This isn’t the first tragedy triggering our compassion; however, Japan is very special to Paper Source – It is a treasured part of our heritage.

Sue Lindstrom, the founder of Paper Source, traveled to Japan almost 30 years ago to learn the craft of paper making, only to return entranced and committed to opening a store that would showcase the artistry. Over the decades, we have developed relationships with Japanese companies and small artisan workshops, in order to bring a full range of paper techniques and styles to enthusiasts across the United States.

Most of the workshops that create our papers have not been destroyed, but no Japanese citizen or business has been unaffected by the recent tragedy. We are currently working with several partners to see when shipping can resume, so that we are able to continue presenting their beautiful works of art, and they are able to sustain their livelihoods.

For the next six weeks, Paper Source will also donate 10% of Japanese paper sales to the American Red Cross Japan Relief Program, to help the many victims in Japan. While this contribution makes only a small dent in the endeavor ahead, it is an important signal of support to the many Japanese partners we have, furthering our founder’s hope to inspire people to discover the beauty and technique of Japanese papers.

Frame them, wrap with them, bind a book, make a card or sash an invitation. Whatever you do, the luminous beauty of these decorative papers will elevate your project. And, hopefully, help elevate the spirit of Japan, as everyone works through this most difficult time.

–Sally, Paper Source CEO
PS colors: papaya & pool
Latest fave: 2011 Paper Source Academic Grid Wall Calendar

Incorporate a beautiful fine paper design into your wedding suite with the subtle punch of a paper sash. Decorative sashes are an easy way to decorate wedding invitations, programs, favor boxes and more.

Here is our simple DIY formula:

Object width x 2 + 1” = sash length

Example: If you’re using half of an 8.5” x 11” sheet for wedding programs, the width of your object is 4.25” so your formula would look like this:

4.25” x 2 + 1 = 9.5” long sash

We make ours 1.5” wide, but you can adjust based on your style preferences. For more decorative sash inspiration, check out our Everyday Ideas section.

Table displays, like those from our Southport and Lincoln Park stores (shown here), provide endless inspiration for several springtime gift challenges– Find “that perfect gift,” stylish gift wrap, add accent (or don’t), and you’re done! Wrap a wedding gift with Black & White Iron Scroll Wrapping Paper and Persimmon Daisy Gift Wrap. Or grab the Great Mustaches Mug and a Decomposition Journal for a masculine graduation gift.

Or maybe you’re looking to freshen up your home decor? Treat yourself to a simple black and white redesign after tackling those daunting spring cleaning tasks. Apartment Therapy recently featured an upbeat selection of yellow, black and white rooms, which provides additional inspiration.

To help with your efforts, we’ve taken the beauty of our store display and compiled our favorite black and white products into one easy-to-shop category– click here and surround yourself with the classic beauty of black and white.

Simple, simple – I just covered the front of a folded card with a piece of gift wrap cut to size, added a strip of satin ribbon across the front, and used a letterpress tag as my sentiment. All with my favorite adhesive – double stick tape.

It’s an easy way to let the gift recipient know you went above and beyond to make a one of a kind package. And a great way to use those leftover wrapping paper scraps!

–Kristen
PS colors: peacock & chocolate
Latest fave: Satin Ribbon

To begin, I took three sizes of our vanilla craft boxes and covered each with the fine paper. I then trimmed the edges of the lids—as well as the top center of the second lid where the smallest box would sit—with chocolate grosgrain ribbon. To have the ribbon resemble decorative icing trim, I applied the ribbon by doubling back and adhering it in small folds (about 1 inch wide) using a hot glue gun. I used Diamond Stickles Glitter Glue to give the icing trim a soft gleam. I trimmed the bottom of each of the boxes with straight chocolate grosgrain ribbon.

When the layers were finished, I constructed the cake by attaching the stacked boxes with a hot glue gun. I then attached the whole cake to a piece of cardboard covered in Silver Glitter Wrapping Paper. Now for the fun part of decorating! Using flocked cream and opal shimmer papers, and templates from two sizes of our Magnolia Paper Flower Kits, I made a collection of magnolias to drape over the cake. I glittered the magnolia stamens with adhesive crystals and Stickles Glitter Glue. For a finishing touch, I placed green leaf trim on the straight grosgrain ribbon by anchoring it every few inches with Zots.

