Little Ivy Paper Goods
With roots in rural Maine and a brush dipped in nostalgia, Addie Cullenberg has built a thriving stationery studio. What began at a kitchen table during winter break evolved into Little Ivy Paper Goods — a business shaped by curiosity, creativity, and an eye for detail. In this edition of Cultivating Conversations, Addie reflects on her path from watercolor hobbyist to full-time designer, shares how travel informs her work, and discusses the tactile art of creating wedding invitations that feel as meaningful as the celebrations they represent.
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF?
Growing up in rural Maine in the 1990s, my siblings and I had to get creative with how we spent our time. Endless hours were spent outside, making pinecone potions and building forts in the woods. But on rainy days, I’d often turn to my family and ask, “What should I draw now?”
Luckily, I had an incredible high school art teacher who encouraged me to keep creating. By the time I graduated, I’d taken every art class in the school catalog. During my first winter break home from college, I was watercoloring at the kitchen table when I decided to turn it into a mockup for a wedding invitation suite (growing up with 35 older cousins, weddings had always been a big part of my life). On a whim, I posted a photo of it online, jokingly offering to help with anyone’s invitations. To my surprise, one of my cousin’s fiancées replied, “Me!!” and Little Ivy Paper Goods was born.
At the time, I was studying at Bates College, often referred to as a “Little Ivy” school, which gave my fledgling business its name. For the next three years,
“I ran the company out of my dorm room—squeezing in projects between classes, practices, and cross country meets.”
What inspired you to transition from a hobby into a full-time business?
A few weeks before graduation, my college roommate and I took a spontaneous trip to Iceland. We road-tripped around the island, sleeping in our rental car on the side of the road and living off of gummy bears. It was a slow, present kind of trip—filled with hikes to natural hot spring rivers and very little screen time. Somewhere between the endless horizons of ancient lava fields and trekking out to receding glaciers, I promised myself that I wouldn’t head off to the corporate sales job on Boylston Street I was already dreading the start of in a few short months. Instead, I vowed that I would give myself one year of committing to my business full time, to see where I could take it.
“The idea of working for myself, of creating for a living—just made sense.”
At the time, Portland, Maine was still a fairly affordable place to live, giving me the breathing room I needed to take a risk. I made just enough in my first year to cover my living expenses, but I quickly realized that the old adage couldn’t be more true: Find a job you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life. Almost a decade later, I haven’t looked back.
You’ve worked with clients around the world. How do you ensure each design feels personal, no matter the location of the wedding?
One of my favorite parts of the design process is uncovering the little “Easter eggs” that make each invitation suite deeply personal. During the initial client consultation, I love brainstorming ways to weave in subtle nods to a couple’s venue, a cherished vacation spot, or even their family heritage. It might be a custom envelope liner inspired by the wallpaper in the bridal suite, or a letterpress border echoing the delicate botanicals on a family crest. These thoughtful details create more than just a beautiful invitation—they offer guests a tangible sense of place and personality from the very first impression. I like to think of a stationer’s role as more than just designing paper goods—we’re shaping the visual identity of the entire celebration.
Wedding invitations are often the first impression guests get of a couple's wedding. How do you approach creating designs that truly set the tone for the event?
“One of the most essential design elements for me is crafting the perfect tactile experience.”
The textures that define a tropical wedding in Palm Beach—such as rattan and linen—are entirely different from those suited for a winter celebration in Vermont, where flannel and leather create a sense of warmth and intimacy. Layering in a thoughtfully curated color palette, inspired by the natural hues of the venue location, enhances the authenticity of the design, ensuring every detail feels intentional and true to the setting.
Can you describe your creative space or routine when working on a new project?
My fiancé and I live in a charming old apartment in a very walkable part of Portland, full of character and creaky floorboards. While many stationers have bright, airy home offices, my style leans moodier and more vintage (ask any of my friends and they’ll tell you my most coveted possession is my green velvet chair!). My desk sits nestled against bay windows overlooking our street—
“natural light is essential for me to be productive, especially during the long Maine winters.”
When I’m creating, there’s always a podcast or audiobook playing in the background. I also love popping into local cafés, as background chit–chat helps me focus. And of course, a warm mug of chai never hurts.
Are there any recent projects or unique requests from clients that have really stood out to you?
“I recently worked with a couple planning a wedding with Wes Anderson vibes—a first for me!”
I love when couples move beyond Pinterest trends and design a weekend that’s entirely their own. Now that I’m in the beginning stages of planning my own wedding, I’m keen to let our personal interests guide the design process, rather than what’s currently trending.
How do you balance your artistic vision with the specific needs and wishes of your clients?
“Over the past 12 years, my portfolio has evolved, but my brand identity has remained strong.”
When couples seek me out for their wedding stationery, they’ve typically done their research and have determined that my style aligns with their vision. Some arrive with a carefully curated 20-page inspiration board, while others simply say, “This isn’t my forte—I trust you to create something beautiful.” Whether I’m guiding a couple through every detail or bringing a fully formed vision to life, my goal is to make the process feel seamless, inspiring, and deeply personal. I also welcome new ideas, always eager to explore fresh concepts and expand my ever-growing portfolio of projects.
