Meet Pollyanna: A life in paper and print
Hannah Morris
Usually the 'interviewer', asking clients about their stationery needs, we managed to drag Pollyanna away from her desk for 10 minutes to ask her a few questions about what makes her tick and get to know the person behind the name on your stationery.
How did you first get into stationery and print?
Although I grew up knowing my family’s newspaper story well, I found my way into printing almost by accident. I originally studied Interior Architecture but knew early on that it wasn’t my calling. After dragging myself through the degree, I spent six months working out what was meant for me.
When my father’s 65th birthday approached, I was asked to create his invitations, menus and place cards. I poured myself into the project, and someone suggested I could build a career in that world. I had no idea it even existed. I rushed out to buy wedding magazines, searched the directory of stationers and applied to three. One replied - and that same week I began my career at Alastair Lockhart in Knightsbridge.
Where does your passion for stationery come from?
The moment I stepped into the stationery world, I knew it was where I belonged. Unlike industries chasing the next cutting‑edge thing, stationery thrives on tradition and craftsmanship. Conqueror paper, for instance, has been around since 1888- and remains unmatched in quality. There’s something grounding about working with materials that have stood the test of tim
What do you love most about stationery today?
Everything. The smell of inks and machines, the weight and texture of fine paper, the spark that comes with the initial design, and the smile when a customer sees their finished piece - it’s a world that lets time pause, even briefly. I also love that it’s one of the few creative industries not swept away by rapid technological change.
Your favourite pen - and why?
My favourite pen, which I waited 15 years to own, is my Mont Blanc fountain pen. It has a satisfyingly thick nib - essential for me, as I write with a heavy hand and most pens simply can’t keep up. If for some reason my fountain pen is out of reach, I happily revert to a pencil. A simple lead can be surprisingly joyful.
Your single best tip for improving handwriting
People often ask how to improve their handwriting. There are several techniques, but one simple principle stands out: slow down. Making deliberate, conscious marks forces you to focus on form and stroke. It sounds easy- and it really is.
Tell us a bit about your desk
My desk is a sacred, meticulously organised space. My business is a big part of my identity (alongside being a mum and a wife), and during Covid it became a place of comfort and escape. It’s where I create, imagine, and shape the right stationery for each person - whether a wedding invitation, correspondence card or memorial booklet. Every piece is uniquely measured for its recipient. I don’t use templates, and I’m proud of that.
Hobbies and creative outlets
My main -and wonderfully terrifying hobby is gymnastics. I trained as a child, stepped away for 15 years, then returned at 33 as an adult. I now compete every year in the British Gymnastics Championships, specialising in tumbling. It’s exhilarating, challenging and completely addictive.
Likes and dislikes in the world of stationery
Comic Sans. Enough said.
More delicately, it can be tricky when someone requests something garish or simply doesn’t work. I always try to guide them gently toward a more beautiful solution. I adore experimenting, and my personal favourite technique is foiling- that delicious, indented imprint in the card that feels as good as it looks.
A favourite project you’re proud of
I don’t have a single favourite piece -they’re all beautiful - but I do have favourite stories. Over 20 years, I’ve met so many charming people who return to me time and time again. It’s deeply moving to be asked to create funeral and memorial booklets that reflect the tone and history of a family. I’ve cried more than once while proof‑reading them.
Your dream penpal
A wonderful question. I’d love to write to an English rose like Emma Thompson or Emily Blunt. But if I were feeling especially brave… Charles Dickens.
