Conversations with Lana Effron

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lana Effron.

Hi Lana, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m Lana, the artist and owner of Lana’s Shop. Back when I was a graphic designer for Vogue magazine, I got into the habit of hand painting cards for staff birthdays. After a while, I started to notice that people actually left the card displayed on their desks for months. That got me thinking: Maybe that teeny, thoughtful note really went a long way to make them feel good?

And that Aha! Moment changed my life forever. After I moved to Colorado to be with the man (and mountains) of my dreams in 2012, I decided to launch a textile and paper goods business devoted to spreading kindness, love, and hope. Lana’s Shop is a sunny little design studio and online boutique. At the core of everything we make is the idea that sending something handwritten, kind, and full of love can make the biggest difference in someone’s day. Our motto is Nice matters.

Nature is my happy place, and a lot of my designs are inspired by the outdoors—the mountains where I live and my sweet family adventures. And you want to hear something amazing? The kindness came full circle when I recently noticed Vogue editor Anna Wintour’s name on a packing slip for our gift wrap. I fainted, for real…

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Oh yes. I’ve had all the bumps. Everyday seems to bring up something new to problem solve. Yikes. I also put a lot of pressure on myself, being a mother and business owner and the never-ending, adorable juggling act that brings. So I recently closed my retail boutique located in Denver’s hip Art District on Santa Fe and now have a studio in the basement of our home. Some might look at this as a step back, but nope. It truly was the best decision for my family, my business, and my time!

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Have you ever received a gift that was wrapped so beautifully that you *almost* didn’t want to open it? There are times when you so clearly see all the thought that went into that special gift, and you can already feel the love before you even see what’s inside.

Here at Lana’s Shop, we love making that magical feeling happen. Each of our products I’ve hand illustrated, locally printed on high-quality paper and made with heart. My hope is that here you’ll find that perfect greeting card, one-of-a-kind gift wrap, wallpaper, and art print to gift, share, or keep (because sometimes you gotta give yourself a little joy, too!).

Wallpaper is one of our newest offerings. When I found out I was pregnant, I knew our baby needed custom mommy wallpaper. That turned into a love for designing wallpaper to help make all your spaces your very favorite room. Our wallpaper can now be found at Anthropologie.com.

Another favorite product is Packadoo ABC flashcards for kids. When I was a kid, I adored playing with alphabet flashcards. Now that I have a little guy and gal of our own, I decided to roll up my sleeves and create a fresh series of ABC images to inspire a new generation of tiny dreamers. Our first edition is camping! The second edition will be out this summer 2021! They are the perfect gift for baby showers and adventurous families who love to learn on the go. You can find our products on our site, wonderful gift shops around town, Paper Source, Terrain, Anthropologie and more.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
The Denver small business community is one of a kind, in the most amazing of ways. Especially being a woman-owned business, some of my biggest supporters and closest friends are other hard-working ladies who inspire me endlessly. I’ve met them through local gift shops or having a booth next to one another at a craft fair, or even through connecting on Instagram. We can share ideas, cry as needed, and learn from each other. It’s amazing!

Pricing:

• Gift Wrap $5.50-$14
• Greeting Cards $5.50-$20
• Art Prints $26
• Tea Towels $24
• Note Pads $11

Contact Info:

• Email: hello@lanasshop.com
• Website: https://lanasshop.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lanasshop/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LanasShop.3

Image Credits
Hunter Lawrence Callie Hobbs Photography