Our story

A portrait of Emma, the creator and founder of Emmsalabim, smiling to the camera while introducing her paper products shop.
Hands holding an open book with a blue illustrated bookmark with a minimalistic floral design. High quality, made in Finland. Gift idea for Father's Day and a gift for book lovers.

Greetings! 👋 It’s me, Emma, the face behind Emmsalabim.

The path that led to the inception of this small venture was anything but smooth, filled with unexpected detours and challenges. Yet, these experiences have been pivotal in my growth as an entrepreneur and artist. From humble beginnings sprang a dream - a vision that continues to inspire and shape our journey at Emmsalabim.

An artist's toolset: a set of colored markers and pencils arranged diagonally on a white surface, that are used for drawing the art for the products that are sold in this paper shop.
Emma the artist sitting at a work desk and ideating and drawing new art for products.

I was born with a pencil in my hand

Or, at least that is how it feels sometimes, as the weight of a pencil in my hand is as natural to me as my own shadow. My journey has always been marked by the presence of a sketchbook; it's hard to pinpoint exactly when drawing first became an intrinsic part of me. Throughout my life, I've been known within my family as 'the artist,' a title that felt destined for me from a very young age.

The certainty of following my passion for art and design has always guided me, though the exact route was less clear-cut. My professional beginnings were rooted in fashion and clothing design—a journey that not only honed my skills but also instilled in me an appreciation for creativity across various mediums. Yet, I found myself circling back to where it all started—my love affair with illustration.

Even as I maintain my love for dressmaking, Emmsalabim stands as the testament of my devotion to drawing and design, bringing joy through every stroke of color onto paper.

Crafting an art brand and overcoming hurdles

My artistic evolution has been a transformative journey, marked by extensive experimentation with various mediums and platforms over the years. This path has been filled with trials, errors, and relentless learning—yet each step has been invaluable in shaping my craft. I'm profoundly grateful for the support received throughout this creative exploration and heartened by where Emmsalabim has taken me so far.

Moreover, building this small business venture has taught me the importance of teamwork, and how working on Emmsalabim is actually so much more than just creating new art. Emmsalabim's existence is deeply intertwined with the unwavering efforts of my husband, who is our biggest fan and most tireless supporter. Behind the scenes, he assists with all the non-art related tasks crucial for keeping our little dream alive. Our shared commitment to making Emmsalabim thrive underscores the idea that success in entrepreneurship extends far beyond of what you can see on the surface.

Holding a laptop and beatiful notebooks and bookmarks with colorful illustrated florals and cute heart designs. Paper products designer at work.

Emmsalabim today

In recent years, digital illustration has emerged as a significant focal point of my artistic exploration, becoming both my creative sanctuary and professional domain. The Procreate app on my iPad has become indispensable to me. If you know me, you'll often catch me hunched over my iPad, fully absorbed in drawing. Sometimes I get so deeply immersed into creating new art that I literally forget to eat!

Today, Emmsalabim’s visual identity is rooted in the creation of cute, colorful, and playful drawings that aim to bring smiles to faces. This has always been my belief about art—to be a vehicle for spreading happiness. I can only hope that you derive as much joy from my creations as I do while bringing them to life.

Within our little paper shop, you'll discover a variety of wonderfully colorful paper products. Our creative journey continues as we continuously dream up new and charming additions to add to our selection. Each piece in our collection is a testament to the love poured into its creation and the meticulous care taken during its production; either locally in Finland or with trusted European partners who share our standards of quality.

Responsibly made colorful notebook with a pink floral pattern in a minimalistic art style. High quality sketchbook paper.  Great gift for a friend.
A cute greeting card with a cartoony drawing of a potted plant with a smiling face and the words 'hi cutie' above it. Great Valentine's Day gift. Size A6, made in Finland. Sustainably made.

Where are we headed

In many ways Emmsalabim is just beginning its journey, stepping into the world with modest ambitions—to expand our range of paper products first, and then to venture into introducing exciting new additions to our selection. Our aim is not just about growth but also about quality, ensuring that every new product we introduce enriches our collection.

Simultaneously, we're keen on broadening our network of resellers, relishing the opportunity to collaborate with like-minded individuals and see our creations featured in their stores. We believe the more, the merrier, and we're thrilled at the prospect of increasing our presence, even as all current partners are nestled right here in Finland. Our vision is to expand to other countries in the future.

To stay updated on this exciting journey and witness Emmsalabim's evolution, follow us on Instagram for regular art-filled insights into what we're creating next. We're excited to have you along as we explore the possibilities ahead!

Emma the artist and designer walking in forest finding inspiration for new paper products.