Invited by LamaWorks

03/09/2024

Christy’s kind words remind me why I love what I do! 🌟 Whether your order is large or small, I treat each one with the same level of care and attention.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Every design goes through digital proofs to ensure you absolutely love it before we go to print. I'm not just a faceless Etsy shop that sends your order to you. I'm a woman making connections with you and making sure you not only love your design, but made the right selections from those drop down menus - hey, it happens!

Christy wanted thank-you cards that perfectly matched her wedding colors, and we made it happen with patience and detail. I'm here to bring your vision to life, no matter how many revisions it takes. Your happiness is always the priority! 💌

29/08/2024

Bold typography is making waves in the world of wedding stationery, and I'm here for it! 🖤 If you're looking to make a statement, unique letter options and modern bold fonts might be just what your wedding suite needs. These eye-catching designs offer a fresh alternative to traditional calligraphy, giving your invitations a contemporary edge that still feels timeless.

Pair these striking fonts with vintage-inspired envelope liners for a perfect blend of old and new. And let’s not forget how incredible these bold styles look in letterpress—deep impressions that add texture and depth, making every detail pop.

Ready to mix modern vibes with classic elegance? Let's create something unforgettable together. 💌

27/08/2024

When it comes to thank you cards, there are so many ways to express your gratitude in style! Do you prefer a classic monogram to add that personal touch? Or maybe you lean towards a simple "thank you" that lets the message speak for itself? I'd love to know—what's your style when it comes to thank you cards?​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Drop your preference in the comments below: ✨ Monogrammed ✨ Simple Thank You ✨ Something else entirely?

Let’s create something that perfectly reflects your unique style! 💌

26/08/2024

Hey friends! It's so nice to meet you! I'll be the first to admit that I didn't intend to become a stationery designer, I really fell into it.

I've got a degree in biomedical engineering - 2 actually. A masters degree specializing in neuromechanics and rehab engineering.

I was working as en engineering in Chicago and always crafted as a hobby - for time reference - this was about 2008. A friend of mine told me about this "Etsy website thing" where crafters could sell stuff they made online.

I was knitting a lot back then and sold a hat and then another one and then a scarf and it was FUN.

We decided to move to my husband's much smaller home town and there just wasn't a career here for me - and with starting a family on the horizon, we decided I should give this Etsy thing a shot. Knitting turned to card making turned to invitation design and I never looked back.

I volunteer for Junior Achievement from time to time and my message is always the same - It's OK to not know what you want to do. It's OK to change your mind after you've gotten a degree. It's OK to try something big and bold and new. What you need is the determination to try and the willingness to learn.

I love what I do and I'm SO grateful I've landed on my feet in the stationery world :)

21/08/2024

As the holiday season approaches, it's more important than ever to get ahead on your wedding stationery. Early booking not only gives you plenty of time for revisions but also helps you avoid the last-minute rush. By planning and ordering your invitations now, you’ll have everything finalized before the holidays, ensuring that your wedding invites don’t get lost in the shuffle of holiday cards. 🌟 Start early, stay stress-free, and let your invitations shine!

Ready to get started? Book your spot today! 💌

19/08/2024

I am living for watercolor designs these days! From bright and bold, to soft and delicate - so much balance goes into each watercolor design and I'm happy to work with you on customizing these designs to fit what you need! ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​If the Virginia hydrangeas look like just too much for you - let's take them off of the invitation, keep the text crisp and clean and just use small hydrangea elements. Not into the floral liners? Cool, take them out! I offer as much flexibility as I can.

So many great designs yet to come!

09/08/2024

I'm thinking of adding a line of vellum wraps to the shop! ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​yes?
no?

Design requests???

06/08/2024

Introducing the Nicole suite! With a flourished frame and vintage flowers sprinkled throughout, it’s perfect for creating that romantic, secret garden feel.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Winter brides, is this the one for you? Let’s chat! Schedule a time on my calendar (link in bio) and we’ll go over all the paper details that make your heart swoon ✨

01/08/2024

Love at first sight! 😍 I can't stop gushing over the hand-torn edges and soft watercolor floral elements of this invitation. The pop of color in the envelope liner is just the cherry on top. Plus, it looks absolutely stunning in letterpress. And can we take a moment to appreciate the gorgeous green envelope that pairs perfectly with white or black ink? 😍

Open the envelope and be transported to a blooming garden in spring. The intricate details of the watercolor florals on the invitation are breathtaking. The hand-torn edges gave the invite a whimsical, ethereal feel, and I can't help but imagine the magical celebration that awaits the lucky couple.

