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Every Little Something: Stunning Stationary Included
Every Little Something: Stunning Stationary Included
By Leslie VanSant
Since 2014, the business “Every Little Something” has been adding to the magic and romance of weddings around the world by creating bespoke invitations and announcements created and designed by owner and designer Nicole Ferguson.
After graduating with a degree in graphic design and advertising from Savannah College of Art and Design, Ferguson began her career as a designer at Edelman, a leading global advertising and public relations firm. The mostly digital work was interesting but something was always missing. In her free time, she was doing calligraphy and painting, usually watercolors.
“I wanted to be working in magazines or in paper. I’ve always been a person who chose to pick up paper and a pen over sending an email or text,” she said. “Growing up, I always had my own custom stationary and was encouraged to write letters and thank you notes. When I went to boarding school, my grandmother sent me weekly letters. When they would arrive, I instantly recognized her business hand and stationary. I kept all of those letters, and treasure them.”
After her own wedding in 2014, with what she describes as a “hideous” invitation, she decided to open an Etsy shop offering calligraphy and script. An inquiry shortly thereafter changed everything.
“A couple had seen my work online, and asked if I could design their wedding invitation,” she said. Inspired by the location, the resulting invitation was red like an Icelandic poppy.
From there, the business model changed from calligraphy to ultimately full service custom stationary design, primarly wedding invitations.
Her designs are intentional and tell a story of the couple. Each invitation is unique. The invitation package includes design, printing, assembling, stamping, calligraphy and addressing. Some couples also ask her to create custom stationary and thank you notes.
Based in her home studio, the business has grown with support from her husband, Fred, and other employees. Sourcing paper from the United Kingdom, Europe and across the U.S., she does foil printing in the studio and has a partner who does other types of printing.
When the opportunity to open a retail space in Middleburg arrived last May, the Aldie resident grabbed it. “It made sense,” she said. “My work is creating tangible goods.”
Every Little Something’s retail shop is located between the Middleburg Antique Emporium and the Atlantic Union Bank. It’s fitting that it’s the same space that once was home to legendary jeweler and engraver, the late Lee Cross. The shop also begins to fill some of the gaps left in Middleburg since The Fun Shop closed last year, offering art supplies, journals, sketch books, hostess gifts, and of course, stationary and note cards featuring Ferguson’s original artwork and designs as well as others.
“In the shop, you can see what people are drawn to,” she said. “What surprises and delights them. It’s also been a treat as some of my past wedding clients have visited the shop, and I’ve met them in person for the first time.”
To prepare for their first Christmas in Middleburg, Every Little Something has added papier maché ornaments and gift wrap to their inventory. A mother of two, Ferguson said that one day, she’d like to offer letter writing workshops.
“My children have their own stationary,” she said, “but my daughter personalizes each note she writes with drawings or stickers in addition to words. The result is a treasure.”
Details: Every Little Something is located at 109 W. Washington Street, Middleburg and online at www.everylittlesomething.com
