6.25 Paper Studio crafts custom wedding invitations, greeting cards

Abbey Fowler is the owner and founder of 6.25 Paper Studio in downtown Grand Rapids. In 2008 Fowler left her job at a publishing company to work on a custom invitation business. In September 2011, Fowler opened 6.25 Paper Studio. She was the first store to open among the MoDiv shops. Since then her shop has relocated to 40 Monroe Center Street, down the street from the MoDiv shops.

Fowler describes Grand Rapids as, “A little big city, where it feels big but everyone is actually at arm’s length, not too far away where you can’t approach people.”

“It has been easy to get to know other business owners down here and not feel out of place. Everyone is very welcoming,” Fowler says.

Originally, Fowler’s business was more seasonal, working on wedding invitations. After opening 6.25 Paper Studio, Fowler has been able to hire employees to help with the shop. She has also launched a wholesale catalog where she sells a variety of greeting cards and giftwrap that she markets in her shop and to other stores. First, she will test out her wholesale line at her own store to get a feel for what is high in demand.

In the last year, eight different states have started carrying her wedding invitation collection. Anywhere from California to New York, little shops will carry Fowler’s work with wedding invitations. March and April are Fowler’s busy months for creating wedding invitations. The 6.25 in front of Paper Studio is the date of Fowler’s wedding anniversary.

Depending on the time of year, Fowler makes around 25% of the products in 6.25 Paper Studio. She creates all of the greeting cards and crafts all of the custom design pieces. Her favorite item to create is a wholesale line such as a giftwrap pattern. Fowler enjoys crafting non-occasion cards, where the buyer can use the card for any event.

Half of the products in the store are Michigan made. Fowler sells stationary from small companies or artists, and likes to carry unique products from a variety of small companies.

6.25 Paper Studio also offers crafting classes. This year has been the first year that the shop has offered a crafting class consecutively each month. 

“I like it when we can work with somebody else to bring something to our store that you wouldn’t normally take a class on,” Fowler says.

Every class topic is different and is taught by an expert. For example, in the United States, August and September have the most birthdays. Therefore in August the store will offer a themed class around making decorations for birthday parties.

In the past, the store has had a class on skills such as calligraphy and journal-making. Recently, 6.25 Paper Studio hosted the perfect porch party class. Fowler plans to have a similar class in the fall, themed around a holiday party. Giftwrapping classes will also be offered in the fall.

“We do a party atmosphere so we’ll bring in cocktails and snacks. It’s very casual,” Fowler says.

Each class generally costs $30 and lasts three hours in the evening, right in the center of the store.

“We also do private parties. If you’re throwing a shower or birthday party and want something unique, we can construct the party around whatever you want to create and do,” Fowler says.

Fowler says to look for their sidewalk sales in the beginning of August. You can check out 6.25 Paper Studio’s Facebook page for future events and upcoming classes or visit their website to shop online and browse Fowler’s wedding collection.