Blush Handmade Paper

Blush Handmade Paper

The Sunday Paper #180, October 22, 2017

Paper of the Week: Oblation Papers & Press

Oblation Papers & Press is making new blush handmade paper from cotton fibers recycled from the garment industry. This nuanced color is now available in a new size, for folded pocket notes, and a new journal. The calligraphy notes collection features modern handlettering in collaboration with local calligrapher, Andi Allison, from old city mailroom. The inspiration journal is hand bound, with a little dog image and quote from Edith Wharton.

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In the Studio:

In the spirit of the upcoming Twelve Months of Paper Calendar, I made a video featuring this watermarked handmade paper that is featured in the custom paper pack. Have you ordered your calendar yet? Orders placed by October 25th – that’s this coming Wednesday – will receive a bonus pack of kite paper for making window stars. Here’s the link.

Papery Tidbits

  • I’m offering a Twelve Months of Paper workshop in Denver that includes creating a selection of paper projects, plus a copy of the 2018 calendar and a custom paper pack at Highline Cohousing Community on November 4th.
  • Vail Valley Peeps: Get a head start on the holiday season at the Alpine Arts Center. We’re creating several of the projects featured in the Twelve Months of Paper Calendar on Tuesday, November 14th. Paper fun for adults & kids!
  • Have you taken an online class? I just started teaching them this year, and most of the participants surveyed said they’d never taken one! I’m offering a trial-size (mini online class at a great price) during the 25 Days of Paper (December 1-25). Find out more under Package #3 at this link.

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Who thinks up this stuff? Paperself are the world leaders and inventors of the paper lash, originally inspired by the ancient art of paper cutting. They are the first of their kind that feature beautifully intricate designs letting you adorn your eyes with gorgeous storytelling lashes. Here are the Halloween lashes, but there are many others!

These delicate paper cuts by Kiri Ken as seen on This is Colossal are exquisite, and from what I can tell, they’re cut by hand!

© Kiri Ken


I love Anathi “Elpee” Nkanyuza’s curiosity for smoke on paper as a medium. “With pencil, paint or oil you are in control; you are the leader but with smoke you have to follow its lead. Sometimes I have an idea of what I want to create but the smoke does not put it the way I want, and all I can do is to follow the smoke and manipulate it, so this keeps you on the edge and you never know what to expect.” This is similar to how I work with paper.

City smoke artist Anathi Nkanyuza.Picture: Thobile Mathonsi


Here’s a brief history of paper flowers, accompanied by this image, possibly the oldest surviving paper flowers.

Here’s an interesting business article about art. STPI in Singapore, a paper and print studio founded by Ken Tyler, is celebrating 15 Years and is still pushing the boundaries and paper and print (which they began in America many years earlier). I found it intriguing to read about how it was difficult at first to convince artists to make work there and collectors to acquire a new type of work, but it looks like STPI held out and got both sides on board.

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About our Sponsor: Oblation Papers & Press is an urban paper mill, letterpress print shop and old-world paper boutique in Portland, Oregon. They also offer their work in wholesale exhibitions in New York, Tokyo and Paris. Follow Oblation Papers & Press on Instagram.

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Thanks again to those of you who have pledged your support, and enjoy your Sunday!

2 Comments

  1. The delicate paper cuts by Kiri Ken are so beautiful, what patience, thanks for the link.

  2. Kiri Ken! How does she do it? Incredible strength in the paper and cuts and such accuracy is astounding to see!