Local Gift & Cards Shop Offers Unique Invitations For Community

Photographer / Belinda Russell

You can’t give Kristyn Davidson just any card. As the owner of Oliver’s Twist, a paper goods and gift shop, she breathes designer cards.

Davidson treasures a special card from her husband. The front made her smile with a picture of a sloth. “Slow clap,” the card said. Inside, her husband congratulated her on opening a new storefront. He admired her hard work.

Davidson didn’t intend to be a small business owner. Her creativity and her mom, Becky Oliver, swept her into this role, and she loves where she landed.

Oliver’s Twist began to take shape as Davidson planned her wedding. She ordered invitations locally and began making her own programs and place cards. Then, she helped her friends plan and proof their invitations.

Eventually, her mom asked her if she’d like to make an invitation business. They quickly filed as an LLC. Oliver began her job as Davidson’s business partner  though they aren’t ones for titles. They just enjoy working as mother and daughter, and it’s not as complicated as people assume, Davidson says.

Oliver inspired Davidson to take the leap into being a full-time business owner. Davidson had taught at an elementary school for a few years, but Oliver’s Twist began to steal her away. “If you’re not sure, it’s time to try something new while you’re young,” Oliver says.

The words pushed her into the career change, but an entrepreneurial spirit had been developing since childhood. Davidson’s father owned a lumber company when she was a child, and she learned to work hard and be kind.

Davidson seeks to be welcoming to her customers when she works. But even when she’s away, the store’s bright, cheerful atmosphere bring her message.

“There rarely goes by a day I can’t call a customer by name who comes into the shop,” Davidson says. “That’s what I love about a small business — I love the community aspect of it.”

Connecting with people is in the business. That’s where she gets the motto “Paper + People.”

“It’s about the people in your life that you’re sending these mailings to, and what they mean to you and what your card says about you,” Davidson says.

Davidson likes connecting people through invitations and cards. Her personal routine is sending at least two cards a week. If there’s no occasion, she sends some just for fun.

Davidson does acknowledge that not all mail is created equal. While a quirky letterpress card is sweet for friendly letters, large occasions require a detail-oriented approach.

Oliver’s Twist has a section just for brides and serves around 80 a year. Davidson likes to meet with the brides around three times to get their style and voice.

Davidson picks out the invitations herself, and sometimes with her husband, and ensures her collection is beautiful and succinct. She wants to make it an experience for the brides, one you can’t get ordering online.

Oliver’s Twist offers the beauty in snail mail. Davidson loves the card her husband gave her to congratulate her move to Carmel City Center. It’s a token far greater than a “good job, Babe” text or a Facebook post. Paper sets the moment apart.

Oliver’s Twist is located at Veteran’s Way, 800 S Range Line Rd Suite #255. It’s open from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday – Thursday, and 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. from Friday – Saturday. You can also visit them online at oliverstwistpaper.com or give them a call at 317-569-8420 for more information.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Send me your media kit!

hbspt.forms.create({ portalId: "6486003", formId: "5ee2abaf-81d9-48a9-a10d-de06becaa6db" });