Stationery business locates in Sisters

A creative outlet has turned into a growing business for one Sisters woman.

The new Rexford Holly Stationers in the Town Square building is not only a new retail store; there is a design business behind it.

Sondy Rexford grew up in Sisters, then moved away to college and lived in New York. She worked as an interior designer and made distinctive cards on the side. Friends encouraged her to sell them. So Rexford entered the card market in a big way by attending the annual National Stationery Show in New York.

“I just went for it,” said Rexford of the convention, which is the major show for the greeting card and social stationery industry. There her work caught the attention of Modern Bride.

Since the debut of her stationery line three years ago, she has gathered more than 60 accounts across the country. Rexford’s notecards, invitations and birth announcements mix whimsy with traditional style.

“Since writing notes and using stationery is kind of a lost art, it’s fun to bring back the idea of that and make it fresh and exciting,” said Rexford.

Rexford produces a unique style by printing her designs on pure cotton paper stock with offset lithography.

“The colors are hand selected and sometimes hand mixed.”

She said a handwritten note on nice paper is a more distinctive way to send a message than by e-mail. She adds the stationery industry is doing well despite the increased use of computers.

“There’s certainly a market for it,” said Rexford. “It’s special because it doesn’t happen as often anymore.”

Rexford’s unique designs are enjoyed by celebrities. She has donated stationery for the gift bags at celebrity fundraising events. Rexford says it’s fun to know her cards are in the hands of someone like Clint Eastwood and she also enjoys being part of donating to charity.

The designer says she finds inspiration “everywhere” but especially credits her friends with sparking a new design. When they ask her to “design something special” or create a particular image, often new designs come out of that process.

Rexford’s store expands beyond her own designs to include wrapping paper, ribbon and specialty gifts.

The name of her business comes from combining her married and maiden names. She and her husband have returned to her childhood home of Sisters, not only for the sunny skies, but because their first baby is due “any day.” Rexford hopes to create her own schedule to keep both her retail and design businesses going.

Although she knows it’s a lot to have on her plate as a new mother, she thought the timing was right to open her retail shop.

“I figured if I don’t do this now, I’ll never do it,” said Rexford.

Her stationery designs can be found at http://www.rexfordholly.com.