The rich and luxurious texture of the paper adds a sense of elegance and sophistication to the design. Overall, this invitation is a true work of art - want to work with it for your wedding - just let me know! You can skip the hand dorn edges to save your budget or add in all the bells and whistles - whatever works best for you.

30/07/2024

Hand drawn or watercolor? Which art style floats your boat?

Are you a fan of the clean lines and classic look of hand drawn line art 🎨 or do you prefer the vibrant colors and whimsical feel of watercolor motifs 🌈? Either way, we have you covered!

22/07/2024

I'm always planning ahead and this sweet design is coming at you in August! If you're looking for soft florals, you'll love this one!

Interested in ordering before August, shoot me a message and I'll send you more photos!

17/07/2024

🍂✨ Sneak Peek Alert! ✨🍂

Excited to introduce the stunning color palette of our latest collection, featuring a fall watercolor crest adorned with dreamy dusty blues, delicate pinks, and soft peaches. This palette perfectly captures the romantic essence of autumn, blending warmth and elegance in every brushstroke.

Stay tuned as I reveal more of this enchanting collection later this month. Trust me, you won't want to miss it! 💌🍁

12/07/2024

As we roll into the weekend, consider this.

"Gratitude turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity... it makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow." – Melody Beattie

Never underestimate the power of saying thank you or telling someone that you appreciate them.

Thank you notes for sale at -->
https://lamaworks.etsy.com/listing/1742330797

Have a great weekend everyone!

29/06/2024

I'm heading out on vacation!

If you have any orders that are due to ship out - have no fear! Kristin is still in the studio part of the week and is getting those shipped out as scheduled.

Have a great holiday week everyone!

25/06/2024

🍂 This or That? 🍂​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Fall weddings are all about embracing the beauty of the season, and I’ve got two stunning invitation suites that do just that. Which one speaks to your style?

Option 1: Traditional Elegance

This suite features a timeless design with just text and a simple monogram. Perfect for couples who love classic sophistication and a touch of tradition.

Option 2: Botanical Beauty

For those who want to celebrate the season in full bloom, this suite showcases a unique illustration of fall botanical flowers. The vibrant artwork takes up most of the design space, creating a captivating and artistic feel.

Both designs reflect the magic of fall in their own unique way. Which one would you choose for your special day?

Comment below with your favorite: 🍁 for Traditional Elegance or 🌿 for Botanical Beauty!

25/06/2024

24/06/2024

Hi there! I’m Laura Mays, your dedicated stationery designer with a passion for creating elegant, semi-custom wedding invitations that perfectly capture the essence of your wedding day.

For over a decade, I’ve had the joy of helping couples bring their wedding visions to life through timeless and personalized designs. My journey in stationery design began in 2008, and I’ve cherished every moment dreaming up beautiful designs and bringing them to life.

I believe that every wedding invitation should be a reflection of the couple’s journey, and I’m here to make sure that yours is nothing short of perfect. From complimentary printed proofs and professional proofreading to unlimited revisions, I’m committed to ensuring every detail is just right.

When I’m not in my studio creating, you can find me enjoying time with my family, reading all the books and working on any craft project I can get my hands on.

Thank you for joining me on this creative journey. I can’t wait to work together and make your wedding dreams a reality!

19/06/2024

✨ Start Early: Why Booking Your Wedding Stationery Is Crucial! ✨

Planning your wedding involves a multitude of details, and your stationery sets the tone for your wedding day. Booking your wedding invitations 4-8 months ahead is key to ensuring everything goes smoothly. Here's why:

🌸 Time for Customization: Creating a unique design tailored to your vision takes time. From initial conversations and questions to printed proofs, every step requires careful consideration.

🌸 Avoiding Last-Minute Stress: Early booking means ample time for revisions, printing, and addressing. This helps avoid the last-minute rush and ensures your invitations are perfect.

🌸 Better Vendor Availability: If you're looking to add on a custom venue sketch or a calligrapher, theses vendors can book up quickly and we'll need to plan around their lead time.

