A C H A R A is an artisan studio based in Kilkenny, Ireland, run by maker and designer Mundy Walsh.
All A C H A R A Stationery is handmade in Ireland using vibrant colours to celebrate all special moments and relationships. Inspired by many things, not least the colours and deconstructed shapes of Ireland’s rich landscape, A C H A R A is a brand that values relationships and believes in celebrating them regularly. The name comes from the way to address a letter in Irish ‘A chara’, which means Dear Friend.
The back story from Mundy:
In 2021 (during Covid), I wanted to write letters to people and I didn’t find colourful or joyful stationery options. It was mainly a sea of pastels and I wanted something more visually impactful. So I started making, doing, creating. This was purely for my own needs and desire to connect with people when relationships were at a distance. I craved a more intimate experience, a physical object that would reach them: something they could hold in their hands, with my writing on it, when we couldn’t even be in the same room.
A passion developed. I made more and more and more. I wanted them to be ethically made and high quality. I kept going. I made a site. I made an Instagram page. I wrote to people.
Before 2021, I lived for many years in Florence working in arts management and as founding editor of literary journal The Sigh Press. In Italy I was inspired by the ideology of the Slow Food movement, which honours quality ingredients, prepared and cooked with care to be shared with friends and family. I wanted to create a contemporary stationery brand with a similar ethos, one that would emphasize meaningful connection — with yourself or with others — by putting pen to paper
I’ve been slowly expanding the range since 2021 and this will continue to include decorative and functional items. Colour is fundamental to me – it brings joy, helps us emote, and uplifts – and it is especially important now in a world that is getting more and more grey scale.
I use FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified, PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) certified or Cradle to Cradle certified paper, as well as sourcing materials locally and using recyclable packaging.
If you’d like to keep up-to-date with new releases and updates, follow A C H A R A on Instagram or sign up for the Newsletter at the bottom of the page. I’m on Substack as well: Creativity Through a Female Lens. There you’ll find interviews with creative women and some of my writing on artisan life in Ireland. You don’t need a Substack account to read the articles but if you do subscribe, you’ll receive them directly by email.
There is more information below or in the FAQ section. If you have any other questions or would like a custom order, etc., please contact me below.
Ireland’s Homes Interiors & Living, July 2022
Irish Independent, Weekend Magazine, Dec 2022
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INFORMATION
NOTES
Notes come in a packet of ten (this can vary) and all packaging is recyclable. Paper used is from 120-180gms, depending on the card/envelope and design. If you would like to buy a set that has become unavailable or would like a custom order, please contact me above.
NOTEBOOKS
Each notebook is bound, folded, and personalised by hand. They come in sizes A6 & A5, 100 flat-lay blank pages (80gsm FSC certified) and the spine is hand-sewn with 100% organic cotton thread. There is also a slim version which has approx. 50 pages. The covers are soft and there is a pocket on the back cover.
SUSTAINABLE
Materials are locally and ethically sourced as much as possible.
PRODUCTION TIME
Each item is made by hand by me (A C H A R A is a one-woman studio), so can take varying lengths of time to be shipped. Five business days is the average time but this can be longer depending on the time of year and how busy the studio is. If you need something urgently or have a certain time frame in mind, please email me (hello@acharastationery.com). Once the item is shipped, you will receive an email.
BESPOKE ORDERS
If you would like something customised, have specific colours in mind, or have any other special requests, please contact me via hello@acharastationery.com.
DELIVERY
Standard and registered postage is available almost worldwide.
All products can be shipped by An Post via standard or Registered post and the price is calculated at Checkout. If for some reason your country does not show a shipping rate at Checkout, please do email me at hello@acharastationery.com and I will sort out the issue.
Please bear in mind that all items available on the site are made-to-order by one person and so production times may vary (see above). If you would like something special or your order is urgent, please contact me prior to purchase.
Any taxes and duties upon arrival are the responsibility of the customer.
RETURNS
I hope you love your order but if the item is faulty, does not meet its description, etc., I offer a replacement (within 14 days of receipt) for orders returned in their original packaging, unused and in perfect condition. Please contact me to arrange this and receive a Return Number (RN). Return shipping is paid by the customer and must be returned within 14 days of receiving the RN.
Please be aware that the item must be in perfect condition and if not, I reserve the right to refuse an exchange/replacement if it is not possible to resell that item.
Personalised or bespoke items cannot be returned or refunded.