A College Professor, an Advertising Manager, and an Uptight Letterpress Printer walk into a bar…wait, no, that happens later… Earlier they walked into the alchemy of friends together, three inked up presses, and plentiful fair trade paper that made for a fun day thriving with shared creative energy. Thanks, Friends!

The College Professor and Ad Manager quickly got the hang of platen press printing while the uptight Letterpress printer relaxed and took photos.

Carol’s classic stationery and Karen’s modern holiday complete with snoozing feline. Both printed on fair trade jute and paired with fair trade marble papers.

It was exactly a year ago that I visited Bonoful Handmade Paper in Muktagacha, Bangladesh. I am still inspired by the industrious creativity of the women there. These women are the primary wage earners for their families. Prior to arriving at Bonoful they were unskilled and had little opportunity for employment. Seeing them work puts a face on fair trade and reminds me that it’s possible in my isolated western culture to make choices that have a positive effect on their families on the other side of the world.

dipping paper sheets

Busy Workroom

Feeling paper pulp fibers.  Photos by Maebird