Green Paper Company

The Ring's the Thing

2012-01-17T17:41:00.007-05:00

Don't ya just love when you stumble upon a website that is right up your jewelery alley?! Well diamonds are a girls best friend right?

Just came across Bario-Neal, a small studio out of Phili that specializes in re-claimed metals, ethically soured stones and fluid designs that incorporate the best of contemporary and vintage style. Take a look...

With so many recent proposals over the holidays, perhaps you know a Little Miss Engaged and a Mr. Lucky shopping for that perfect bijoux???

And we love that so many of the ring designs are every day fabu. Take a few minutes and peruse their website- it's fascinating to read about Bario-Neal's sourcing and ethical practices. Two women creating super beautiful work. {don't know them, but wish we did}!

All photos via bario-neal.com

A Very Merry Welcome 2012

2012-01-01T00:01:00.001-05:00

Font: Too Sweet To Eat via myfonts.com

Have a {LED} Ball on New Year's Eve!

2011-12-30T20:29:00.006-05:00

It's hard to believe that another year has come and gone, and this will be our final post for 2011!

As we bid adieu to a very good year, we were so pleased to hear on the news this evening that the ball (ya know, THE ball) in Times Square will be illuminated for the first time with LED light bulbs.

We're all a glow with fun facts: ;)

Image via Royal Phillips Electronics

Extra extra! Read "all the news that's fit to print" about the Times Square jewel HERE

Ball images via forummedia.us

Wishing you all a beautiful, bright green New Year!!!

Re: Gifts... 10 Ways to Gift-Back

2011-12-06T20:03:00.003-05:00

Inhabitat Green Holiday Gift Guide

2011-11-27T10:35:00.009-05:00

Looking for the perfect gifts this holiday season? Overwhelmed with the possibilities? There are lots of gift guides floating around but this guide from Inhabitat is our current favorite- lots of contemporary gifts for the green minded gifter.

A few faves:

Repurposed winebottles morph into hydroponic planters

Recycled metal bobbies

Solar powered bamboo flash light from MoMA

Solar powered LED flashlight- for each one purchased, one is donated

Recycled felt iPad case from Nau

Perfect for the penny saver

Thanksgiving Greetings

2011-11-21T19:09:00.004-05:00

- Ever grateful for our customers -
We thank you for your support and commitment to offering sustainable stationery

Wishing you and yours a gracious holiday!

Stationery Trends Interactive Magazine

2011-11-07T06:00:00.000-05:00

We can't say enough about Stationery Trends magazine! Launched several years ago, Editor Sarah Schwartz has worked wonders in elevating the taste level and trend awareness for our industry.

Stationery Trends Interactive is their recently launched online issue and it's equally fab! Crammed with great industry insider sources - we're proud to be included in the current Late Fall edition in a DIY feature.

This section features Green Paper Company envelope liners which are a great, easy embellishment for cards, stationery and invitations... perfect timing to dress up your holiday mailings.

Last year, Stationery Trends featured Yours Truly, (that'd be me) in the Retailer Profile. Such an honor- which, brazenly, I have provided a link for you to read HERE! ;)

Thanks Stationery Trends for your continued support!!!

Green Paper Company @ Poeme

2011-11-01T21:05:00.004-04:00

It's always fun to see one of our favorite retailers evolve and on a recent trip to nearby Cincinnati, Poeme, has never looked better.

Sleek, modern, and fresh... with a slight nod to classic, we loved seeing our paper fixture amongst the carefully selected product offering.

Owners/Designers Phil and Kristin take poetic license and create some amazing invitations. We're honored to be a part of their selection!

Eco Friendly Rugs from Armadillo&Co.

2011-10-28T07:00:00.000-04:00

We're always on the lookout for home decor accessories that tread lightly on the earth. We recently came across this small rug company that makes a big impact... both aesthetically and, through the eco practices that guide it's business practices.

Armadillo&Co rugs are made by hand and produced to the highest ethical standards. Every piece embraces Fair Trade practices and is crafted from sustainable natural fibers - pure wool, jute, cotton and hemp. All purchases benefit local schools in the the villages where their weavers live and work.

Armadillo&Co. participates in ‘Care & Fair’ - an initiative against illegal child labor in the carpet production industry in India, Nepal and Pakistan. All of their rugs made in these countries carry the ‘KALEEN’ label. Issued by the Carpet Export Promotion Council of India, it guarantees that no child labor was not used in the making of the product.

If your floors need a pick me up and your current rugs have taken a beating- consider upgrading to one of these lovelies to soften your {carbon} footsteps!

