What Fills My Cup As A Stationery Designer

What Fills My Cup

Since my article in the local newspaper went live, I've been approached with many congratulations and well wishes (you guys rock!) The article laid out what I do and why I do it; but didn't talk about what fuels me to keep going.

There are simple, ordinary, ritual type things that refill me. That remind me why I started. That make me pull up a fresh sheet and get back to work with a full heart. Here are 6 of them:

01. Coffee. Literally.

No need to dress this one up 😆 A good cup of coffee is, without question, part of how I begin. That first quiet moment of the morning, warm mug in hand, no rush. (just thinking about it has me excited for tomorrow morning - HA!) It sets the tone for everything that follows. My creativity doesn’t always arrive dramatically, sometimes it shows up slowly. This slow morning coffee ritual gives the creativity the space it needs. (It’s a small ritual, but small rituals matter. (You’ll notice that’s a recurring theme around here.)

02. The Outdoors. Our Beautiful Mama.

Nature has always been one of my greatest loves & creative teachers. The way light filters through leaves in the early morning, the colors of a season changing, the effortless texture of bark, stone, dried florals. God & Mother Nature are quite the duo. A dream design team. 🌱

When I'm stuck in a creative block, stepping outside, more than likely barefoot, almost always helps. There’s a reason so much of OrgaNick’s aesthetic feels grounded and organic. I’m taking notes from the world around me!

03. Jesus.

I won’t skip over this one, because it’s the most foundational thing on this list. My faith isn’t separate from my work, it’s the basis of it. God gave me the love of paper. I'm sharing that with all of you! A handwritten note that says “I’m thinking of you”, yeah that comes from somewhere deeper than good design instincts.

OrgaNick Studio exists because I believe connection is sacred. I’m grateful every day for the ability to do work that reflects that.

04. Creative Freedom.

Free-range creative sessions are where some of my best work has been born. A color combination I wouldn’t have planned. A layout that breaks the grid in exactly the right way. Being your own boss means protecting that space — and I’ve learned it’s worth protecting fiercely.

05. The Unboxing of a Final Product.

You know that feeling when you open a package and everything is exactly right? That’s the feeling I’m chasing every time a new product comes in! If my jaw doesn't drop, it isn't right. If I don't get giddy goosebumps, it's not right. 😆

When I hold a finished card for the first time, feel the weight of it, see the ink sitting just right on the paper, notice how the colors translated from screen to print,  it genuinely never gets old. That moment of “oh, this is real now” is one of the purest rewards this work offers. It’s why I care so much about quality in every single piece that goes out from this studio. 

Bring able to share the final with all of you when it hits the product line, pure joy.

06. Giving Clients Personalized Hardware.

This one might surprise people, but it shouldn't. When I’m able to hand a client something truly made for them, the reaction is always worth it!!

Personalized hardware takes something from “beautiful” to “entirely yours.” It elevates the whole experience. And watching a client realize that their 'name/brand' now lives on a physical tool they’ll use for years? That’s the kind of joy that fills my cup all the way to the top.

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Keep it OrgaNick,

Nicklaus