The cake box made a lovely centerpiece during our Wedding Suites Girls’ Night Out in March. A cake box can also be used as a wedding wish box to hold cards given to the bride and groom, as a table decoration at a bridal shower, or as a gift box for a special occasion.

–Denise, Paper Source Princeton Store
PS colors: violet & bluebell
Latest fave: Printable Round Labels

It’s a good idea to select your paper first, because that will affect how large your piece of art can be. For the base, all you need is a wood frame (this is where my dad helps!) Using scrap pieces of wood, he constructs a simple frame to the dimensions that I need. Canvas stretcher bars, which are quite inexpensive, also work well, and you can customize the size by choosing the lengths you buy. An old wooden frame without the glass/picture might also work. If you don’t have access to wood (or someone who can build the frame for you) you could also try old shoe boxes, shirt boxes, etc.

Lay your paper face down, and then place the frame on top (also face down). Fold the paper up over the sides to see how much you need around the edges so the paper can reach to the back of the frame; then, trim your paper to fit. Next, starting on the center of each side, fold the paper up and around to the back of the frame, and staple in place with a mechanical stapler. Pull the paper pretty taught, so that there are no wrinkles or bubbles on the front. Work your way around, inching out towards the corners as you move around the frame, stapling the paper to the back of the frame. I usually place a staple every inch and a half or so.

And that’s it, so easy, so affordable! The best part is, if you want to change up your room a little bit, all you have to do is get some new paper and staple it right over the old! For me, this is so great, because we ALWAYS have new paper coming in that I love and want to use!

–Alanna
PS colors: gravel & plum
Latest fave: Faux Bois Soap Set

I used super tacky tape and cut a strip of one of my favorite Japanese papers, Yuzen Cherry Blossom Clusters on Pool, to go around the candle tin. Then I used my old compass to make a 1.5” circle for the top of the jar. If you don’t have a compass, you can trace the candle tin, then cut the circle a bit smaller. Here’s a tip: apply the super tacky tape to the traced shape before cutting, so you won’t have to trim the tape afterwards. Next, take a box of matches and again using super tacky tape, wrap the box in the same decorative paper.

The final addition was a gift tag, with my friend’s first initial cut out of some of the leftover paper. By applying the tape before cutting out the letter, I essentially made a monogram “sticker.” The last step was to tie the pieces together with satin ribbon for an adorable little gift set!

– Karen
PS colors: moss & papaya
Latest fave: Persimmon Perpetual Calendar and Fabric Thumbtacks

It is then put into a metal drum along with ash and water to produce pulp. The pulp is mixed with water and poured into wooden frames to dry in the sun. Once it’s dry, the pulp becomes a natural, eco–friendly paper prized for its superior strength, durability and rich texture!

These papers are processed in the city of Kathmandu by women co-operatives using simple technology. The paper is colored and patterned there, then laid in the sun again to dry resulting in the beautiful decorative sheets you see in our stores and online. Because of the handmade nature of these papers and the fact that they are subject to changes in climate, there may be slight variations in weight and color which makes each product truly unique!

These qualities, along with the incredible colors and patterns available, make these lovely fine papers wonderfully suited for embellishing wedding invitations or handmade cards, in bookbinding, and as spectacular gift wrapping!

– Kelly
PS colors: beet & gravel
Latest fave: Decorative Paper

Invited to a summer BBQ recently, I tried this fun decorative idea to transport my go-to homemade brownies (a jazzed up version of the boxed kind that could fool anyone). While I like to use something inexpensive that I can leave behind, those disposable aluminum trays kind of kill the presentation. And if my mother taught me anything, it’s that presentation is key.

The solution? Just a few sheets of decorative paper and a little bit of double-stick tape!

A few cuts and folds later my boring aluminum tray is cheery and far more presentable. (I used Chartreuse Dots since I also had some coordinating napkins on hand.) I found it easier in some areas to tape the paper to itself or to another layer of paper rather than directly to the aluminum. Depending on how much butter your recipe calls for, I also recommend placing a layer of wax or parchment paper along the bottom to prevent grease marks.

Really nothing more than wrapping an unusually shaped gift– but you’re left with something lovely that you don’t mind leaving behind.

Happy summer to all!

P.S. The secret to my brownies: I add a little espresso powder and chopped walnuts to the boxed brownie mix for professional flavor.

–Kristen
PS colors: pool & chocolate
Latest fave: Gold, Pink Dots Nesting Box – great to have around for last minute gift wrapping.