Today I am excited to share my very first “Meet the Maker” interview, with May, of May Paper co.
May and her luxe, minimalist planner range is something I have only recently stumbled across myself, but feel I have been searching for my whole life. Her perfectly curated images, and the elegant class and simplicity her range exude leaves me in awe, with the subtle pops of gold foiling a poignant reminder that minimalism doesn’t mean boring. Everything about this line makes me feel if I had these I would finally have everything in life sorted.
It’s with great pleasure I introduce May, of May Paper Co.
May:Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be in your Meet the Maker spotlight!
HOW LONG YOU HAVE BEEN A PLANNER FOR, AND HOW DID YOU FALL DOWN THE PLANNING RABBIT HOLE?
I fell down the rabbit hole when I set my eyes on my first Kikki K ringed bound planner – a lilac beauty with gold foiled diamonds painted all over it. This must have been when I was still at uni, when I was struggling to stay on top of my assessments… I would say around 2013-2014. One of the lovely ladies pointed me towards the Planner Addicts Australia group and I’ve been hooked ever since!
{A 2014 Unboxing and review of the lilac diamond foil Kikki.K planner May first used, by OATTBlog.}
HOWÂ (AND WHEN) DID MAY PAPER CO. COME TO BE?
May Paper Co. was a concept idea in 2015, after struggling to find inserts and deco that I liked – most things were too cutesy or bright for my taste or I didn’t enjoy the insert layouts or paper quality that were already available on the market. I started making my own inserts at home, but at this point in time, I didn’t think that they were good enough to sell. I kept putting it off for a few years and finally opened up shop in March 2018 (a week before my birthday)!
WHAT IS YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS?
When coming up with new products, I try to first think of what is lacking in the market – it could be anything ranging physical products, such as stickers and inserts to colour schemes. Colour schemes are a particularly important one, as I’ve found that there aren’t too many shops that cater towards a neutral colour scheme. I then create samples of the product and test them before releasing them to the public.
WHAT are your sources of inspiration AND HOW DO YOU GET ‘UNSTUCK’ CREATIVELY WHEN YOU HAVE A BLOCK?
I draw a lot of my inspiration from minimal fashion and magazine editorials. If I’m ‘stuck’, I have a few close planner friends that I’ve made in this amazing community that I can throw ideas around with or get feedback from. They have pulled me out from my own cloud of self-doubt and motivated me endlessly. I am so blessed to have met them.
WHAT IS YOUR PERSONAL FAVOURITE MAY PAPER CO. CREATION TO DATE?
My personal favourite would have to be my neutral toned functional sticker line, which are predominantly cozy nude and grey tones and are definitely heavily inspired by the colour palette I wear on a daily basis. I also have turned these stickers into what I call ‘sticker inserts’, which are a genius way of storing your stickers in your planners without the hassle of pulling them in and out of your pockets. They are almost too pretty to use!
IS THISÂ YOUR BEST SELLER? IF NOT, WHAT ARE YOUR CUSTOMERS GOING CRAZY FOR RIGHT NOW?!
It’s hard to say – I would say it would be a toss up between the neutral planner stickers and my monogram vellum dashboard. Our monogram vellum dashboard is a perfect way to personalise your agenda. At the same time, it can be used as a layering decorative piece, and pairs well with our gold foiled dashboard line.
IF YOU HAD ONE PIECE OF ADVICE TO SOMEONE NEW TO PLANNING, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Don’t go ham on all the latest trendy planner items! Just because it’s trendy, doesn’t mean that it’ll work for your life style. Or if you’d like to try it out, check out the awesome Facebook destash groups – there’s always something you can grab for a bargain until you’ve figured out whether works for you.
HOW ABOUT ONE PIECE OF ADVICE FOR SOMEONE WANTING TO BECOME A PLANNER BOSS THEMSELVES?
Strive for progress, not perfection and bonus piece of advice – don’t ever doubt yourself.
DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING EXCITING COMING UPÂ THAT THE PLANNER COMMUNITY SHOULD BE KEEPING AN EYE OUT FOR?
May Paper Co. will be at the very first Adelaide Planner Market – this will be the first time selling in person as well! I also have plans to release a planner subscription box as well. 2020 is going to be big, let’s just say that!
And just to wrap up, 8 rapid fire questions that everyone in the planner community wants to know:
What was your first planner? Probably one of those school planners that you had to get signed off every week. Anyone remember those?
What is your current planner of choice? I’m currently using a May Paper Co. sample in a personal size as my everyday planner.
How many planners do you have? Too many – (hang on let me count) 12.
Where is your favourite place to plan? At my work desk in front of my laptop so I can watch YouTube plan with me’s!
Do you have a Favourite pen for use in your planners? Either the Pentel Energel 0.5mm, or the Muji 0.28mm gel pen (I can’t believe that they’ve discontinued this one though)
What other stationery essentials do you need when you plan? When planning, I always keep my neutral functional stickers on hand. I use them as headers, bullet points and to highlight important events.
Do you keep, or toss previous years? Toss!
And the big one, Have you found planner peace? I would say so in my personal size!
Thank you so much for being my first Maker in the “Meet the Maker” series, May, I’ve loved learning more about you, your process and May Paper co. !
May has also been kind enough to offer a discount code for Sew Says You readers – New customers can use the code SSY10 for 10% of their order – no minimum spend required!
If you would like to see more from May and need some luxe, minimalist planner supplies in your life – you can be tempted and inspired at all of the links below!
Website:Â www.maypaperco.com
Instagram:Â www.instagram.com/maypaperco
Facebook VIP Group:Â https://www.facebook.com/groups/maypapercovip/
Facebook Business Page:Â https://www.facebook.com/maypaperco/
Do you love Mays style? Is there anything you would have liked to have asked? Maybe there is someone you would really love to see featured as the next Maker?
Let me know in the comments below!
{Just a friendly reminder, I don’t use affiliate links – so – any links that are included are purely for your convenience.}