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No, this is not a rant about the hazards of spelling “stationery” incorrectly – although many might argue it’s warranted. Rather, it’s a rant about those who are quick to deem this industry dead. Honestly, it’s come to be as predictable as the seasons: Every time the economy nosedives, the stationery eulogies begin. Obviously as an editor of a thriving trade publication focusing on stationery, I’m going to disagree.

But even on a personal level, I always recall some excellent advice I received years ago: Never listen to naysayers. As a result I’ve tuned out a lot of negativity that I’ve encountered. I’ve come to realize that most of these statements are typically reflections of the speakers’ own insecurities; so rather than viewing them with disdain, I’ve tried to counter them with compassion.

That doesn’t mean I enjoy hearing people take potshots at our beloved industry. We’ve all heard it before: Everyone is buying wedding invitations (or birth announcements or birthday invitations) online. No one writes anymore. No one writes (orders) at National Stationery Show anymore or, for that matter. stationery orders at any of the gift shows. I used to think this was the mark of a weak line, now I think it’s merely a self-defeating attitude.

For every story of failure, there is always one of growth – you just have to look for it and be aware that just as our culture is changing, so too are the paths to achieving success. For example, it wasn’t until I read a recent Wall Street Journal article called “Stationery’s New Followers” – incredibly well-written by Katherine Rosman – that I realized how closely entwined the medium is to social media. I was intrigued from the first sentence, “Judy Clement Wall has 1,665 Twitter followers, but when she really wants to connect with one of them, she takes out a piece of stationery and picks up her pen.”

Essentially, how do those who frequently tweet, status update and blog turn an online acquaintance into a real friend? By getting their mailing addresses and sending them a letter. Alongside many other gems, the article detailed the popularity of two very special Twitter hashtags for three days last May: #stationeryshow and #nss.

Even more interesting is the anecdote revolving around one Twitter employee, Elizabeth Bailey Weil, who letterpresses under the moniker Paperwheel Press on an 1923 machine in her garage. She welcomes new employees to the company on her stationery, sends notes reading “Looking forward to you joining the flock” to new acquisitions and creates cards for managers to hand out reading “You’re awesome.”

In short, the stationery industry is anything but stationary – you just have to look a little harder to find these stories.

P.S. The Stationery Trends family got a little larger on Aug. 20 (coincidentally my birthday) with the arrival of Luke Stephen and Everett Michael Virgona. Congratulations to proud parents Jennifer and Brian and big sister, Chloe!