31/03/2026
Goodbye friends 😢
The hardest post I've ever had to make. Saying goodbye to The Paper Lobster is something I never thought I'd have to do. This business was born when my first girl Esme was. Filling my time designing and being inspired whilst my gorgeous baby slept ♥️
Going from drawing in a sketch book and painstakingly editing on a laptop - to now drawing so easily in procreate and vectoring on illustrator.
My business evolved into something I didn't think was possible... I've worked with so many incredible businesses, designing patterns, packaging and products for them. I've had some serious career highlights - who can say they've had a t-shirt worn on TV by ! My products are stocked all over the UK in 40 independent retailers... And I've had thousands of website sales all over the UK and world ♥️
But behind the business, I am struggling... Struggling with my mental health... Struggling to be the person I feel I should be. This has meant that the love I felt for this business has suffered and the joy I once had for this brand has gone 😢 I've at times felt embarrassed, not good enough, a fraud, a failure and boy... comparison really is a joy thief. I've lost my way with it and It's been the hardest thing to admit that I need to close this chapter. I'm trying my hardest to be the person I once was - running has helped hugely not feel like a failure... But I am still struggling.
In a couple of weeks the website will no longer exist, and both FAIRE and Etsy will also be closed.
I want to thank all of you, from the bottom of my heart. If you've been on the journey with me in any way, shape or form, thank you ♥️ I won't forget it. This isn't me saying goodbye to my creativity. But saying goodbye to The Paper Lobster 🦞 and I hope I'm brave enough to start a new chapter. 🤞🏼
Lots of love
Colette x
