We are well known for our collection of high quality fine papers – but how much do you know about how they are made? Some of our best selling Lokta papers – Black and White Paisley and Gold Mums on Cream – are hand-crafted by Nepalese artisans. The material used for making these papers is the daphne plant, grown in the Himalayas. The bark of this plant is cleaned and cut into small pieces, then beaten with a wooden hammer until it’s reduced to fibers.
It is then put into a metal drum along with ash and water to produce pulp. The pulp is mixed with water and poured into wooden frames to dry in the sun. Once it’s dry, the pulp becomes a natural, eco–friendly paper prized for its superior strength, durability and rich texture!
These papers are processed in the city of Kathmandu by women co-operatives using simple technology. The paper is colored and patterned there, then laid in the sun again to dry resulting in the beautiful decorative sheets you see in our stores and online. Because of the handmade nature of these papers and the fact that they are subject to changes in climate, there may be slight variations in weight and color which makes each product truly unique!
These qualities, along with the incredible colors and patterns available, make these lovely fine papers wonderfully suited for embellishing wedding invitations or handmade cards, in bookbinding, and as spectacular gift wrapping!
— Kelly
PS colors: beet & gravel
Latest fave: Decorative Paper
I love handmade papers and this is awesome to see how these are made. Thanks for sharing!!! Linda
Makes me appreciate the paper all the more to see how it is made and by beautiful women from so far away. Labor intensive.
Thanks,
Sandy
Thank you for this blog entry showing who creates the Lokta paper. So many people who walk into our store (Paper Source, Carlsbad) are blown away at the beautiful sheets of paper hanging there, they just stand and stare, amazed, as I am each day that I come in. Knowing that it is made by these incredible people in Nepal makes me feel like I’m able to see something, and have something, so incredibly special. I wonder if they know in Nepal how much we love it!
What a great blog post. I love the photographs, and hearing more about the origins of my favorite paper! I discovered your Lokta paper a couple of years ago, and was so happy that I blogged about it! http://herbanlifestyle.wordpress.com/2008/09/20/great-paper-discovery/
I use it to wrap my handmade soaps. People love the textures and colors of the paper. And they also love learning that it is handmade in women’s cooperatives. Great stuff!