What part of the design process do you enjoy most?
My custom clients and I often spend over a year perfecting every detail of their stationery suite together—from save the dates to invitations and day-of pieces. The most rewarding moment is when they’re finally able to hold the finished items in their hands.
“Seeing their reactions, often involving happy tears, makes every step of the process worthwhile.”
Where do you draw inspiration from?
My partner and I travel a lot, which has helped me develop an eye for what defines a place at its core. Whether it’s the intricate tile patterns of a Portuguese courtyard or the way light filters through trees in the Italian countryside,
“I’m always observing the details that give a location its distinct character.”
Your recent illustrations of Hamilton Princess were stunning. How does staying at places like Hamilton Princess influence your design process?
I appreciate it! Before staying at the Hamilton Princess*, I researched the hotel on Instagram, identifying the details guests connect with most—the fun cocktails at the bar, the iconic pink phone booth on the dock, the flags waving at the entrance, and the towering palm trees in the courtyard. Once I narrowed down these elements, I transformed them into a pattern that captures the little moments that make the hotel unforgettable.
*Editor’s Note: A Persephone Social Client!
Is there any medium or technique you’d like to experiment with in the future, or is watercolor your preferred medium?
“Watercolor is definitely the medium I feel most at home with.”
It’s funny—I've spoken with oil painters who find watercolor daunting because they believe mistakes can’t easily be covered up. But for me, the idea of being able to tweak an oil painting for weeks before finalizing it feels overwhelming—not to mention the larger scale! I’m perfectly happy working within the comfort of my 5x7s and 8x10s.
I am considering taking a very informal pottery class soon, but plan to go into it with the mindset that it would purly be a hobby, not another business venture!
With over a decade of experience in this field, are there any challenges you’ve faced along the way? How have they shaped your work?
Absolutely! One challenge has been balancing wedding trends with my own artistic style, especially with the rise of Instagram and Pinterest. When I first started, the idea of incorporating custom watercolor into an invitation suite felt groundbreaking—most guests had never received anything like it. Back in 2012, a photo booth or a popcorn machine was considered a revolutionary addition to a reception. Now, couples are thinking on a much grander scale, designing elaborate seating chart installations and custom dance floors inside fully built-out reception tents. Even with smaller details like printing methods—only offering digital (flat) printing doesn’t cut it anymore, as more and more couples are opting for letterpress, foil, or embossing.
Another potential challenge is the increasing saturation of the industry, especially post–COVID. With a relatively low barrier to entry, many new businesses emerge after couples design their own wedding stationery and decide to take the same leap of faith I did after college. But personally, I think that’s a wonderful thing.
“I believe in fostering a community where knowledge is shared, not gate kept. There’s always more to gain from collaboration.”
How do you balance the artistic and operational sides of Little Ivy Paper Goods?
Great question—one I’ve been working to find balance with for years. The key? Learning to let go and outsource. I’ve realized that “wearing all the hats” isn’t something to take pride in—it can actually hold you back. Now, I focus on eliminating pain points in my day–to–day life by asking “is this something I truly need to handle, or can I delegate it and spend more time on high-level aspects of the business?”
“Relinquishing control isn’t always easy, but growth requires stepping back from the small tasks to focus on the bigger picture.”
Another important piece of this has been automation. Do I really need to write every introductory email from scratch, or can I personalize a well–crafted template? Small efficiencies like these add up and ultimately enhance the client experience.
Looking back on your journey, is there a particular project or accomplishment that stands out as especially meaningful to you?
One of my close friends in college, Lindsey, lived in a dorm room down from me, and her printer was what I used to create my very first orders. Looking back, it’s almost unbelievable that I once printed wedding invitations on a basic office printer—but we all have to start somewhere!
Everything came full circle in 2021 when I had the honor of working with Lindsey on her own wedding invitations, and I’m happy to say they were not printed on her dorm room printer! It was a special reminder of how far my business had come since 2013.
what’s next for Little Ivy Paper Goods?
“I’m in talks to collaborate with an airport to promote a new flight route launching this spring!”
It’s part of my gradual introduction into the world of surface pattern design and corporate collaborations, and I couldn’t be more excited about the pieces we’re creating. I love that any company, no matter the industry, can benefit from collaborating with artists.
I’m experimenting more in 2025 with unique paper shapes, embellishments, and elevated printing techniques. Sculpted embossing is having a major moment right now, adding intricate depth and dimension to invitation suites, and it’s exciting to work with clients who are willing to push the design boundaries. I’m also working to expand my semi–custom collection, which provides design–minded couples a budget–friendly, hassle-free alternative to custom wedding stationery.
what advice would you give to couples embarking on their wedding journey, either looking to design or commission their own wedding stationery?
My biggest piece of advice is to start by considering the overall flow of your wedding weekend and use that as a guide for your stationery. Think about how your paper goods can enhance the experience and help create a cohesive brand for your celebration. Mood boards are especially helpful for custom design, as elements like floral arrangements, linens, and tableware all contribute to the overall aesthetic couples hope to achieve with their stationery.
“Lastly, give yourself plenty of time—more is always better than less.”
I often work with custom clients for over a year, and even with that timeline, it sometimes doesn’t feel like enough time!
