Daily Inspiration: Meet Carol Reynolds

Today we’d like to introduce you to Carol Reynolds.

Hi Carol, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I have been an artist all of my life and credit my mother and my precious grandmother for being such amazing influencers. My grandmother loved to say, “Creativity is intelligence having fun!” She was the ultimate, imaginative crafter; someone who always thought outside the box. My mother was an incredible watercolor artist. Every aspect of the art world, from cultural art to architecture, to decorating, touched all aspects of her life. I watched and learned from these women, and soaked up every ounce of their creative spirit.

All three of the businesses I have been involved with over the years have begun literally by happenstance. I had the first antique booth, Harpethside Antiques, at the Factory in Franklin when it originally opened, and ran that until my two boys entered school. Then, in 2005, after becoming disenchanted with the quality and uniqueness of the Christmas decor being offered, I decided to try my hand at crafting my own holiday decor. My first attempt was a life-sized Santa Claus (I always think big!) whose face I sculpted with papier-mache and whom I dressed regally in antique clothing that I was able to source from my former antique dealer connections. Soon after, my precious friends asked me to design one for them, and within a few short weeks, I found myself being called “the Santa Claus Lady,” and Carol Reynolds Designs was born. That same year, Cheekwood showcased 15 of my Santa Clauses at its annual Christmas Festival. Eventually, my holiday line expanded to include all things Easter and Halloween related, and my Halloween witches are still haunting houses all over Nashville today!

After 10 years in business and more than 100 Santas later, I decided to take a creative break with plans of taking an entire year off. It was never my intention to start another business- much less one in such a competitive field and one that I knew nothing about! But, during my short-lived break, I fell in love all over again with painting, and coupling that with a fascination with graphic arts- somehow, Stone Cottage Paperie came to be, and I found myself fully immersed in the world of fine paper.

Originally, I focused on designing social stationery, which then blossomed into calendars, Christmas cards, birth announcements, and everything in between. When a good friend persuaded me to create a wedding suite for her daughter, I dared to venture in that direction. To say the least, the wedding stationery industry is overwhelming in itself. Only the very self-assured and well-informed survive the ever-growing sea of weddings… or someone who doesn’t know what she’s getting into- which was the case with me! But, I proceeded slowly and learned as much as I could over the years. Today, designing wedding suites is my primary business and my favorite projects on which to work.

My little Stone Cottage Paperie is now eight years old, and I am still having a “love affair” with fine paper, the clients I get to work with, and each new project that comes my way. My studio is my little sanctuary. I cannot wait to open my blue door every day and be able to paint like my mother, and think outside the box… like my Granny.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I think my road has been blessedly smooth, partly because of my naivete in the business world. Most would shudder to think that I didn’t start with certain goals or expectations – certainly, I didn’t have a financial or business plan… creative people just do not think like that! I didn’t put pressure on myself to “succeed.” I just wanted to enjoy the process and see where it might lead, and I have been rewarded every time I have led with those thoughts.

I also have not had what I would call “struggles” along the way. I would categorize what I have experienced more as learning curves. For example, I had to learn everything about the paper and printing industries before I could be a serious stationer. In the beginning, there was a lot of trial and error- and I have stacks of notebooks filled with every detail you can imagine on how to produce a product of quality- one to which I would be proud to attach my name. Sourcing the best vendors and getting to know them on a personal level has also proved to be a tremendous benefit to my business.

The only real struggle I have is finding time to properly enhance my social media presence and attend regularly to my website which always seems to need updating. I’d rather be spending my time creating something beautiful for a client. Knowing that I can give each one of them a truly “bespoke” experience, is the heartbeat of my business. I know I am a small fish in a big pond. But, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

How do you define success?
For me, it has never been about the concept of being a success. It has been more about the blessing of having found certain aspects of my life that have been so personally satisfying, and gratifying.

I open the door to my studio- and instantly find inspiration. I deliver a beautiful suite of wedding invitations to a bride – and we both feel joy. That is the feeling of success. My grandmother also used to say, “It’s never too late to be who you want to be.” I am who I want to be. That surely must be a success.

Contact Info:

• Website:stonecottagepaperie.com
• Instagram: @stonecottagepaperie