Hello and welcome! My name is Julia, otherwise known as the Spotted Sparrow. I'm an American expat, living in Germany since 2007 with my husband and our world traveling cat, Zelda.

I have always been drawn to paper, but didn’t realize how obsessed I was until I made my own wedding invitations. I loved everything about the process – from selecting the paper and designing the layout, to the smell and feel of paper in my hands. After our wedding, I found myself looking for reasons to make greeting cards, books, and anything else involving paper. I took Photoshop and Illustrator classes to bolster my graphic design skills, and made cards for friends and family. When I wasn't glued to the computer and paper cutter, I was searching for buried treasure in thrift stores and flea markets. I began using these vintage inspirations in my work, combining the charm of yesteryear with modern simplicity. The more paper products I made, the more I became conscience of their potential environmental impact. I spent a lot of time researching papers and manufacturers, learning how paper is produced and what environmentally friendly options were available. I found a local, environmentally friendly paper manufacturer and began using only FSC-certified paper. And so began the Spotted Sparrow - a combination of my love of paper, vintage goodies, and the environment.

The Spotted Sparrow offers handmade, eco-friendly, vintage inspired paper goods. Make your best friend laugh until she snorts with a silly card, score major brownie points with your girlfriend with a love coupon booklet, or make yourself happy by hanging a new print on your wall. Each item is individually handmade in my smoke-free, cat-friendly studio. All products are made from recycled, re-purposed, or FSC-certified paper, allowing you to enjoy pretty paper goods while leaving little to no environmental impact.

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