Coasting — by Guest Mom Girl con Queso
First of all, I'd like to thank Gabrielle for inviting me to the party. I'm really excited to be here. Really. Although, I must admit, I am feeling real pressure to represent all that is good, cool and designilicious. I mean, this is THE Design Mom's site. And a designer I am not. (Although I do work with many fabulously talented ones) All that said, I'm feeling a little like the clueless kid who brazenly snuck into the soiree. So. Thanks for offering me some punch.
And speaking of punch and its accessories, I'm sure most of you are fully aware that coasters are not just for beverages anymore. I discovered this a few years ago at Snow & Graham. And now, it seems they're completely the new black.
You can use them for any and everything.
Note cards.
Invitations.
Gift cards.
And the list goes on.
Almost three Christmases ago, I purchased approximately 100 impressively cool paper coasters for about $5 at Target's after Holiday sale. Think pub coasters with a mod design imprinted on the front. Red letterpress-style (although for that price, definitely not letterpress) with "Comfort and Joy", "Ho Ho Ho" and "Deck the Halls" written in white.
Then last Christmas, we decided to have a casual/come-and-go Christmas cocktail party, and I realized they'd be the perfect invitations. I pulled them out, scratched out some clever invite on the back, stuck each in a clear velum envelope, and we were in business. I used the excess as coasters at the party. Perfect. I still have a few left over, so I'm thinking this year the rest will be used as gift cards. Or something.
What different uses have you found for pulp board or heavy cardboard coasters?
What other interesting items have you ever used for invitations, notepads, gift cards, grocery lists, etc.?
I know you guys have some good tips, tricks, and brilliant tidbits to share. So, by all means, teach this party crasher something. Do tell!
Find the coasters pictured at: Snow & Graham, Plum Party, Paper Cup Design, & Sesame Letterpress.
posted by Gabrielle of Design Mom at Monday, November 06, 2006
13 Comments:
I love those coaster invites...they are sooo cute! Congrats on the guest blogging gig...enjoy it!
I love the ideas for coaster uses. I never even thought of those things, which is the reason I need Design Mom's blog! :) I really like your blog too (found you through Design Mom a few months ago). I'm excited to read your guest posts this week.
P.S. Design Mom - I think the necklace and hair pin would be fabulous on me! :)
When I was an event planner, for a music-oriented launch we did a music theme invite. I went to the 1/2 price store and garage sales and bought little records (whatever the small single ones are). We cleaned them off and removed the old labels with nail polish removers and exacto knives. We had labels made with the invite information on it, and stuck them on. It was my I'm 23 years-old, let's-impress-the-boss-with-how-clever-I-am idea and it was a LOT of work. But, it looked really cute!
And I haven't been crafty since.
Great idea. I'll have to keep my eye out for some cute coasters.
Thanks!
How inspiring. I've never really had a need for coasters, until now!
Very cool idea, Super Zoe.
And Erin, I too have never really been a big coaster consumer. Until now.
I'm going to email you another use for a coaster. I happen to have a picture of The Hurricane utilizing a coaster as a pacifier in Galveston!
Brother Con Queso
Love all the coaster ideas. We throw a Christmas party every year, and the invitations have to be great. This is inspiring. Did you just write directly on with something like a Sharpie?
The best thing I ever did with pulpboard was for a client who owned a flower shop. We had pristine white postcard-size boards letterpressed with the most lovely shade of red and sent them out as a holiday promotion. The red & white contrast was intense. They were so great to get in the mail — so beautiful mixed in with the regular bills and junk mail.
If I had a clothing line, I would want to work pulp board into the pricetags/branding tags.
Coasters are awesome. I wonder what kind of potential there would be for the use of Coasters instead of buisness cards because that'd be cool.
Ralph, Exactly! I wrote the invite on the back like you would write an idea or a phone number on a napkin...or a coaster even. It really did turn out great. I tried to print something on paper and attach it, but it just didn't have the same effect.
And very cool holiday promotion. I so love pulpboard too. It's so substantial. Or something.
Mark, I love the coasters as business cards idea!!
Oh and BcQ, that's the most fantastic photo.
Great idea...I am going to "borrow" it for my next girls' poker night. :)
How about a baby announcement?
http://static.flickr.com/111/288420670_3352576861_m.jpg
This is from Sesame Letterpress too :)
Love the coaster gift tag idea! My contribution is that I love to make shrinky dinks into little gift tags, or put little messages on them, it's still fun even though I'm not seven anymore... :)
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