Where to buy rugs here

Photos via Armadillo&Co. and modernrepresentation.com

Apple Pickings!

2011-10-21T07:31:00.000-04:00

Bushel and a Peck - Greenotes
100% post-consumer recycled paper printed with soy ink

Apples & Pears - Greenotes

100% post-consumer recycled paper printed with soy ink

$13 8 cards/envelopes -- Pick up a pack here

Cinderella Pumpkin Time

2011-10-16T19:55:00.005-04:00

With much work to get done on this beautiful Sunday, a day in the country turned in to a few mere minutes in the country- alas- the life of an entrepreneur! So a quick trip to one of Ohio's largest farms- Lynd Fruit Farm yielded a few Fall faves...

Don't you just love the natural textures and color shading on these!?

A Cinderella Pumpkin- really- that's what it's called ;)

And what would Autumn be without the proverbial adorable mini pumpkins!

Oh, and did I mention pumpkin doughnuts, apple cider doughnuts and apple fritters??? So much for the healthy eating, but hey, it's Autumn!

Anyone do anything Fall fabulous this weekend???

Clothing Made in the U.S.A. - Fall Picks

2011-10-10T07:00:00.003-04:00

I thought this blog post would be a snap... a few shout outs for a few Fall fashion picks from a growing crop of clothiers manufacturing in the USA. Boy was I wrong. Turns out- there really aren't many clothes manufactured in the U.S. and I had to do a bit of digging.

Most of the clothing I did find all have something in common- heritage branding- companies with a long history, a family saga, a devoted interested in the working man (or woman) and a dedication to quality.

The entire concept of heritage branding is really another post, which we'll feature later. It goes beyond a seasonal pick and deserves more in depth coverage. In the interim- if you have a favorite clothing company - or even just a favorite shirt, jean, etc. post a comment. We'd all love to fill our closets with more threads that boast the label: Made in the USA.

In the meantime, here are a few suggestions to warm up this Fall...

The Portland Collection new from Pendelton launching Fall 2011

Glen Plaid Alicia Jacket - Pendleton- Portland, Oregon. Shadow-weave glen plaid fabric is woven in Pendleton USA Northwest mills. $258

Perfect Tee from Blue Canoe - San Francisco, CA. Rayon from organically grown bamboo, organic cotton and spandex. $52.95

Stronghold River Rinse indigo wash jeans by The Stronghold - Venice, California {cool website, worth a visit}

Harness Leather Road Boots- top grain hide, waterproof scuba liner. $298 at Orvis, Sunderland, Vermont

Dehen 1920 Motorcycle Sweater by Dehen- Portland, Oregon $295 at Woodlands

Made in Michigan Graphic Tee by Carhartt - Irvine, Kentucky $20

Stripe Cardigan by Centralia Knitting Mills - Centralia, Washington. Wool sourced in New England. $180 at Archival Clothing

Canvas cotton tote from Archival Clothing - Portland, Oregon. Waxed cotton canvas/unwaxed cotton duck. $150

We Sad

2011-10-06T16:30:00.001-04:00

images via buzzmuseum.com

Cuban Art Posters

2011-10-05T07:00:00.000-04:00

I've been wanting to go to Cuba for a loooong time- it seems like the last frontier and perhaps, is the only remaining western city untouched by the modern world. Alas- it is not any easy place to gain access so when I came across Steven Heller's post about Cuban movie posters from the 60's and 70's - I was pretty jazzed!

I love the use of flat graphics in many of them- almost like paper cut outs. And the strong use of color is incredible and a bit surprising given the political climate under which they were created.

No surprise that two recurrent themes- guns and the imposing use of the color black are prominent in much of the imagery. Read more detailed information about technique and the history of Cuban art in posters of all genres at cubanposterart.blogspot.com.

First photo montage of 6 posters via designer Pam Bristow.
Other images, via Imprint and you can find a book link and an excellent article by Steven Heller about these posters HERE.

October = Breast Cancer Awareness Month

2011-10-01T07:00:00.003-04:00

We are all too, too aware of breast cancer- there are few of us who have not been touched by this heinous disease. Since 1985 October has been designated Breast Cancer Awareness Month dedicated to remembrance, hope, and to finding a cure.

The organizations dedicated to this cause are many and below are just a few of our personal crusades. Feel free to post a comment with the breast cancer non-profit that is near and dear to your, well, er... breast!

