In the Studio:

This week’s work brings you The Paper of the Week, a new column in The Sunday Paper.

Stay tuned… in the coming weeks, I’m going to be inviting you to:

• support my blog by making a donation if you’re a reader
• sponsor The Paper of the Week by promoting your products if you’re a supplier

And as always, a big thank you for following my adventures in paper! 

P.S. I’ve created a pinterest board that features all of the previous issues of The Sunday Paper. Check it out!

Paper of the Week: Vegetable Papyrus 

Vegetable Papyrus: left to right: green pepper, daikon radish, red pepper, zucchini

When steamed, pressed and dried, slices of vegetables fuse together to make this unusual paper, and the intricate patterns of the seeds and veins in the veggies become visible. Real papyrus, used in ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, is made by overlapping pieces of the stalk of the papyrus plant, then pounding or pressing the pieces together. This technique can also be used with slices of common household vegetables (but don’t expect your veggie papyrus to be as durable or long lasting as traditional papyrus). Find detailed instructions for making this paper in my book Papermaking with Garden Plants & Common Weeds. 

Have you made vegetable papyrus? I’d love to hear what vegetables or fruits were successful.

The Sunday Paper #55

Cardborigami, have you heard of it? Wow! Watch this video about Tina Hovsepian, the 2015 Toyota Mother of Invention winner, a remarkable woman honored for contributing to her community and the world through innovation, entrepreneurship, and invention. Check out her cardboard origami homeless shelters that are helping people all over the world. 

Now I know that vaccinations are a touchy subject, but the French duo Zim & Zou has created a vibrant series of vaccination tools (pretty enough to charm even a worried kid) as part of the Art of Saving a Life, a cross-disciplinary campaign to help bring life-saving vaccines to children everywhere.

As far as I know, wet folded origami is only done by a few, and it takes finesse: too little water and the paper dries before the folding is done; too much water, and the paper will rip. Check out Vietnamese artist Hoàng Tiến Quyết’s incredible animals, as featured on Bored Panda.

Have you heard of lunchbag art? These parents make art on their kids paper lunch bags and napkins. Imagine the delight when they take out their lunch at school. Some parents feel challenged or even threatened (those competitive souls) – and I get that –  but come on, we all need more art in our lives (and what a creative way to bring art back into schools)! 

Nina Levy’s luxuriously decorated paper napkin for her son Ansel

A 2009 PBS story about Jim and Melody Croft has been recirculating around the internet this week. This is a lovely profile of the couple, who intentionally live much different lives than most of us.