Are you a paper person? Someone who, like our founder, can get lost in the history and the magic of this worldly craft? Do you also struggle to find ways to use those gorgeous sheets? Well, struggle no more. We asked Paper Source stores across the country to weigh in with ideas–many of which came from PS customers!–to get your creative juices flowing.

From Ardmore to Apartment Therapy and Houston to Headquarters, read along as we unwrap the mystery of fine paper crafts.

Tips from Paper Source Store Locations…

Ardmore,Pennsylvania: Anne S. created this card sample using pleating and our Silhouette CAMEO to create the flower appliqué at the waistband.

Bellevue, Washington says:

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Many of us were brought together by the tragedy that fell upon Japan last year. For a company deeply rooted in Japanese fine paper, the tsunami disaster touched the ancient art form we hold dear and the overseas business partners who have provided the exquisite papers our customers adore.

Given our long-standing relationship with this supplier and our own company roots in Japanese paper, we felt it was necessary to lend a hand. As a creative way to provide additional support to Red Cross Japan, Paper Source launched a special initiative and donated a portion of fine paper sales to relief efforts organized by Red Cross Japan.

With our customers’ involvement our donation was a small way to fund rebuilding efforts and thank our partners for their long-time commitment to our business. Thanks to the outpouring of support from our paper lovers everywhere, more than 9,000 sheets of Japanese Fine Paper were sold as part of this program.

One year later, we look back and realize just how resilient our partners were during this catastrophe. Despite massive destruction in the area, our supplier continued production (they did not miss a single order cycle) as they began rebuilding. In fact, they continued development and in the months following the earthquakes produced several new paper styles that are now available.

These Yuzen and Katazome Japanese paper styles are a beautiful addition to our assortment and a wonderful symbol of the creativity that followed such devastation.

We felt the story of our supplier and their incredible creations would inspire all of you. And we hoped comments from our Japanese paper fans would inspire our friends in Japan, as they continue development of their craft and their community.

We invite readers to share comments about your love for paper making or to share links to projects that have been transformed by Japanese paper, and we will share your inspiring words with our supplier.

As paper lovers, many of us have been inspired by the latest additions to our fine paper assortment. There are now 250+ styles, and each has their own unique style.

How do you choose one?

Laura, Fine Paper Buyer for Paper Source, asks herself this question on a daily basis. She swims in an office filled with beautiful colors and incredible patterns, searching for the perfect compliments to our solid paper and envelopes and inspiration that helps you Do Something Creative Every Day.

To help us decide, we asked Laura to tell us about her latest faves. Not only did she point out two amazing styles, but she also provided a great background on the art of handmade paper.

Block Prints on Lokta Paper – Handmade in Nepal

For the two-tone papers, two wooden blocks are used per paper. For each color, an artist dips a wooden block into each color and applies the color to the paper.

With each print on paper, the artist re-dips and ensures the pattern is aligned correctly. The process is repeated until the paper is filled with the print. The paper is left in the sun to dry.

This is the same process as batik paper making. Instead of dipping a block in color, the artist dips a block in liquid wax and then prints on the paper. Once the paper is dry, the artist paints the paper with color and irons the paper to remove the wax.

Laura recommends:
Batik mums fine papers (also featured in images) and the new, two-tone block print fine papers.

Metallic Brush Strokes on Lokta Paper – Handmade in Nepal

Applying the fine brush strokes to the paper is a delicate process. The artist cuts the bristles of a paint brush irregularly. The artist holds the brush in a free flowing way and applies the metallic color with a light touch. The process is repeated until the paper is filled with the stroke pattern.

Laura recommends:
The new neutrals, but admits the Brush Stroke Purple Fine Paper is a her current fave

–Laura, PS Buying Team
PS colors: curry & gravel
Latest fave: custom stamps

Many of us have been glued to the television and internet, getting snippets of the horror that has befallen Japan. Only two weeks in, and it is shocking to see news coverage shifting to Libya and Wisconsin, while the country of Japan faces an overwhelming restart on virtually every front, with even more dire survival conditions remaining for hundreds of thousands of citizens.

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.
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