Breast Cancer Research Foundation {The only cancer organization to hold an A+ from the American Institute of Philanthropy}

Care2.com {A free, daily click to donate site that offers mammograms for women in need}

National Breast Cancer Coalition {Promotes activism to end breast cancer}

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center/Cancer Information {An informative site from the treatment giant. An A rated organization by the American Institute of Philanthropy}

Susan G. Komen for the Cure {The mother of all breast cancer organizations holds only a B+ rating but is the powerhouse for breast cancer awareness}

What's Next {Online cancer support groups through the American Cancer Society}

SHARE {Support hotline for women by women who are survivors.}

Fraud Alert: Breast Cancer Support Foundation and Breast Cancer Charities of America are known to be questionable organizations- take caution.

Ribbon by MesserWoland

L'Shana Tova!

2011-09-27T17:04:00.003-04:00

Illustration via Mona Lisa Art / monalisaart.com

Jackpine + Redwood = Timeless Holiday

2011-09-23T08:13:00.001-04:00

Need timeless options for holiday?? It's time to order!!!

Redwood and Jackpine are perfect for cards, invitations, all things holiday. Available in every size, including full sheets. Eco-perfect holiday essentials: Jack Pine is 100% PCW and Redwood is 30% PCW.

Stock up now for these two all time holiday classics - or find out where to purchase at one of our fine retailers.

29 Ways to Stay Creative

2011-09-19T07:00:00.000-04:00

via downtowndesign.tumblr.com (Source: thetaoofdana)

Feed Handbags

2011-09-12T07:00:00.001-04:00

Photo via stylelist.com

So glad to see that Feed Project's fab handbags received a shout out at Fashion Week!

These are great bags from a great company dedicated to feeding the hungry and donating to the needy- in our communities and across the globe.

From super practical [school meals + books] to uber fashionable [Judith Leiber] - cause fashion at it's finest. If you are not already familiar- jump over to their site and read more...

Photos via feedprojects.com

9.11.11

2011-09-09T22:30:00.003-04:00

In Memoriam

Photo via The Harrow Group

Hello Fall!

2011-09-01T06:00:00.001-04:00

Hello September!

Goodbye Summer!

2011-08-31T06:00:00.002-04:00

Goodbye Summer!

Video: by Bill Menke
The porch of Hotel Lenhart - Bemus Point, NY

Eco-Hotels in NYC: Element and Yotel

2011-08-25T19:00:00.001-04:00

As you may know- we attend a trade show now and then! I attend shows as both an exhibitor and/or as a buyer for my store, On Paper. Whenever we travel we try to seek out greener hotels and two new faves when we head to NYC are ELEMENT where we stayed last trip and YOTEL where we stayed last week while attending the New York International Gift Show.

We highly recommend ELEMENT - It's new, has many truly green features but during the NYIGF it was completely booked - which is a good thing and means more and more people are putting eco at the top of their reservation list! You can check out the hotel on their website here.

Element Hotel - photos via Elementtimessquare.com

Yotel is brand new. If you can get past the name and the somewhat Vegas/60's/motel-ie exterior- Yotel is a pretty great NY find. And super cheap if you can snag one of the NYIGF rates.

Before selecting the hotel, I read that if Steve Jobs were to design a hotel- this would be it. Say no more- good enough for me!

Check-in is on the street level and features self check in kiosks- super easy- and a robot for storing luggage. Fear not, there are real people too- who hand you your key and will happily handle your bags.

The rooms are super tiny (repeat after me- tiny!) But warned in advance I found much appreciation in the incredibly well designed multi-functional space. And compared with several hotels where I've stayed- this felt roomy in spite of it's pint size.

Photos via yotel.com

The most clever part of the room design is the bed that raises and reclines serving double duty as bed/sofa. It's a great concept and leaves you wondering why no one has done this sooner.

Also clever and true to green design, the hotel maximizes it's open space providing common areas that are vast both indoors and out. The hotel boasts a fabulous outdoor terrace and it's fantastic on a summer evening.

Overall- Yotel is a great eco sensitive hotel. It's not glitzy and definitely not a be-seen scene. And make no mistake- it's not "luxury" as they claim. But it's cool- innovative technology focused efficient design, low key and best of all - a short walk to Javits!

100% Post-Consumer Recycled Linen Paper

2011-08-15T06:00:00.001-04:00

Linen is fast becoming a best-seller! Launched in May- this is a great, all purpose 100% PCW paper with a linen finish. Pure white and chlorine free, this white is as green as can be.

Perfect for invitations... dress it up - a great classic texture

Dress it down - casual chic

Available in all of our standard sizes - card stock and envelopes

For wholesale inquires: sales@greenpapercompany.com
To find a retailer near you or to shop online- visit our website

Vacation!

