Julie H.
Yelp
I've worked at the Paper Source in some capacity for over a year as both a customer service associate and workshop instructor.
Paper Source is a "chain" store based out of Chicago, started by Sue Lindstrom (the quirky lady you see demo'ing on the PS website). There are 22 stores across the U.S. and PS has been slowly but steadily growing over the past 15+ years. If you've ever seen "Waste Not" products in other stationery stores (The Written Word, Tabletop, Pulp) those are from Paper Source, too!
On the main floor, and what most people seem to know Paper Source for, are stocks of greeting cards by the bundle and of an ever-varying style. Stock changes as we get new cards in, so I've taken to buying cards on a whim and saving them up until the right occasion. The first floor is also home to KOLO albums and scrapbooks, ribbons and embellishments, journals, office supplies, novelties, teas, books (art, coffee table, how-to, novelty, etc), bookbinding supplies, and allllll the flat paper you can ever want to have (which ranges in price from $2.50-$12.00 a sheet, depending on style).
If you don't meander upstairs you're likely missing out - PS has over 40 colors (with fun names like "Night" or "Rhubarb") in a myriad of sizes and styles of card and envelope. The second floor also houses pre-printed stationery and invitation sets, wedding invitation options galore, embellishments (eyelets, brads, paper punches, tape, scissors, stickers, rub-on letters and designs), scrapbooking stuff, rubber stamps, origami paper, pens/markers and a few other "in-betweens". I personally love envelope liners and templates. There's something about making your own envelope with magazine pages, or lining a boring envelope with cupcake paper that totally motivates me to write more letters, send more cards, and wow people with my awesome creativity (which is perhaps the biggest secret of all, as those things only take five minutes to do).
Planning a party, wedding, new job, business? Everyone at PS is more than happy to help you work through your project whether or not you have no idea or too many ideas for what you want. Building something from scratch, working with pre-printed cards and kits, or letting PS take care of the printing - there's a ton of different options and combinations for any project or event here. Despite having never been through the milestones myself, I can confidently say I could throw a surprise 50th birthday party, baby or bridal shower, wedding, or bat mitzvah and create a bazillion different invitations, favors, and decorations all from PS. There really is no limit the possibilities of paper.
Near and dear to my heart are the Workshops. If I had a dollar for every time I heard someone utter, "I'm not creative," I would probably be able to buy everything the store. In response, PS offers workshops in everything from bookbinding to cardmaking, paper flowers to wrapping gifts. Most classes are three hours and range in price from $45-85 - you'll learn from experts, be provided all your materials needed, and walk away with great ideas, tricks, and tips to get started on your own projects. The classes is fun and easy; you receive a 10% off coupon to use in the store, and classes here are much cheaper than taking a class from an art school in the area. Check out the website to find out what classes are coming up in DC or Alexandria.
The most frustrating part for shoppers and employees alike? Stock. You can't predict when someone will come in planning a 1,000 invitation event and wipe out your supply of Chocolate envelopes, leaving the bride-to-be who walks into the store an hour later near tears. If you're planning any event or project my advice is to plan ahead - you'll be happy and end up with something super fabulous to boot.
As anyone who has worked in retail/service for a period of time can likely attest: you can never look at a store the same way again once you've worked on the "other side". My eyes do not fill with glee when I enter the store as they once did, but I now fiercely love my bone folder, can make paper flowers in my sleep, and appreciate a good window display (which PS Georgetown is commonly known for). I left PS' employ as, with most retail jobs, the pay just wasn't cutting it, but you'll still find me moonlighting from time to time or teaching a paper flower course.