Sustainable...we hear it all the time. But what does it mean? Sustainability is a complex subject, but basically it is the capacity to endure. We all want that!

We wanted to tell you about a company that has committed themselves to an eco-friendly production of cards, boxes and wrap. They have gone the extra kilometer. Smock creates beautiful letterpress cards on bamboo paper! This soft paper is luxuriously thick which responds to the letterpress printing process beautifully. Bamboo is a plant that does not require pesticides or fertilizers to grow. And surprisingly, bamboo generates substantially more oxygen than hardwood trees and absorbs four times as much carbon. Smock also use only vegetable oil based and low VOC inks.

 

 

 

Filed under  //   certified green   on the shelves   staff picks   stationery  
Posted May 26, 2011
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Thanksgiving. It is that wonderful time of year to give thanks and express our gratitude for family, friends and the bounty we enjoy in Canada

There are so many occasions to show our gratitude throughout the year. A hand written card is such a pleasure to receive and as always feels so good to give. But sometimes it is hard to find the words to express our deep felt appreciation. Fear not, help is on its way! Just google “saying thank you.” You will find endless combinations of inspiration to help you express those magic words... It is that easy!

We wanted to show you these thank you cards by Anna Bond and her husband Nathan of the Rifle Paper Co. This is what they say... ”We strongly believe life's personal stories and moments are best told through the gift of a hand-written card or note, and hope that our goods inspire you to share these moments with others”.

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Paper-Ya!

Filed under  //   inspiration and tips   staff picks   stationery  
Posted October 2, 2010
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The Limited-Production, All-Natural Macinari Ballpoint Pen is pure Japanese craftmanship. Made from woods like walnut, tulip, and amarello

Designed by Housei Suzuki and engineered using a special Numerical Control machine for the intricate wooden parts. Not only is it gorgeous but it is also a pleasure to hold as so many objects made from nature are. We wanted to tell you about them since it is that time to get back to work at school or the office. Macinari pens are all made of wood except refills. Colours are all natural without any coating or painting. As they are handmade, they are produced only up to 100 per month.

Stay inspired!

Filed under  //   gifts to give and receive   inspiration and tips   on the shelves   presentation   staff picks   stationery  
Posted September 17, 2010
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Elegant & classy wax seal is a great way to make your letter/creation stand out. Here's how to make it [video]

The concept of using personal seals dates back to ancient Egypt, where seals were applied to documents using strips of material. Over the ages, seals have been composed of clay, bees wax, resin and more recently sealing wax.

Sealing an envelope with a wax seal is a great way to make your letter stand out from the rest as it adds a touch of elegance and class.

There are generally two methods to apply wax seals. In the first method, you can directly apply the melted wax to your document/envelope before applying the seal, as shown in the video below:

In the second method, you can choose to apply all your seals to non-stick craft paper (a.k.a. wax paper) first, as shown in the video below. After the seals hardens, peel off and apply to the original document or envelope with craft glue. This method ensures that every finished product has a perfect seal. We recommend practicing before applying your seals to your creations. 

The wax seal stamper should be oiled before each use. Baby, mineral & vegetable oil all work well.

Filed under  //   crafts   inspiration and tips   invitations   on the shelves   staff picks   stationery  
Posted September 5, 2010
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