2011-08-08T07:00:00.003-04:00

Green Paper Company will be closed

Monday, August 8 - Friday, August 12

See you next week!

It's {Eco} Cocktail Time: Cheers to Cachaça!

2011-08-04T20:00:00.003-04:00

Label designs by three artists: (left to right- Holly Wales, Milos Tchais, Jonathan Chadwick)

The Caipirinha - is the designated cocktail of Brazil! It has simple ingredients: Cachaça, limes, superfine sugar and crushed ice.

The primary ingredient is Cachaça, pronounced "KA SHA SA", the most popular distilled spirit in Brazil. Cachaça is often thought to be similar to rum, but rum is usually produced using molasses and Cachaça is produced using cane sugar juice.

Most of the Cachaça on the market is produced in Brazil. And we've found one that is organic and quite possibly has some of the best bottle graphics on tap anywhere. Abelha. Call us graphic-holics- but graphics reign!

What's special about Abelha? It's organic... no artificial chemical fertilizers or pesticides are used at any stage in the production. Also the fields of sugar cane aren’t burnt prior to harvest. This is common practice in the production of non-organic Cachaça and leads to major air pollution problems in sugar cane producing regions of Brazil.

Label illustration by Holly Wales

Abelha is distilled in "small batches", which means it is produced in a number of batches, instead of as a continuous process. This results in better control of the distillate. It is produced by smaller farms all around Brazil. The cachaça has more flavors, different scents like flowers, bananas, cut-grass, and is generally warmer on the tongue.

Label concept illustration by Jonathan Chadwick

The Caipirinha is the toast of the town this summer... so grab a "rocks" glass and chill with Brazilian flair and this week's eco coquetel -

Saude´!

The Caipirinha Recipe

Recipe and photo via irohner @ hubpages.com

Ingredients:

Cachaça*
Limes
Superfine sugar [organic if such a thing exists!]
Crushed ice
"Rocks" or "Old-Fashioned" glass
A pestle (from a mortar and pestle -- or something similar) for the muddling

Preparation:

1. Cut the ends off of the lime and discard.
2. Cut the lime in half lengthwise and cut out the white pith in the middle.
3. Cut the lime in half, and cut one half of the lime into four wedges and place in the glass. If your lime is small, you will need to add more lime to the glass.
4. Add one to three tablespoons of sugar. The amount of sugar depends on your personal taste as well as the size of the lime you are using.
5. Use the pestle to "muddle" the limes and sugar together. Basically, you want to crush the limes so that they mix in well with the sugar. Be careful not to break the skin of the lime. When you've gotten all of the juice out of the lime, you're done.
6. Pack crushed ice in the glass all the way to the top.
7. Add cachaça all the way to the top of the glass. (It's really only about 2 oz.)
8. Use a larger glass or bottom of a cocktail shaker and put it over the top of your drink. Shake very well for at least 15 seconds.
9. Garnish with a wedge of lime.
10. Drink...and enjoy the best Caipirinha!

* Note: The U.S. is the only country in the world which makes the Brazilians label their Cachaça as "Brazilian Rum"

Beat the Heat - Green Paper Company Solar & Caribbean

2011-07-27T07:00:00.000-04:00

It's like an oven outside! As temperatures rise - lay low. Grab a pen, write a letter and cool off with one of our hot new paper hues: SOLAR and CARIBBEAN...

Buy them on line: Creative Parties/Green Paper Studio, Flax Art and Design, On Paper, Soolip
Or find a retailer near you

It's {Eco} Cocktail Time - Basil Collins from Mouton

2011-07-22T07:00:00.005-04:00

Photo: Columbuscrave.com

I especially love "It's {Eco} Cocktail Time" when it's my time- and my cocktail! I had the distinct pleasure of enjoying the mixology at Columbus' MOUTON not once, but twice, this past week!

Photo: Mouton

Photo: Columbuscrave.com

How could a paper lover not luv this recipe wall!? The spartan interior collaged in with recycled finds makes Mouton a gem. Owner Yusef Riazi's meticulous attention to detail is perfection. The old time cocktails distinct. And the savories? Well, just plain yummy!

Photo: Mouton

Photo: Midwest Spirits

Creativity pours freely along with local OYO VODKA (pronounced O-WHY-O - as in native American for Ohio). Distilled locally - right here in Columbus by Midwest Spirits.

