Stationery has taken a turn from monochromatic paper and cursive lettering that extend an invitation to custom, whimsical designs that implore attendance to the party. Shindig Bespoke is at the helm of that trend with unique stationery suites that scream personality. As does, founder Jill Ryder. We sat down with the creative director in her equally inspiring studio space to pick her graphic savvy brain about business, decor, and more.

NO. 01

Tell us a little about Shindig Bespoke and your inspiration for it's home base!

We are a wedding graphic design company. Starting with the invitation or save the date we create a cohesive graphic style that runs all the way through a limitless list of “day of wedding” pieces. Our work is unique, color driven and fun. We love texture and delight in incorporating materials other than paper.

The space is actually inspired by the work rather than the other way around. I like a mostly modern space with clean lines that I can then layer with tons of color, texture, and nature all over, hence the gigantic cork board!

NO. 02

What drove you to start your own business?

I’ve been doing this for 12 years. In 2004 there were very few companies offering REAL custom wedding stationery. Mostly, it was black and cream and gold and double envelopes. A wedding is a very personal event and everyone was sending the same invitation! The invitation being the first taste of the wedding, I imagined guests reactions being the same as mine, “oh great, another wedding.” I craved seeing invitations that communicated more about the couple with color and personality and style!

NO. 03

What does a typical day for you look like?

It’s pretty typical. Shower, coffee, feed the baby and wait for the nanny to arrive. I try to fit a morning yoga class in at least 2 days a week. Head to the studio and take care of emails. Then if there’s design work I just hammer away all day on the computer. If there’s studio and assembly work my intern, Jill 2.0, and I sit and chat and tie and stuff. If the day hasn’t been too taxing, cooking dinner is actually my favorite way to end the day. I have an infant, so I go to bed embarrassingly early.

NO. 04

Where do you get your inspiration from? What do you do to keep your creative juices flowing?

I hit the liquor store! In all seriousness, wine and liquor labels are a great source of inspiration especially because there is such a huge variation from classic, to modern to avant garde.

Also, I seriously LOVE concert posters – especially when designing save the dates which allow me to fill up more space and use more color since there is less text than there is on invitations. I go to Gigposters.com.

…And nature.

NO. 05

What is your favorite thing about your space?

Again, the natural elements. Since I was a kid I’ve always wanted to bring the outside in, (I was the bad girl picking the neighbors flowers), collecting seashells, leaves, acorns, so I try to scatter natural elements around the studio like feathers, cotton buds, hot pink moss! It helps influence my work which is often nature inspired.

Terrain out in Glen Mills, PA is a great source for buying things I can’t collect myself.

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