Virtual Reality: Perch Papiers
Slideshow: Get to know Seattleite Heather Burns, owner of Perch Papiers on Etsy.
“When I was eight, I would make bookmarks out of craft paper and crayons and try to sell them on my front curb like I was having a Kool-Aid stand. I’ve always dreamed of working for myself and two years ago it came true,” says Burns.
“Being from Montana, I love that the Seattle area offers places to hike, climb, and fly fish all within a 30-minute drive. I also love all of the benefits of living in a big city including the culture, food, and people."
“There are so many talented artists living in the city. I enjoy being able to go to local farmer’s markets, art openings, and paper stores where I can view other artists’ work, which always helps spark new ideas,” says Burns about why she loves to live (and work) in Seattle. Here, her own little corner of the Emerald City.
Of her personal inspiration Burns says, “My first ‘true love’ and I exchanged mail (the real ol’ fashioned kind) for years. I loved checking the mail box each day hoping to find a letter from him. He had amazing hand writing that I would stare at for hours, rereading his letters over and over again. Throughout the years he lived all over the country and abroad, each year brought different envelopes, exotic stamps, and different stories to spend sunny afternoons pining over. I want to recreate that feeling every day.”
Burns defines success by being able to work for herself. “I love that I can take time off mid-week and take naps in the middle of the day. As my business grows, my idea of success grows. I hope that I can do this for the rest of my life!”
Burns’ top-sellers are wedding and party invitations and envelopes, though she also loves one-off projects, which in the past have included hand-lettering wedding vows and designing tattoos.
