Thursday 30 October 2008

Meet the Makers - Kate of Paperleaf

The latest in our series of 'Meet the Makers' features brings you Kate of Paperleaf - an amazing online store selling some of the most beautiful printed stationary I've seen!



I'm Kate, originally from Staffordshire but now living in Oxford where I'm studying for my PhD in medical engineering. I have always loved crafts since I was young, when I used to make barbie doll outfits on my mum's old sewing machine. Fast forward 20 years and I made my wedding dress this summer on that same old machine, perhaps my most ambitious (or insane, depending on how you look at it) crafty endeavour to date!

I started PaperLeaf, my fledgling stationery business, around 6 months ago after I became seriously addicted to Gocco, a crazy screenprinting technique from Japan. The only possible justification for making hundreds of cards was to start selling them, so here I am! All of my cards are made from post-consumer waste recycled material and packaged in clear bags made from corn starch which is biodegradable and compostable. I also take custom orders for wedding invitations which I adore!



I love the global indie craft scene that has emerged over the past few years. The handmade movement fits in perfectly with the increase in social conscience and environmental awareness at the start of the 21st century, and events such as Handm@de Oxford just go to show that we can make a difference! This year I've signed up to the handmade pledge and hope to buy most, if not all of my Christmas presents from online craft communities and events such as Handm@de Oxford.

You can find my stationery at Folksy (£), Etsy ($) and DaWanda (EUR). Visit my blog for more information about me.

3 comments:

Katy Clouds said...

I have to say, I have a bunch of Kate's postcards for the handm@de goody bags, and they are beautiful, high quality and fabulous.

Kate said...

Thanks Katie!
Oooh I'm getting very excited now, only a week and a bit to go!! Have got a mammoth weekend of printing to do, yay!

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