From the start, France-based artist Marie-Charlotte, founder of the handmade paper goods shop 23janvier, knew better than to confine herself to a single creative interest. As an art history student at the University of Art in Bordeaux, she dabbled in a slew of mediums and techniques, gradually homing in on painting and photography. “But I used color in photography, and photography in painting—I liked to mix both,” Marie-Charlotte says.
Later, she joined the French art school ESA des Pyrénées, where she began to experiment more with papers and shapes in her painting, and developed a passion for Asian painting and paper works—”so delicate, and dedicated to nature, too.” Dividing her time between photography, printmaking, painting, book binding, and graphic design, a cohesive thread began to take shape for Marie-Charlotte: “Through it all, I was always focused on colors and nature,” she says. And thus, the seed for 23janvier was planted.
Explore the 23janvier collection
“After I graduated, I had a lot of ideas in my head, so I created this lovely independent workshop, where I do everything from prints to binding,” she says. And it’s all defined by her distinctly natural aesthetic, centered around patterns formed from flowers and plants. Of course, she still has side projects too, like a multimedia collaboration that combines music, photos, graphic design, and sounds. And why not? As she’s already proven, there’s absolutely no reason to choose just one artistic path.
Read on to learn about Marie-Charlotte’s process and products, then shop the 23janvier collection.
Where do you find inspiration? What do you do or where do you go when you need a creative boost?
I find inspiration in nature, especially in plants—I’m inspired by their colors, their shapes, their delicacy. I spend lots of time picking wild plants, composing my herbarium, and learning about the names for different specimens. I also like to grow plants—everything from vegetables to trees. Long walks in the forest are my creative boost; the outline of a flower can be the beginning of a pattern.
Paper can be the beginning of an idea, too: For example, my Japanese handprinted paper was born when I discovered Japanese washi paper. That’s how I created my botanical stamps, after searching for a way to produce delicate prints to match this delicate material.
When did you begin selling on Etsy, and how has that affected your work or your creative process?
I began selling on Etsy in 2013, less than a year after I started 23janvier. At first, I made original cards based on my photography. Each print was made by me and finished with a name and a little cover. I was already working with paper in that sense, but the idea of making stationery objects came little by little.
Discovering all the creators on Etsy was a great inspiration. And with Etsy, my artistic workshop became a brand. I started to think more as a designer, creating patterns and collections of objects. My love for binding and Asian paper work brought me to experiment with Japanese binding. Eventually, I succeeded in creating a signature binding inspired by the Japanese styles, which I use on my Japanese notebooks.
Tell us about your workspace: Where do you do your creating and what tools do you use?
My workspace is both indoors and outdoors. Indoors, I work at home, in a little workshop stocked with many tools. But I usually begin my work outside, taking pictures and collecting natural elements to use for printing. At home, I finalize designs and patterns on my computer, then I print and build my products. I use inkjet printing for my notebooks and cards, but I also print by hand using stamps, woodblocks, and photogravure.
Which item in your shop is your favorite, and how did that design come into being?
My favorite item is my printed Japanese paper. It’s a white paper, with long, thin fibers that are both delicate and strong. I’ve created a specific printing process for this paper, using natural stamps to create soft, plant-derived prints. I’ve worked with wild flowers, fig leaves, and more to make those natural illustrations.
Every design is available in several colors: blue, green, and pink, tinted with golden ink. Each print is unique, and you can use them for wrapping, origami, or decoration. The white of the paper itself is also important—the pattern doesn’t hide the surface, but rather decorates it. Each print highlights the paper and reveals its beautiful fibers. I love that, and I think that other people like it, too!
What are your hopes and dreams for the future of your business?
I have great hopes for my business, and many ideas. The next step will be creating posters, I think. I would also like to work with natural inks, making my own plant dyes using plants that I’ve grown. Last year I experimented with shibori techniques, a printing process based on folding. I made an exclusive shibori collection for Christmas; I’d like to develop that into a whole permanent collection.
What is your favorite Etsy shop to buy from? Are there other Etsy shops that you love or admire?
There is a shop on Etsy that I especially like called Oak Gallery; it’s the brand of a French graphic designer based in Bordeaux. Her illustrations of leaves are really beautiful, and she also brings some geometry to them. I also like The Link Collective, a Japanese brand of furoshiki textiles. Their patterns are so original and the concept is great: using the same piece of fabric to serve as a beautiful wrap or a bag.
Follow 23janvier on Facebook and Pinterest.
Photographs courtesy of 23janvier.
39 comments
Rhonda Stubbs from RhondaCorner said 2 years ago
Love your colors and natural designs. Thank you for sharing your awesome story and I wish you the very best of your future endeavors.
