Jenelle Gartner sits at a computer in her small but cozy office on 124 street where she meets clients who hire her to design invitations and stationery for events of all kinds. A cabinet lines one wall and it’s packed with boxes full of beautifully designed invitations, while bulletin boards display some of the bigger items, including pieces from her own wedding. She’s been working all morning, but she’s surprised by how fast the day is going. But, she says, the days often go quickly, and it’s been that way since she started in 2009.
Wedding invitations, table decorations, signs for the big day and other decorative items make up a large part of her work. She runs her graphic design business, Pinkpolka Invitations & Stationery, on her own and, in 2013, she worked on items for about 80 weddings, along with many corporate and social events. And while she has a steady stream of interested clients, she initially took her time when building her business.