🌸 Handling Unexpected Delays: Whether it’s a change in your guest list or a need for extra invitations, having a buffer period helps manage any unforeseen issues without stress.

🌸 Coordinating with Other Vendors: Invitations often need to align with other wedding elements like florals and decor. Starting early ensures a cohesive and beautiful wedding aesthetic.

Don’t let time slip away – book your wedding stationery early to create a seamless and stunning experience!

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10/06/2024

2020 gave us a lot of time to evaluate life right? Well I started thinking about how my business ran - what was harder than it needed to be? What felt chaotic? What could I do to make it less stressful?

I started dreaming of The Classic Collection. I don't call it that anymore, but that's where everything you see today came from.

- simple designs - no more layers or pockets
- curated options - you don't need 150 envelope colors to choose from, you just need my best
- flexibility to customize with add ons, colors and crests
- predictable paper colors and a new print partner to ease my work load and give me more flexibility

Every month I start with an invitation design - sometimes it comes from an idea sparked by another design, sometimes it's a set of artwork I have my eye on, sometimes it's filling a gap for a style I don't sell.

From there I work my way down that design list - very systematically scheduled throughout each week. That list continues to grow and change, so if you see a design that doesn't have ALL of those things, just ask!

Say hello to the Taylor collection! She was created throughout the month of May and is enjoying her June launch. There are a few stationery sets in this one that are already buzzing in the shop!

28/05/2024

Hey friends!!! It's been a hot minute since I've been online - let's say that May with 5 kids is no joke. It has been non-stop rehearsals, recitals, parties and graduations - all good things!

We're done with school for the year and I wanted to let you know that summer hours are now in place!!

My business has shifted a bit in the last 6 months in a great way. I've got more that I'm designing and sending out to print, and less that I need meetings and in studio print time for, so I'm spending as much time as I can working from home with the kids!

What does that mean?

- it means I'll get a solid work block in for sure every day from about 5-8am - you'll find me processing new orders and working on new designs

- it means I'll likely have one other 3 hour block some time during the day but that will change daily based on our pool mood - during this time you'll find me returning messages and ordering printed goods

- I may pop in to my inbox on the weekends here and there to stay on top of messages

- it means my amazing production assistant Kristin is at the studio mailing boxes out 2-3 mornings each week

You'll find me for sure in the studio every Tuesday morning and other days as needed, but I'm trying to keep it very much to a minimum so I can enjoy this time home with my people - swimming, reading and just enjoying the beautiful weather.

If you can't find me, check my front porch swing .... you'll find me with a good book. The best perks or being a small business owner - doing what works for you in the season that you're in right NOW. Cheers to summer!!

16/05/2024

Day of details!

If you want to create a wedding that is stunning, it's full of little details.

Where can you use cute tags like these?
- welcome bags
- wedding party gifts
- favors
- wrapped around your napkins
- tied to your champagne flutes
- tied to each chair
- showers and engagement parties

It's a pretty low cost, low effort way to add a personalized touch.

PRO TIP - make them generic enough that you can use them beyond your wedding day!

07/05/2024

Thanks SO much for your review Hannah! I absolutely seeing these come in!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​I know I post mostly wedding stationery around here, but did you know that nearly half of my revenue these days is actually in stationery and thank you cards???

YES!! I started leaning into them more last year as I worked on full invitation collections - thank you stationery was part of that for sure and they have really taken off as stand alone products around here! You'll find everything from more generic cards to personalized stationery sets with monograms to gorgeous florals.

What's your thank you card vibe?

02/05/2024

Your wedding invitations are a window into who you are and what yoru wedding will be like. I get a lot of neutral weddings - like a lot. Soft blue, sage, very clean and monochrome, and there for SURE is a place for that - but what if your wedding is vibrant?​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​There is a LOT we can do to showcase your love for color!

GRACE - the Grace collection has some great watercolor florals that are bright and playful with some messy whimsical drawn edges. Pair it with a cobalt blue envelope or fuchsia to make it really stand out in the mail.

CATHERINE - Shown here as Ashley, it's part of a larger collection full of vibrant wildflowers. Poppies, daffodils, wild roses - all in gorgeous colors that give you a pop of pastel without being too bold.

HANNAH - this one is new in the digital template shop! The whole collection features a Mediterranean vibe full of oranges and greenery. There is also a lemon version! Should I list this one in my printed designs too??

