The Magic of Marbelling

Painting on water is magical! Floating colors of pigmented inks on water creates a vast possibility of patterns. Traditional methods go back hundreds of years. Marblers made gorgeous decorative end papers for books and art pieces incorporating calligraphy which stand on their own throughout Asia, Turkey and the Western world.

Above are a few of our hand marbled papers from Italy. These use a freeform pattern creating a loose aqueous feel in soft hues and golds. Below is a video, not to be missed! The artist Seyit Uygur creates marbled images that are highly unique and works of art on their own. 

Manipulating color on the surface of the water, using methods as blowing through a straw, pushing and pulling with pins, bamboo, even hair or simply fanning the water aids in making a unique statement. Below are our marbled momogami papers from Thailand. These papers are soft and incredibly strong. More recently we have seen them used as wall papers and collage.

Our Declutter Friends: Pouches & Boxes

The whole idea of decluttering and tidying is to clear our minds and enjoy a fresh aesthetic. 

At Paper-Ya we appreciate beauty and style too! Choose from our pouches for tucking pencils and pens away or a really pretty box for the "little nothings" drawer. We all have no shortage of small things that need to be gathered or organized.

Not all pouches and boxes are for managing our clutter. Some pouches go shopping or to parties, as they make the perfect little purse. Some boxes hold our most treasured memories and keepsakes.  

Do life with style while receiving the pleasure some simple things can give. A well designed pouch or a beautiful, useful box, now that, is simple!

Naughty or nice~Gifts For the Stocking or Under the Tree

For her, something special that will be a joy to use everyday! Be prepared to see a huge smile on her face when she opens up her gift to find one of these babies!

Its fun to watch men in our store, they shop very differently than the ladies. They go directly to our "man case" and say, "I'll have that." No fuss. No muss. These are some of the more popular choices (according to our observations!)

For the sweet peas in your life, Paper-Ya is a treasure island. For all ages, and this includes the young at heart, you will find a little something special, different, functional and fun. 

By the way, it is quite common to hear our customers say that they are embarrassed to admit that some of their Christmas purchases are for themselves! Oh, how naughty! Don't worry, you are not alone! Enjoy the season~

The Beautiful Art of Calligraphy: Getting Started

View fullsize

Calligraphy and Design by Fox and Flourish | Invitation, envelope liner, wax seal from Paper-Ya, flowers by Celsia Floral | Photo by Tahnee Sanders

Calligraphy has a rich and beautiful history and is considered to be one of the world's oldest forms of writing.  V. Lazursky describes it as "a kind of music not for the ears, but for the eyes." It allows you to paint words across a page and bring a new layer of meaning to the text. With all the styles out there in this art form, it can be quite daunting to try to learn!  

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

Starting calligraphy takes investment in the right tools, some patience, and lots of practice. Beginning with a simple dipping pen, ink (we have plenty of scrumptious colors to choose from!) and a few different nibs is a great starter kit. 

View fullsize

View fullsize

There are many different sources to help you figure out where to begin, so don't worry! Books, video tutorials, and our newest edition of the Uppercase Magazine can all help you figure out what style you'd like to experiment in.

Christina Luo, calligraphy and lettering artist based in Vancouver and creative mind behind Fox and Flourish, gives this piece of advice, "Find a class or workshop (either in-person or online) that teaches the style of calligraphy that you are drawn to. There are so many different subsets: copperplate, spencerian, gothic, blackletter, and of course the more modern takes on pointed pen. Once you learn how to use the tools properly, work on mastering that alphabet, and once you feel confident in the consistency of your letterforms, continue to add our own style."  Christina offers workshops for modern pointed pen calligraphy in Vancouver. 

A ethereal shoot on Mt. Seymour reminiscent of blush tones on bright white snow. Gold and black ink. Photo by Nadia Hung Photography. Calligraphy by Fox and Flourish. All handmade paper from Paper-Ya.

Inspired by the white sand of Mexico beaches for a wedding in Tulum. White and black ink. Photo by Blush Wedding Photography. Calligraphy by Fox and Flourish. All handmade paper from Paper-Ya.

Photo by Corinne Krogh Photography. Calligraphy by Fox and Flourish. All handmade paper from Paper-Ya.

