I love paper! I’ve been a collage artist for many years and making paper has been one of my favorite hobbies. I don’t have so much time to do either lately but I’m still fascinated by the incredible array of handmade artisan papers available these days. Recently, I was asked to review some paper products – cards and a calendar specifically -- from a company called Botanical PaperWorks (co-founded by Heidi Reimer-Epp and her mother Mary Reimer). I agreed to review the products and I’m very glad I did. Botanical PaperWorks, located in Manitoba, Canada, makes beautiful cards, journals, and calendars from plantable seed paper. Plantable paper is “tree-free” as it’s made from either cotton fiber or 100% post-consumer waste. The seeds – wildflower and often organic – are implanted in the paper as it is made. Most importantly, the papermakers are paid a living wage.
My favorite item is the calendar. It comes packaged in a reusable tin and each month’s page is printed with soy ink on plantable paper. So, when the month is spent, you plant it and there’s nothing left behind but flowers and memories. Sweet.
The cards are lovely. I favor the recipe cards that come with a strip of plantable seeded paper and a recipe. The company sent me the “Iced Mint and Green Tea” recipe card. Plant the mint seeds and once they’ve grown into plants, you gather some mint to use for the recipe. I’m not sure if it’s the gardener, the cook, or the mojito-lover in me that favors these cards (the mint card in particular) but they are lovely and I think you'll agree. In any case, check out the Heidi’s blog Stationery Scoop to learn more about her products. They’ve made the Gathering Home Green Gift List!!
