December 13, 2022
Whether it’s desktop trinkets like washi tape and pencils or giftable items like pocket mirrors and socks, everything from Smarty Pants comes dressed up in bold prints and eye-catching colors that are sure to brighten your day— and your home office.
Artist Kate Thurman first discovered her passion for art and printmaking when she printed her very first note card at the ripe old age of nine years old. In 2005, she got serious about designing stationery. A modest operation that began in her spare bedroom has since taken on a life of its own, offering fun and useful keepsakes including pins and patches, magnets and bespoke pencils, in addition to paper goods.
Smarty Pants Paper Co. has moved on from the bedroom and now has it’s very own studio in Knoxville, TN. While their items aren’t strictly Tennessee-themed, there are nods to Kate’s southern roots in some of her products, such as some passive-aggressive pencils inscribed with “bless your heart” or a note card with the benediction: “greetings from the dirty south”.
We love Smarty Pants Paper Co.’s signature stickers, patches, and enamel pins as thoughtful little tokens, or a way to personalize your own laptop, jean jacket, or canvas tote bag. Everything from Smarty Pants Paper Co. is supremely giftable, whether you’re looking to add some flair to a friendly gift package, level up your stocking stuffers, or want to surprise a friend with an offbeat trinket “just because”.
Made in TN is proud to offer Smarty Pants Paper Co. products. Find your favorite here.
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October 21, 2025
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If you’ve spent any time in Music City, it seems the Spirit of Nashville posters and prints pop up just about everywhere, from restaurant walls and corporate lobbies to homes in every neighborhood in town. The Spirit of Nashville brand has become synonymous with the “it” city itself, serving as its unofficial calling card and celebrating Nashville’s diverse music history, arts culture, architecture, cuisine, and iconic attractions.
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