always so fun to come up with funny sentiments with people, then have them see it come to fruition in a product or card design. Sometimes, there is an illustration that is great but the sentiment isn’t quite right, and vice versa.. It’s like putting together a puzzle & when you finally figure it out, it's pretty cool!
What are you most proud of as a creator and card maker?
The thing I am most proud of is having started my own creative business in our one bedroom condo, and seeing it thrive and evolve over the years. It’s so rewarding to help support my little family while doing something I love. I feel incredibly lucky & proud to be my own boss and have the flexibility to be able to spend quality time with my kids; that has always felt so special to me. I can design my days around my family and I will never take that for granted. As well, seeing my cards and products in the wild is always something that makes me so proud. The partnerships with boutiques all over the world & getting to know my customers who have been with me over the years is really special. I remember the first time I visited a Paper Source store in New York and saw my little peanut design on the shelves, it was a huge ‘pinch me’ moment.
Any personal tidbits?
I’m a proud Mum to Ella and Oliver- they keep my life wonderfully busy and full. I’m originally from England and have been fortunate to call Canada my home for over 12 years now. I love to visit my family in the summer time to enjoy endless woodland walks and blackberry picking. Before opening Little May, I attended Drama school in London & worked as an actor for a few years. I’ve recently been dipping my toes back into that world, which has been super fun & an interesting contrast to illustrating. I'm a proud ambivert and can usually be found in my studio with a cup of tea blasting either Taylor Swift, early 2000's emo music, a Broadway musical or a wellness/business podcast.
Find Little May Papery cards such as Little Peanut Baby Card and Humerus Skeleton Halloween Card at your local store or online at papersource.com. For more inspiration and behind-the-scenes action, follow @littlemaypapery on IG.
