Antiquaria x Card Designer Spotlight

The Card Designer Spotlight is a series featuring independent makers whose greeting cards you can find in Paper Source stores. Meet and be inspired by a new designer every month on our blog! 

This month, we're thrilled to spotlight Emma James, Co-Founder of Antiquaria. What began as a passion project while creating her own wedding invitations has since blossomed into a thriving business of stationery, crafting & more. 

How did Antiquaria start?

"Antiquaria began in 2010 after Bailey and I collaborated on my own wedding invitations—she did the calligraphy, I designed the suite, and we clicked so seamlessly that we decided to turn our creative chemistry into a business. What started as a shared passion for calligraphy, illustration, and stationery has grown into a full-fledged studio and product line. Bailey brings her incredible talent for calligraphy, lettering and business, while I focus on illustration, pattern design, and art direction. Together, we’ve built a brand rooted in craftsmanship, creativity, and heart. Over the years, Antiquaria has grown from a custom design studio into a wide range of products—from stationery to embroidery kits to painting kits—all designed to inspire creativity and connection in the everyday."

Where do you draw inspiration from?
"Everywhere. My biggest sparks come from the natural world—gardens, deserts, the ocean, the changing seasons. Travel always fuels me, too; I love wandering through new towns, noticing colors, textures, and little details. I’m also endlessly inspired by history, vintage ephemera, and folk crafts. Those influences find their way into my illustrations, patterns, and card designs, weaving together something that feels both timeless and fresh."

What does your day look like as a card maker and designer? What is your favorite part?
"No two days look exactly the same, but most include a mix of drawing, painting, and the business side of running a studio. Some days I’m sketching new illustrations or working on surface pattern designs; others I’m styling products, writing copy, or checking in with our team. My favorite part is hands down the creative flow—when I’m fully immersed in making. Recently, developing our painting kits has brought me back to working with watercolor and gouache by hand, and rediscovering that process has been incredibly joyful. It feels like coming full circle."

What does your creative process look like?
"It usually starts with a seed of inspiration: a flower I saw in the garden, a vintage textile, or even a phrase I want to capture. I’ll make loose pencil sketches, then refine the drawings with ink, watercolor, or gouache. For the past few years, I’ve primarily created illustrations on my iPad Pro, which I love for its flexibility and speed. But recently, through developing our newest product—painting kits—I’ve found my way back to traditional painting. Watercolor and gouache remain my favorite mediums for their richness and painterly quality, and reconnecting with them has been both grounding and inspiring."

Any personal tidbits?
"When I’m not working on designs, I’m usually in Mom mode with my two kids, who keep life wonderfully full (they're 3 and 12). I spend a lot of time daydreaming about projects I want to make—quilts, paintings, embroidery, you name it—even if I don’t always have the time to bring them all to life. Any spare moments I can steal away are usually spent at the barn with my paint horse, Rebel, who’s as much a muse as he is a companion. Fun quirk: I can spot a vintage textile treasure from across a flea market and I love collecting little vintage bits and bobs to use in photo shoots and mood boards. "

Find cards from Antiquaria at your local store of online at papersource.com. Here are some of our favorites Meowdy Birthday Card, Magnolia Mr. & Mrs. Card, & Cactus Sunset Thank You Card. Feel inspired and follow Paper Source and Antiquaria on Instagram.