Kori of Paper & Pigtails {Exclusive Interview} and {Valentine's Day Play Date Debut}

Kori Clark of Paper & Pigtails is *such* a talent, you can see it IMMEDIATELY from her fabulous designs and parties!!!

 From her incredible new line of *editable* party printable files to her own children's spectacular parties, she is a great designer to get to know and a true pleasure to work with!!!

 I have had the privilege of working with her extensively, and am THRILLED that she allowed me the honor of featuring a fun little interview I conducted with her.

And as you will see, she also is giving me the extraordinary privilege of debuting her ADORABLE Valentine's Day Play Date Shoot & Collection! {as photographed by the amazing Courtney Vickers Photography & Kori Clark}

I am smitten with the sweetness--take a look!  

 {Question} Tell us a bit about yourself!



How about some random facts?

-I grew up in Louisiana and I have a slight obsession with Fleur de lis anything


-My favorite childhood memories are of taking walks through the woods and land at my grandparents home in Mississippi. It was a family event, and as we usually visited at the same time as aunts, uncles, and cousins, so there would be no less than 10 people and usually at least 5 dogs stomping through the woods, talking, laughing, playing, jumping on hay bales, and catching up. We would return from those walks to a hot bowl of homemade vegetable soup....best memories.


-My favorite color is yellow

-I have two BIG dogs that are sweet as kittens

-I think 50 degrees is FREEZING


-I cry at Hallmark commercials {and Campbells Soup commercials}

{Question} What inspired you to start Paper & Pigtails, and tell us a bit about your design background!



I began drawing as soon as I could hold a pencil, and took fine art classes growing up. In college, my dad suggested graphic design and it was all over. My degree is in graphic design and I have been doing freelance design work for years, including printable invites and cards.

Last year a friend introduced me to the world of "parties" unlike any I had seen and I realized that printables were MUCH better as sets including other elements (circles, tags, labels, etc.) instead of just invites!

After designing printables for some friends parties, we decided to throw them up on Etsy and see what happened...luckily, they exploded almost instantly and the shop has continued to grow!

{Question} You recently launched something revolutionary in the party printable world...editable files! This is so incredible. Can you tell us a bit more about how this idea turned into a reality, how editable files work, and the benefit of them to end users?



YES! I am so very over the top excited about these! I do corporate design work as well, and when upgrading all of my design software, I decided to go ahead and add the software needed to make my PDFs editable. It saves me time, as I can sell a file that is editable and it is ready to email, but it is amazing for my customers!

The benefits to the customers are - they are cheaper, you can use them for as many different projects as you like (IE if you buy a carnival design for your little one's birthday, you can use it again for the yearly school festival), you can also use some designs for multi purpose items (example - the invite file can be used to make 5x7 table signs, menu cards, or even to type thank you notes! The fonts I use are embedded in the designs, so you don't have to download any fonts to have yours look the exact same as mine!).

 And the best benifit....you sit down to print all of your designs to see that you put the wrong date, or time, etc., and instead of sending me an email and waiting for my reply to be able to finish, you simply change it yourself and move on! {This is a huge benefit to some of my food and beverage clients who change menus often}

How they work....You purchase the EDITABLE file(s). I email them over to you. You open in Adobe Reader (free download if you don't have it and simply type into the blocks provided). They will enter in the correct font, size, and color automatically! You can then save and print, and if you are using the same file for more than one thing, you save as "menu" then retype and save as "invite"....Make and save as many variations of the designs as you like!

{Question} Can you share some hints about designs to come in 2011? Also, any fun upcoming projects or new endeavors?



WOW...good question. I definitely have new things coming! I am focused on adding several brand new sets to the shop right now, as well as showcasing some parties that have already past and we haven't had the chance to show!

I also am adding more items to the designs in the shop, so you will be able to buy things like candy wrappers, banners, drink sticker designs and more with each set! It is going to be a fast paced and exciting year!

{Question} The parties you have created and styled for your children are among my all-time favorites. Just perfection! What tips do you have for mom's planning children's parties, to make them less stressful, and more stylish?



You are too sweet! I think the thing I have learned most in the past year is to let go. If you think everything is going to be perfect, you will be disappointed. Things happen, rain crashes outdoor parties, kids have temper tantrums, the cupcakes topple on the way from the baker.

These parties are for the little ones, a time to celebrate with our families and friends. We are celebrating with people who don't care if the cupcakes get smashed...so at the end of the day, why do we? Enjoy the day, laugh at the mishaps, and enjoy celebrating every moment you have with family and friends. If you can do this, the party will be a great success, no matter what!
 

 

Many thanks Kori for this fabulous interview! It was such a privilege to feature you, and we look forward to seeing all the wonderful new things you will be sharing with us in the new year!!! Now for some great details on the Valentine's Day Play Date Shoot!

In Kori's own words: "This year I decided to host our Valentine playdate early due to several factors {including of course that I couldn't wait to list them new set in the shop and show it off}. The invite really set the tone for the whole party. The illustration inspiration came from these adorable tin mailboxes I found, and a sweet gift from my friend at Twirlie Whirlies. {cutest pinwheels EVER} I set up a table for the older toddlers as the little one's won't sit still yet, and we played "bingo", handed out valentine's and snacked on assorted treats including yogurt pretzels, chicken salad sandwiches, fresh strawberries, and cookies.

We used candy, pinwheels, mini mailboxes, the printable set, and envelopes to decorate the house and lanai where the party was held. I think the most amazing thing about this party is that you can recreate it quite easily! All of the food was homemade or from the local grocery store, the decorations were handmade with the Love Letter's Printable set, the mini mailboxes (which I recently spotted in the $1 section of Target), and pinwheels from Twirlie Whirlies!"

If you want your own precious set of Kori's Valentine's Day printables, the printable {EDITABLE!} set is in her Etsy shop for 50% off through February 7th!! Normally $30, it is now $15.


Thank you SO MUCH again Kori!