Something for the literary couples, this was made for an elopement shoot to echo pale blue hues and gold tones. Gouache paint. Calligraphy and photo by Fox and Flourish. All handmade paper from Paper-Ya.

Calligraphy by Fox and Flourish.

Calligraphy by Fox and Flourish.

Above are just a few examples of the beautiful things you can create with paper, pen, and ink. There are so many reasons to love calligraphy, and when asked why she loves the art form, Christina said, "That moment when the ink is still drying onto the paper, and afterwards, how you can run your fingers across the words and physically feel what was just written mere minutes ago. I'm drawn to the ephemeral and nostalgic quality of it, but as a graphic designer by trade, I think it's so amazing that we can take these handwritten words and create digital copies of them for my other paper- based love, the art of print!" 

Calligraphy can be used to personalize a gift, create party invitations, commemorate a special event and so much more. It truly is a stunning art form! Visit us soon, and get started.

The Bold & Beautiful Stendig Calendar

The Stendig Calendar, which happens to be the only calendar in the design collection of the Museum of Modern Art, has proudly been sold at Paper-Ya for many years now. The beautiful and functional piece of art was designed by Massimo Vignelli in 1966 and has been enjoyed in many homes since.

Kathryn and Perry's "Have Less Do More" Apartment | Apartment Therapy | Photo by Ashley Poskin

The boldly designed calendar measures three feet by four feet and switches between a black background with white letters and numerals and a white background with black letters and numerals for the different months. 

"Sweeden in Scotland" | Canvice | Photo by cushandnooks

Stendig themselves suggest that this "impressive wall calendar (in the European style where Monday is the first day of the week), makes a great corporate gift, especially for architects, interior designers, real estate agents, or others in the home or design industry." And, since it is a classic design, it can be incorporated into many different places! 

Another snapshot interview with a favorite local artist, Kaori from Sleepless Kao!

Kaori, where did the name Sleepless Kao come from?

It's because I don't sleep much and I really like to make art late at night when most people have gone to bed; and my nickname is Kao. Don't worry though, I catch up on my sleep in the mornings!

What gives you inspiration for your drawings?

Usually, there will be a sudden warm feeling that begins in my body, near my heart. Things will pop up, and if I have pens and paper close by, I will start to doodle. Often I will see a beautiful pattern and color composition in nature, and that will be the inspiration. Old songs from my past with nice associations can also be inspiration, like Crowded House's "Don't Dream It's Over," because that is from my generation.

When did you start creating artwork, and how has it evolved over time?

I started drawing at 3 years old - pen and paper first. Jumping ahead to arts school, I moved toward the computer and drawing things realistically in the various foundation classes. After graduating however, I took what I learned from the life drawing and theory classes, and brought that back into a traditional kawaii Japanese style which I love.

How do you make the prints, like the ones we sell at Paper-Ya?

I make my prints two different ways - one is silkscreen, and the other is digitally by using design programs like Illustrator and Photoshop on my Mac computer.

What's one piece of advice for those wanting to start creating and selling their own artwork?

I think it is good to be aware of whom you are creating for. It is quite rare to meet someone who is doing exactly what they want and making a living with their art. Usually, there are external demands from a client or influences from the general public at large. For example, when I am asked to create some promotional material, like a poster or a logo, I think of myself as a designer for hire and will happily receive artistic direction. If the client does not like a drawing, it does not affect my ego, and there is no conflict. However, when I am preparing for a solo or group show, I present artwork that is solely from my point of view. I think the sooner an artist can come to terms with how much they are willing to please people, the better. Making sure that I make time for my own personal projects really replenishes the well, so when I am required to manifest someone else's vision, I have the capacity to let go of my artistic preferences. 

Thanks so much to Kaori for these wonderful answers. Paper-Ya loves carrying the Sleepless Kao prints in our store! 

Our new handmade Indian papers await you!

These new and very cool Indian handmade papers hang on the racks at the store waiting for your ideas. Gorgeous metallics in bronzes and golds printed on thick natural fibers. Click thru the slide show and enjoy the colors and the quirky and sophisticated designs.

Think of using as wall paper for a zap of style on one wall in an entrance or hall way! Get bold and have some fun.