Founder of London card, gift and stationery boutique, Oh Squirrel will be exploring the art of handwriting at Saturday’s StationeryFest in one of the many workshops
The love of stationery unites many and Oh Squirrel’s Katie Wagstaff is right up there with her appreciation of pens and notebooks – as well as the important art of handwriting.
And, while gearing up for showing her greeting cards and wares at Harrogate Home & Gift, over 21-24 July, Katie is going slightly west first this weekend to extoll her love of handwriting as a speaker at the consumer-facing StationeryFest event in Manchester Central Convention Complex this weekend.
The one-day B2C event on Saturday, 29 June, offers peace and power through paper and pens and is for anyone who appreciates stationery, organisation, creativity and productivity, and has returned for a second outing with over 90 exhibitors, more than double the number who took part in 2023.
Katie, who is a publisher as well as running her own retail shop in Walthamstow which she opened in March graced by her own handwritten logo, said: “What a year! Opening the shop and being asked to talk at StationeryFest – I chose the subject of handwriting as it’s something so important to both myself and my brand, and I have lots to say on the subject!”
Now well known for her handwriting which is used for Oh Squirrel’s products as well as personal commissions, Katie ran online classes during the pandemic to promote the art as a mindful activity, and was also at London’s Fortnum & Mason department store earlier this year, handwriting cards for Valentine’s Day alongside the collection of her hand-lettered designs that were on sale.
At StationeryFest Katie will be exploring the art of handwriting with members of the public which she believes needs to be preserved, and sharing examples of beautiful scripts from her squirrelled away collection of postcards and ephemera, along with detailing how handwriting is special to her and showing how her own has evolved with tips on how to create your own signature style.
“Just to be super clear,” she added, “this is not calligraphy, it’s definitely handwriting – something I’ll be covering in the talk too.”
Katie’s Oh Squirrel brand will be one of the stalls selling stationery planning and journalling goodies, while indie retailer and loyal StationeryFest supporter Sarah Laker will also be showcasing and selling a range of products from her Stationery Supplies stores in Marple and Wilmslow.
Visitors who buy tickets to StationeryFest can also join the four creativity stations with opportunities to demo products, learn new skills and get creative in different ways.
The organisers said: “We believe in the peace and power of paper and pens – for planning, journalling and creativity. Good stationery makes the world a happier place! If you agree come and meet your tribe in this extravaganza of pen and paper-related products.”
