I returned home Tuesday night after attending the National Stationery Show and I am completely enthused from all I encountered. Thrilled for the new designers who will soon join the Brown Ink Paper Goods boutique as well as fresh work from our current lines. It’s all so good, especially to see the world of handwriting and paper goods alive and well. Before I share my favorites from the show, let’s move on to a few pressing matters at hand; gifts for the graduate or teacher in your life. A few ideas, starting with the graduate…

The Personalized Handwriting Necklace is a lovely gift for the young adult who may need a bit of family (mother, father, grandmother) close to her heart as she heads off to college.

For the craftsman in the family, send a student off with this do-it-yourself wooden base desk lamp, thanks to the minds behind Poppy Talk. It’s handsome, functional and handmade with love. Also ideal size for the dorm room desk (Make sure to include of few of these below!).

Of course, no Graduate should leave for college without a collection of fine pens or pencils….

 The Delfonic pen and pencil selection is perfect for both College Freshmen and Freshwomen who’d like to appear both smart and hip even if they are writing vs. typing.

A writing journal is a beautiful gift for a Graduate. They might be even more likely to download the numerous changes in their new lives’ with this proper and stylish journal by their side.

Leather Journals made by Twigg’s Bindery are simply stunning, a keeper for lifetime. Or a larger, Fabric Journal can hold concert stubs, airline tickets and other memorabilia (as a side note, Jonna Twigg just won Best New Product Award for this Fabric Journal at the Stationery Show!).

There may be a greater chance you’ll hear a few snippets of your child’s life if you send them off with stationery they will actually enjoy using like this Road Trip set from Scouts Honor Co.

And include a dozen stamps while you’re at it (what 18 year-old doesn’t love a little Jimi Hendrix?).

For the glorious Teachers….

Handwritten Teacher Name Stamp created by St.Paulite letter girl will be well loved and used.

For the teacher who appreciates a handwritten letter, the recently released Letters of Note would be a beautiful summer read, filled with extraordinary letters which will fill their soul.

 For Teachers with more freedom in the Summer, a Journal can be a needed creative outlet.

Gabrielle from Design Mom came up with these beautiful DIY painted pencil boxes. A great project with a child over the weekend. Add in a few pencils and note from their student, and you’ll find yourself a happy, full-hearted Teacher.

You could even include a lovely stationery set which fits the personality of the Teacher…

For the Bird Watcher from Small Adventure…

…to the traveler from Ferme A Papier and Dear Hancock.

Gifts are always lovely but, from what I’ve been told, a written letter from a student is the best gift a Teacher could ask for on any day.

Of course, a few handfuls of these sparkles from The Great Lakes Goods never hurts! Let’s CELEBRATE these accomplished individuals, the Graduates and Teachers who have made us proud.