23janvier from 23janvier said 2 years ago
Hello Rhonda and thank you for your lovely comment ! I'm so glad to have the opportunity to share my work here.
Rada Danilovic from RadArtaDesign said 2 years ago
Lovely shop and items :) Congrats!
Cathy from msbijouxbeads said 2 years ago
Lovely designs, beautiful shop, congratulations on your feature
ClassicMemories from ClassicMemories said 2 years ago
Lovely shop and nice items. Congrats on the feature.
Marieken Hoefnagel from invisiblecrown said 2 years ago
Love those notebooks! Good luck with your shop, and congrats with the feature.
Kashuen Collectibles from Kashuen said 2 years ago
Very unique shop. I love how the owner use leave to print out paper. Congratulations on the feature.
Debra Gilstrap from gilstrapdesigns said 2 years ago
Congratulations on your feature. Your work is so beautiful and I love the look of your shop. Much continued success!!!
Sujata from TreasuredMemoryLane said 2 years ago
Lovely designs and colors! Especially love the way you used nature in your creations. Congratulations on the feature!
One Stop Steampunk Shoppe from OneStopSteamShoppe said 2 years ago
Lovely shop! The designs are really beautiful. Thank you for sharing. Congrats on the feature! :)
Chrisy McConnell from ARTDECADENCE said 2 years ago
Beautiful timeless designs; I particularly love the touches of gold.
accentonvintage from accentonvintage said 2 years ago
Beautiful work! Congrats!
Anna Bernfeld from Aquani said 2 years ago
Very neat shop.
Sherri from ButterflyFeetDigital said 2 years ago
Lovely shop, congrats on the feature!
Jennifer Tyson from LadyInPurpleBoutique said 2 years ago
Your collections are so lovely! Congrats on the feature and best wishes for a prosperous year!
R.M Garrett from ArtisticAcrylics said 2 years ago
I think it's inspirational how you work with so many different mediums! How you explore and take from all to come up with something unique, or to experiment and come up with a style and technique all your own. That's something I'd like to push myself to do in the future. I tend to be a creature of habit, but would like to push myself more to break out of the bubble. Thank you for sharing your journey and story, and I wish you continued blessings and success!
Fields Of Vintage from FieldsOfVintage said 2 years ago
Lovely organic patterns. Congrats on your feature.
Leo Nuvunga from AfricanCraftsCenter said 2 years ago
Beautiful items. Congrats!
Susan Palomino from CricketnWillow said 2 years ago
These are very beautiful!
Jennifer and Gary Pierce from LoftAtticEarth said 2 years ago
Your prints are inspiring. The patterns and colors are beautiful. Best wishes as your business grows in 2018 and beyond!
AnitasPottery.com from potterybyAnita said 2 years ago
Beautiful work and original ideas! Congratulations on being Featured! Best Wishes! 💜💜💜
Flair Nouri from FlairPaintings said 2 years ago
very nice and creative!!!
Rosita from pillowlink said 2 years ago
You have lovely business and product. And conception as well. Wish you the best here on Etsy!
Anna from FairyToysWorld said 2 years ago
Very beautiful design!
Nicole from KarmaCodeOne said 2 years ago
Ahhhh, all around loveliness ~ Cheers to much continued success !
GorinArt from GorinArt said 2 years ago
This has been such an inspiration to me, her delicacy has given me new ideas, thank you!
TropicalGarden from TropicalGarden said 2 years ago
Inspiring story and work! Congratulations on the feature1
Monika Moroz from NickoArts said 2 years ago
Congratulations on the feature of your lovely shop. I wish you much success :)
Liana from WildRoseAndSparrow said 2 years ago
This stationery is so lovely and tranquil! I love how driven by nature this process is; from the inspiration to the creation.
Hamed And Nafi from WandooArt said 2 years ago
lovely shop! lovely colors! thanks for sharing and we wish all the best for you...
Relly from RelsFindsNapaValley said 2 years ago
Congrats shop 23janvier! Soothing, cool color stationery collection.
Carolina from Agirlwithfeathers said 2 years ago
Beautiful designs! Congrats!
Flair Nouri from FlairPaintings said 2 years ago
very attractive works!!!
Barbara Gable from CrazyLovely said 2 years ago
Love your simple, beautiful photography. Congrats on the feature!
Jermaine Sterling said 2 years ago
Ya YA and her sisters.
Natalya Ashkina from MagicKnittingNeedle said 2 years ago
Great shop and the seller is very creative.
elle and belle Forster from elleandbellejewelry said 1 year ago
Beautiful prints! All the best!
Elena from sanlorenzoForDesign said 358 days ago
Congratulations on the feature! so neat and lovely shop!
Angela Tocilă from AngelaTArt said 181 days ago
Awesome