My Love Affair with Paper
Sunday, May 2, 2010 at 9:40AM 
There is something that I need to get off my chest. I have a love affair with paper. (But shhh! Don't tell my boyfriend!)
I am sure you have all been aware of the "signs." Missing money from my paycheck, tons of unopened packs of paper I picked up on my travels due to the "cool design" factor, and tons of paper how-to books that I have barely cracked open. I like to use my paper in creative projects but another part of me simply wants to hoard all of the pretty designs and interesting textures all to myself! So the other day when I was standing in line at the store with a shopping basket full of the stuff, I had to stop myself and ask: When did this crazy love affair start?
I have been folding origami since the second grade, but I really do not think my "affair" started then. My six year-old self was quite content using white printer paper and cutting them down to size for paper cranes and origami fortune tellers (despite the fact that it dried my hands out!) Although I have always loved "origami," I was more concerned with the "ori" 折り or folding than I was with the "gami" 紙 or paper. So when our relationship change into something more serious?
I did some soul searching and I think I have found the answer. When I was in elementary school, I found a penpal in Australia. It was a partnership that was organized by my local library who tried to pair us up with other children around the globe. My partner's name was Hailey and I wish I had kept in touch. After a few years, our teenage selves got busier and busier and we had less time for letter writing. But during this whole penpal process, I started to amass *A LOT* of stationary. Everywhere I went, I would pick up interesting papers for my penpals. A lot of it made the international trip, but there were some sheets of paper that were so beautiful that I could not find the heart to part with it. If I return to my old bedroom in my parent's house, I am sure that I will find a little tub full of my prized paper possessions.
My collection grew bigger and expanded to include stickers and envelopes. When I went to college, my paper went with me where I corresponded with family and friends the "snail mail" route. I figured that if I mailed out letters, then people would send me some in return which would give me small surprises to look forward to in my mailbox! I continued to write to people and collect paper when I lived in Japan and I had a sufficient stash when I had finally retuned to the U.S.
Nowadays, my paper is organized into little plastic units based on type and color. When I opened my shop, I started to "keep stock" so I could recreate particular dolls and patterns. I am amazed that this love affair with paper all started with a single letter to another little girl across the globe! I wonder if she remembers me and has a fondness for paper in the same way I do?
What is your "love affair"?
Reader Comments (5)
I love paper. I have never made orgami but always find them so beautiful! Joining you from SITS sharefest!
My love affair with paper started just last March 2009.. I was (and still is) out of school, and I do self study right now most of the time. This left me with a need to do something that didn't require a lot of money but entertained me. I stumbled onto youtube videos of origami, and the rest is history. ^_^
My mom LOVES paper, too. She makes handmade cards and has sold them in little boutiques and shops. I understand...there are so many gorgeous papers out there!
~melody~
I love this post. I can just imagine your stacks of paper. I don't know what my "love affair" is with. I'm not much for collecting things I don't/won't use.
Hmmm... that is some sort of weird love affair. hehe I've heard of extreme ones but this goes over the edge. But come on, who can't love paper??!