The Sunday Paper #318
June 28, 2020

Paper of the Week: Translucent Papers

I recently stumbled across these paper samples I put together for my book Paper Illuminated 20 years ago. They show a range of ways to make paper translucent: punching, tie dyeing, embedding, piercing, layering, printing, applying beeswax, using the old cut & pierce technique, and more. My book, now out of print, is getting harder to find, but I did find a copy on Amazon (it’s not cheap). You’ll find it here, along with a list of books about paper in my Amazon* shop.

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Inside the Studio, Literally!

I gave a one-hour virtual studio tour through the Creative Arts Workshop on June 19th. Thank you to those of you who attended! Here’s the replay… sit back and relax and enjoy an overview of my studio, a papermaking demo, and a peek inside of a few of my artist’s books.

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Papery Tidbits

• Have you had a chance to listen to my interview with Pam Thorne on Paper Talk?
• I am a member of the Craft Industry Alliance, an invaluable network of craft business owners. They have just launched a scholarship program and will award four craft business owners a one-year membership free of charge. As part of their commitment to creating a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion within our organization and the crafts industry as a whole, they highly encourage individuals with Black, Latinx, Asian, or Native American ancestry to apply. I have gained so much from my membership in this group. You can also join and pay for a membership* here.
• My summer online class, Paper + Light begins July 6th. Sign up for 4 weeks ($145) or 8 weeks ($260).
• I wrote last week about the bojagi piece that Steph Rue has donated to a fundraiser in support of the black lives matter movement. You can enter your name in the hat by going to the Japanese Americans for Justice instagram page now. Good luck!

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Kirigami (a type of origami that adds cutting to folding) principles show up in so many places! This show coating looks cool, but won’t be seen much. It serves a practical purpose though: gripping ice and other slick surfaces.

Makiko Kato Brookes is recycling her old newspapers by making them into boxes, household bins, small and large baskets, bags, and folders to use while she has been working from home. The reporter calls this origami, but I see paper weaving.

I love these unique mixed media works by Claudia Hershman, who uses materials such as tar paper as canvas or PVC pipes for a collage base. Click through to see more of her work.

If you’ve ever seen a Le Klint light fixture (or even if you haven’t), you’ll be mesmerized by this video that shows how to paper-like material is pleated, punched, and manipulated to create modern lamps. Make sure you scroll down at the link to watch the video!

More trash to treasures: check out these unique paper vessels made from junk and learn how to make your own. As seen in the New York Times.

Join me on Tuesday, June 30th at 1pm EST (12noon CST, 11am MST, 10am PST) for a one-hour online workshop via Zoom. We’ll work together in real time to create a paper weaving as we cut two complimentary papers into strips and weave them back together like a puzzle to create a work of art. Here’s a link to the facebook event page, where you can find all of the details and register. If you are not on facebook, you can register via Zoom here. This is a pay-as-you-wish event, and a link for payment will be provided during the event.

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