Interview with Lizbeth Holstein – Creative Director of HoneyTree Bespoke Stationery

Here at The Little Style Book we have long been huge fans of HoneyTree Bespoke stationery (our Editor chose HoneyTree for both her children’s birth annoucements!).  Creative Director Lizbeth Holstein lives in North Wootton, Somerset with her husband and children, 15 year old Olivia and 21 year old Max.

What inspired you to start HoneyTree Bespoke?

I wanted to provide a premium quality stationery product that allowed the customer to get involved in the design while working within a pre designed format.  Customers are able to choose from over 600 illustrations on the website and have the opportunity to be as quirky or as classic as they like.

How do you juggle your business and the children?

I had my children very young and when they were little my work/play balance tipped more towards caring for the children.  Now that they are older and more independent I have more time to devote to the business.  I admire women who can do both.

What are your best-selling products for little ones?

We have many popular products for little ones.  We love to start right at the beginning and provide fun and unique birth announcements, moving onto party invitations, thank you cards, an assortment of labels and tags and our new lined paper and sticker set for young HoneyTree fans who find it hard to write in a straight line!

Have you noted any recent trends in birth announcements?

We try to offer something that is unique and individual rather than follow trends.  Whilst our customers still choose classic (non illustrative) birth announcements I would say the illustrated option make up 80% of our sales.  So the trend we are seeing is illustrated and personalised.

Where do you like to shop for tiny tots?

I can’t help feeling very broody when I step into Trotters on the Kings Road in London.  I remember when Max who is now 21 had his first haircut there – they have been around a long time and are still true to themselves.

Where do you and the family like to hang out?

We love being at home and have just planted a veggie patch so it’s all hands on deck!

Tell us about your best holiday or mini break when the children were little…

We were very lucky in that we lived in Spain and South Africa when my children were growing up, so they enjoyed fab beaches and hot summers on home soil.

What are your favourite newborn baby gifts?

Something personalised – you can’t beat it!

Please share your top tips for new mums…

My top tip is enjoy the moment and don’t rush to move onto the next thing. I remember when my daughter was small I couldn’t wait for her to sit, then crawl, then walk etc. Savour each day as it’s all over in the blink of an eye.

Finally, as a busy working mum, what is your sanity saver?

Red wine!

Visit the HoneyTree Bespoke website to see the range and start creating your own stationery.