This week I launched Slow Summer Dreamer’s Box. Now it is time to tell you the story.
I’ve wanted to create a seasonal stationery box for years. Not weeks or months. Literally years. It was one of those ideas that kept floating around in my mind while I packed orders or worked on other things. But I never quite dared to do it.
The reason? Like with many small business things, it comes down to time, money, and the constant voice in your head that says, “What if it doesn’t work?” Creating a box like this means investing a lot upfront: in product design, production, and packaging. And you don’t really know if it’s going to be worth it until you actually do it. Some of the products I made myself (like the stickers and wooden bookmark), but others have minimum order quantities from the manufacturer.
What if I only sell two boxes and end up stuck with dozens of leftover items?
That part is terrifying.
But this year I decided to try.
Is July the best time to launch a new product? Honestly, no. July is one of the quietest months in my shop. But maybe that’s also why I chose it. The idea of a slow, dreamy summer felt right. And I liked the quietness of it all – it fit the mood of the box perfectly.
Why a seasonal box?
I love the rhythm of seasons. In my personal life and in my creative process. I like how each season brings a slightly different energy, even for snail mail. There’s something special about writing a letter on a foggy October morning, or decorating a postcard with stickers that match the weather.
I also wanted to create something that feels more intentional than just a pile of nice things. I imagined a little collection that would tell a soft seasonal story. One box, four times a year. That’s the dream.
So here it is – the very first one: the Slow Summer Dreamer’s Box.
How I built it: slow and steady
The theme came first. I didn’t want a box full of flamingos, coctails and sunglasses. Summer, for me, has always been more about dry grass under your feet, long slow evenings, lavender scent, and books read under a tree. So I started with that feeling.
I began looking for postcard designs. Five of them, to be exact. Each one tells its own little story: a girl relaxing in a meadow, a quiet desk by the window, an old house and garden, a childhood moment in the countryside. I wanted soft green tones, watercolor textures, and a cozy, slow atmosphere, and I hope I managed to capture that. They don’t scream “summer”, but if you’ve had a slow summer, you’ll recognize them.
Then came the stickers. I designed three sticker sheets that match the moods of the postcards: lavender tones, botanical themes, and a little mix of both. I also added five die-cut stickers for variety and fun.
The memo pad came next. It’s square, framed with wildflowers, and I wanted it to look like a place to collect quiet thoughts. A soft spot for gentle reminders.
The washi tape was actually the first product finished. It has a wildflower pattern that fits perfectly with the rest of the box. Soft, simple, summery.
One of the trickiest items was the wooden bookmark. Printing on wood isn’t easy, especially when your designs are watercolor-based and delicate. This technology needs contrasts. But I found a pattern that worked, and I’m happy I stuck with it as it ties everything together.
At the very end, I added a letter.
And of course, I struggled for a long time with the box itself. I didn’t want it to feel like just any regular shipping box, I wanted something a bit more special. But many of the prettier options cost nearly a quarter of the whole box’s value, and I didn’t want to drive up the price just because of the packaging. I also found that most boxes were either way too big or far too small, the kind you’d use for jewelry. In the end, I think I found a simple but charming option that works.
What makes this stationery box special
Every single product in this box was made especially for it. You won’t find these items sold separately in my shop, and once they’re gone, they’re gone.
This is a limited edition, small batch, and full of intention. It’s a box for the ones who love paper, but also the feeling behind it. For slow postcard senders, dreamy journalers, letter writers, collectors, and people who still love quiet things.
The box will be available throughout July, or until it sells out, whichever comes first.
What’s next?
If this box finds its people, I’d love to make more. I imagine four seasonal boxes a year: in July, October, January, and April. Each one with its own mood, rhythm, and little world inside.
I’m already thinking about the next one. Maybe Autumn in the Forest?
Thank you for being here. Truly.
Salomėja
