Paper and Milk
Play with stickers? That sounds like fun!
Paper and Milk was founded in 2016 and began as a hobby project. I started with only a handful of sticker designs that grew into thousands of sticker sheets over the next nearly 6.5 years. Primarily focused on the analog paper planner community, my products bring a whimsical style to decorative planning or journaling in notebooks. Adding stickers and other decorative elements can make organizing both functional and fun, while simultaneously creating a keepsake of memories to look back on.
In 2016, I spontaneously opened an Etsy shop because I had gotten into decorating paper planners, and I “needed” stickers to mark getting boba. So I decided to design my own and try selling them (because everyone likes boba right?!). I had no background in business or design. I had no real understanding of product manufacturing, but I started with a small following on Instagram and an idea.
While I should’ve been studying for my nursing board exam, I focused more on learning Adobe Illustrator and producing stickers. I remember asking Brian, my boyfriend, in the car, “I know this is going to sound like a weird idea, but what if I opened a sticker store on Etsy?”. He said, “Let’s do it!”.
And that’s how my shop Paper and Milk was born.
Fast forward to today. After many, many frustrating nights of machines not working, threatening myself to permanently close the shop, and juggling it with a full-time job, my little at-home business grew to over 11,000 sales. I’ve traveled and met so many amazing makers and crafters who inspire me daily. I found happiness and genuine curiosity to improve my craft.
My sticker sheets draw inspiration from many different sources, including yummy desserts, lettering/calligraphy, and my foggy home of San Francisco, CA 🌉. I love holidays, especially Christmas! So always be on the lookout for new themed sheets, and one of my favorite things to draw is a toasty little marshmallow named Maru who loves to go on adventures (which just so happen to coincide with some of my favorite activities, like traveling, hiking, skiing, or just lounging around).
