Losing my contract felt like a door slamming shut.
After 25 years in the not‑for‑profit sector, it was a shock — the kind that knocks the wind out of you and leaves you wondering what comes next....and also I was 25 years older in the job market!
What I didn’t expect was that the pause would become a turning point.
A moment to breathe.
A moment to rebuild.
A moment to rediscover what genuinely brings me joy.
From that unexpected space, Bookmark Stationery was born.
What started as “keeping busy” slowly became a creative spark… and then a full‑blown obsession with beautiful stationery, delicate details, and the magic of mindful moments.
Working from home became my happy place again.
Curating soft colours, thoughtful textures, and little luxuries for fellow stationery lovers became something that grounded me — and reminded me that reinvention can be gentle, playful, and deeply fulfilling.
I’m now handpicking and building a stationery collections that reflects everything I love: soft, dopamine‑pastel palettes, pieces that make everyday life feel a little more beautiful and I handpick products with intention and heart - lets face it pastel fashion for your desk makes your day that little bit better 😍
Supporting Aotearoa makers and suppliers is a huge part of the dream. I’m slowly growing my NZ‑sourced range, and while I still bring in some items from overseas as the shop finds its feet, keeping it local — or supporting NZ businesses wherever possible — is always the goal.
Bookmark Stationery is small, cheeky, and proudly obsessed.
A little unexpected for someone who has spent decades working in the not for profit sector — but it’s mine, and I love it.
Losing my contract felt like a door slamming shut.
But this little business has shown me that sometimes the detour becomes the destination.
And now I’m here to happily fuel everyone’s stationery addiction.
To sum up - out of a pretty devastating moment came this tiny, cheeky nugget of a business that now fuels my whole creative soul. Don’t be scared to change direction — sometimes the plot twist is the best part.