Instead of Ashes specializes in all things stationer: Greeting Cards, Postcards, Prints, Notepads, Bookmarks and other papergoods. These paper art pieces can be used as beautiful reminders and encouragements on the walls of your home, or as little vessels to mail words of comfort, joy, celebration, and friendship.

WHAT'S YOUR STORY?
IOA is owned and operated by Lauren Taylor, in Atlanta, Georgia! She has loved all things creative for as long as she can remember. Growing up, Lauren would make handmade birthday cards for all of her friends and relatives. In school, she was the girl in class with doodles and pretty headings all over her notes.

Today, Lauren loves creating, designing, and sketching works that end up on Greeting Cards, Prints, and more. It is her joy and passion to bring more beauty and love into the world, and she is delighted to make that happen little be little as her designs find themselves in homes and hearts across the world.

WHY IS YOUR SHOP CALLED "INSTEAD OF ASHES"?
The inspiration for the name "Instead of Ashes" comes from Isaiah 61:1-4, which says, " The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations."

Lauren believes that her creative talent is a God given ability, and that God adds beauty to the world through his people and the talents he has given them. So, she hopes to add a bit of beauty, encouragement, and inspiring reminders to your world with the art she has made.

INSTEAD OF ASHES BELIEVES IN RESPONSIBILITY.
I am making art with paper... there is probably going to be a bit of paper waste. I do my best to get the most use out of all my supplies, and I recycle the rest. Also, all items are made in the USA, and most of the papers and envelopes used have a partially recycled content.

INSTEAD OF ASHES BELIEVES IN SPREADING LOVE AND BEAUTY.
10% of all profits go to a ministry. Right now, that ministry is Wellspring Living based out of Atlanta, Georgia. Wellspring living seeks to restore and empower girls and women who are survivors of sex trafficking through counseling, therapy, mentoring, education, life skills training and much more. Check out their website: http://wellspringliving.org/

THE DESIGN PROCESS:
Lauren creates all her designs, some with pen and marker, others with Apple Pencil and iPad. Greeting Cards and Postcards are printed by a professional printing partner, and then folded and placed with an envelope (Greeting Cards) or grouped in sets of ten (Postcards), sleeved in a protective cello sleeve, sealed, and packed by hand in her studio. All prints are printed and trimmed to size in house, then packaged with sturdy cardboard backing before packaging in the studio. Every item is individually handled with love and care!

FOLLOW INSTEAD OF ASHES:
Check IOA out in whatever social media platform you use- I love having giveaways and posting coupon codes!
Website: www.insteadofashes.com
Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/InsteadOfAshes
Instagram: @insteadofashes
Facebook: www.facebook.com/insteadofashesdesign
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/laurkon/instead-of-ashes-beauty-%2B-paper/

SHARE:
Share photos of how you are using your Instead of Ashes favorites by tagging your photos with #insteadofashes

WHOLESALE:
Interested in carrying Instead of Ashes products in your shop? Great! Email insteadofashesdesign [!at] gmail.com if you have any questions, or find us on Faire.

STOCKISTS:
Want to shop Instead of Ashes products in person? Check out these stockists:
http://www.insteadofashes.com/stockists.html