Whether you’re here for the first time or the 100th time, you’ve probably seen all the awesome creations over the years on our blog. But, what you probably don’t know is anything about our incredibly talented Papertrey Ink team. For the next few months, we’re going to introduce you to each member of our product design team so you get to know a little about them and their design talents.
Meet Michelle Leone
Hometown: Rush, NY
Role: Design Team Contributor
Blog: Pretty Periwinkle
How did you become involved with Papertrey Ink?
I become involved with Papertrey Ink as soon as I had a peek at Nichole Heady’s very first stamp set for Papertrey Ink way back in 2007. Throughout the years, I continued to purchase Papertrey’s innovative stamps, dies, papers, ribbons, and more as they grew from a one-stamp-set-per-month to current design-packed monthly releases. I started my blog so I could participate in the monthly Papertrey Ink Blog Hop as there was always the possibility of winning a coveted Papertrey Ink gift card! So, I’ve pretty much been a fan girl since the start!
What is your role?
I have been a member of the Design Team for almost a year as a Design Team Contributor. My very first PTI Design Team post went live on February 10, 2017, as part of the Papertrey Ink’s 10th Year Celebration. It also happens to be one of my favorite projects to be involved in as it allowed me to look back at some of Papertrey Ink’s lovely and timeless designs from 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, and 2016.
What are your favorite Papertrey Ink events and products?
I had the pleasure of attending the first (and only) Papertrey Ink Stamp-A-Faire creative retreat in Cincinnati in July 2011, where I had the opportunity to meet Nichole, Betsy, Heather, Dawn, Michelle Wooderson, and Lisa Johnson in real life! I am secretly hoping that Papertrey will consider doing something similar in the future. It was so fun to chat, mingle and exchange ideas with others who understand my crafting obsessions!
My favorite Papertey Ink products would be their beautiful papers, both the card stock AND the patterned papers. It’s the very best in quality and color!
Meet Melissa Philips
Hometown: Caliente, NV
Role: Design Team Contributor
Blog: Lilybean Paperie
How did you become involved with Papertrey Ink?
In 2007, I received an email from Nichole Heady that made my head spin! I hadn’t dabbled in stamping in the least bit at the time. I remember how unsure and unqualified I felt, but said yes knowing that she understood that there were lots of opportunities for growth with Papertrey Ink. I’m so very thankful for her for having the confidence in me so early on in my career.
What is your role?
I get to play and create with the gorgeous products that are released each month. It’s a real treat! I create Make it Monday tutorials, newsletter tips, Throwback Thursdays, and lots of other inspiring things for the Papertrey Ink blog. I have also collaborated with Nichole Heady on a few stamp sets and die collections and enjoyed that tremendously!
What are some of your favorite projects you have been involved in over the years?
Choose Joy, Love Lives Here, and Tiny Tags are a few of my all-time favorite products. To have the opportunity to make something come to life in an artistic form is so rewarding and truly a dream come true for me. The quotes and sentiments used are very near and dear to my heart and will always bring me joy.
What are your favorite Papertrey Ink events and products?
The releases each month are still, to this day, just as exciting to me as they were in the very beginning. The anticipation each month and wondering what I’ll have the chance to create with is like waiting for a present I’ve longed for and finally get to open. So plain and simple, but the monthly releases are my favorites!
Meet Dawn McVey
Hometown: Kansas City
Role: Design Team Contributor & Product Designer
Blog: Raspberry Suite
How did you become involved with Papertrey Ink?
I met Nichole Heady years ago at a class she taught at my local stamp store. We chatted and I showed her my work. A few months later she offered me a position on the Papertrey Ink Design Team. I’ve been on the team since July 2008.
What is your role?
I’m a member of the Design Team, and I’m also a Product Designer. My product line is the Raspberry Suite line, and my first stamp set came out in 2009. It’s been such a joy designing products over the years and then using them to create with on my own. I love seeing how everyone else uses them – often times in ways I never even imagined when designing the sets!
What are some of your favorite projects you have been involved in over the years?
One of my favorite projects to be involved in would probably be helping to choose the Raspberry Fizz color years ago! Color just makes my heart sing, so that was a real thrill! I’ve also enjoyed being a part of the Make-It-Market team over the years, and have enjoyed serving in various capacities behind the scenes, too.
What are your favorite Papertrey Ink events and products?
It’s tough to pick just one, but I do have a couple of favorite events. The first CHA event that Papertrey Ink attended is a big one. Holy cow there were a TON of super excited Papertrey Ink customers at that event! Our booth was literally overrun with giddy shoppers. They were lined up for what seemed like a mile in that convention center!
Also, Papertrey Ink’s Stamp-a-Faire event that we held in Cincinnati was great fun! A whole getaway just for Papertrey customers with hands-on make-n-takes, shopping, and mixing and mingling with members of the Papertrey Ink team. I met some of my teammates for the first time at that event, not to mention a lot of our customers, too… many of whom have become friends over the years as a result of meeting them there!
As for my favorite product, I don’t think I can name just one! That’s like choosing your favorite child or something! But, I have to say that I am really proud of my Gran’s Garden stamp set. I love the vintage-inspired florals and have gotten so much joy from stamping with it myself, as well as seeing so many customers creating beautiful projects with it. I’m also really excited about my Farmer’s Market Florals stamp set. Flowers are just my favorites!
We hope you love our Design Team Contributors as much as we do! Come back next month to meet three more of our wonderful and talented team members.
I’ve been following PTI for almost 9 years now and have always been inspired and so impressed by the Design Team and everyone involved in any capacity with this great company! Thanks for this chance to get to know the team a little better!
I too have been following PTI since (almost) the beginning. You never fail to thrill and inspire! I love your products and your designers and it’s been amazing to watch this fabulous company flourish! Thank you for all the many fabulous years of crafting and cheers to many more years to come!
Ladies, you are all so talented! Thanks for sharing a bit about yourselves.
Oh, how I love and admire each of these ladies! Their talent is obvious, but I appreciate their good hearts every bit as much (maybe more)! Loved learning a bit more about each one.
amazing team, amazing company!
Love learning new things about the team
PTI’s products and design team have made me a better stamper. Thsnk You!
That’s such a great idea to give us the opportunity to know a little bit more about your great contributors. Thanks for sharing !
You really have such a taented and versitile group of designers! Keep up the good work!