Showcasing your personality through wedding stationery adds a special touch to your big day. Whether it's bold colors, elegant typography, or playful motifs, there's a design for every couple. Let's bring your vision to life and create stationery that truly reflects who you are. 💕

29/04/2024

You get a flute photo today because I had a chamber concert yesterday with the Quincy Concert Band!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Music is my soul.

Concert band, at church, in a pit orchestra, chamber groups - I love ALL OF IT.

You'll find me playing at church most weekends
You'll find me this summer playing with the Quincy Park Band
You'll also find me in the pit for Newsies at QCT
I'll play just about any time and anywhere I'm asked to - I'm THAT in love

Fun fact - my husband and I officially met in the Marquette band, but we didn't start dating until he joined the Liturgical Choir to 'meet some girls' a few years later ;)

Happy Monday friends!

26/04/2024

Today I want to introduce you to Alex and Vincent!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​I had the pleasure of working on a semi-custom invitation suite for their October wedding and I was SO excited to see it all come together!

They were looking for a classic and traditional design, a monogram and wanted to incorporate a blue floral pattern without the whole thing screaming FLOWERS ya know?

We used letterpress on a gorgeous double thick cardstock for that elegant formal touch. Then we added their monogram and flowers to the back of the details card for a pop of something unexpected. We tied those flowers into the design with just a small accent on the RSVP card and it was perfection!

What custom details can we add to YOUR invitation design?

12/04/2024

Let's talk about customization options today! Working with me, you have flexibility.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​I can't necessarily change the colors of the flowers specficially in a design, but I can use a different style of wreath - so replace the Melissa invitation wreath with the one from the bridal shower.

Or I can use the fonts and layout of Melissa, but use the flowers from Theresa.

or I can use the Catherine suite, but frame it out so it has a more clipped edge, less organic.

I have SO MANY floral arrangements in my collection,many that you maybe don't even see in my listings!

Don't ever hesitate to ask for a change like that! Worst case you may have a small custom fee for purchasing new flowers and arranging them into a wreath, but many times I already have what we need and it's a simple switch.

08/04/2024

I saw this review come in from Caitlin the other day and I just knew I had to share it. Part of the reason you work with someone like me is because I'm a person. I'm a real person with real connections to my clients and I do what I can to make sure everything goes smoothly.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​But beyond that, I WORK with other humans too. I can't take full credit on this one at ALL. I work with other small businesses in my production that are just ALL STARS.

Caitlin used the Virgina suite (2nd photo)

is always SO fast at getting my digital prints shipped out and they have THE BEST customer service you'll find if there are any issues with your order.

Caitlin used the Virginia suite in letterpress, so Printswell got those beautiful florals printed and then mailed over to Emily at for the final letterpress of the text.

Emily and I were working between her vacation and mine that were awkwardly 2 weeks apart and she not only created an awesome print for me, but she got it out the door in record time to help me out with my own deadlines.

I can partner with many, many print partners, and these two? They're fantastic and they make ME look awesome too. Thanks guys!!!

03/04/2024

Let's talk about the Virginia collection today - she is one of my favorites for SO many reasons!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​1. The delicate shades of blue and green evoke a sense of tranquility, making it perfect for couples seeking a serene yet elegant aesthetic for their wedding invitations. Each brushstroke tells a story of romance and beauty, setting the tone for a celebration filled with love and joy with a touch of botanical charm.

1. The magic of letterpress! As a stationery enthusiast, I'm absolutely smitten by how this collection comes to life with the luxurious letterpress printing. The depth and texture it adds to the intricate designs elevate the entire suite to new heights of sophistication. Whether it's the invitation itself or the accompanying details cards, each piece exudes a timeless elegance that speaks volumes about your wedding style. Trust me, there's something truly special about running your fingers over the raised impressions of letterpress—it's an experience like no other.

3. Scalloped edges on the thank you cards!It's the little details like these that make all the difference, infusing your gratitude with a dash of personality and charm.

4. Whimsical details. Not everything has to be symmetrical and center aligned - allow your boho, carefree personality shine through with a less strictly formal design.

Bring a touch of whimsical elegance to your wedding stationery. Shop the Virginia Collection now! 🌿

https://www.invitedbylamaworks.com/collections/virginia