Photo: Mouton

While most of the sublime cocktails are probably not best suited for D.I.Y. mixing, Mouton's summer Basil Collins is one of the few you really can try at home. Head to the garden - pluck some Basil and enjoy this recipe our kind neighbors at Mouton have so graciously shared.

Cheers to a beautiful Summer weekend!

Basil Collins
Created by Sean Cathcart

RECIPE:

2oz. Hendricks Gin
1/2 oz. Lemon Juice
1/4 oz. Simple Syrup
3 fresh Basil leaves
1/2 inch slice of organic cucumber quartered

Muddle cucumber and basil in mixing glass. Add gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Stir and add ice. Serve in a Collins glass. Top with Fever Tree Club Soda. Garnish with organic cucumber.

A Little Bird Told Me

2011-07-18T07:00:00.003-04:00

A recent summer's day lounging on the porch yielded a sweet, all too brief visit from a fine, furry flying friend - a bluebird. Made me dash to Etsy to re-tweet some of my favorite aviary finds...

Cotton Bird Designs
{a personal fave... used for my wedding cake topper} ;)

Vintage Green Limited

Abigail Brown

Love Mae

NomMom

Green Tips: 7 Steps To Stay On The Green This Summer

2011-07-11T07:00:00.001-04:00

As July temperatures skyrocket in to the 90's - it's time for our annual green tips for summer...

1. Be a pest

Image via Golf Digest

Stay on course and urge your Country Club, County Pool, Condo Complex to educate, reconsider and revamp the pesticides they are using. Beyond Pesticides is a great resource.

At home, you'll have success with some of the tried and true:
+ A cup of beer attracts slugs.
+ Beetles are all washed up in cup of dish soap.
+ Basil and Citronella are natural mosquito repellents.
+ Peppermint Oil on cotton balls keep away pesky squirrels and critters.

2. The Big Event

Image created on esigns.com

Community events and fairs, church dinners and camps, fundraising events... all super popular during the summer... and all generate an incredible of amount of trash. Contact your local solid waste authority or recycling company who may provide recycling for your event, for free or as a sponsor. If they won't, then it's DIY: Set up cardboard boxes, mark them "RECYCLE" and appoint teams to haul to a recycling location at the end of the day. Make it fun and offer a prize to the team who collects the most.

For smaller events try portable recycling bins from Flings Bins.

3. Home Goods

Image via 123rf

Go back to basics:

+ Turn the Air Conditioning up when you are not at home. More A/C tips HERE.
+ Unplug small appliances and cable/DVR boxes when not in use.
+ Add a room or ceiling fan.
+ Draw blinds (we luv cellular blinds).
+ Update old in-window air conditioners to more efficient and less expensive models. Donate the old unit.

4. Wash & Dry

Image via Electrolux

Call your local electric company and find out seasonally what hours are considered OFF PEAK in your area (it varies). Do your laundry and run the dish washer during off peak hours. Saves a bundle of energy and a bundle of cash!

5. Take Out

Whether you are headed to work or heading out on a road trip- just say no to To Go containers and plastic cutlery. Be sure your car and office are stocked with:

+ A set of metal cutlery.
+ Ceramic or melamine plates.
+ Insulated cups. We can't say enough about Tervis Tumblers to keep drinks cold (we just wish we had a nickle for every time we sang their praises! ;)
+ POST-consumer recycled napkins and paper towels.

6. On the Go - Green Hotels

Image via mcallencvb.com

If you are planning a vacation find a green hotel. From LEED certified to simple green initiatives hotels have really stepped it up. A little research will yield a good night's sleep and keep you counting sheep in very green pastures!

7. Cocktails with a twist

Image via www.seductionmeals.com

Stay tuned for our bi-monthly Friday postings of "It's Cocktail Tim e" - cool summer recipes for eco-minded mixology. Cheers and Happy Summer!

Happy 4th!

2011-07-04T07:00:00.000-04:00

Photo by TomVu on Flickr via The Gothamist

It's {Eco} Cocktail Time: Cool as a Cucumber Cocktails

2011-07-01T07:00:00.002-04:00

Cheers to summer! It's time for the first in our summer series- "It's Cocktail Time"... Eco inspired cocktails from eco inspired mixologists...

Image via azspagirls.com

These two refreshing, cool as a cucumber cocktails feature Cucumber Vodka from Square One Organic Spirits ® - a super cool company serving up super smooth vodka all with a great mission (and great recipes)- Cheers!

"H"

This is a cocktail served at Quality Social in San Diego is named after Square One mixologist H. Joseph Ehrmann.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 oz. Square One Cucumber Vodka

3/4 oz. St. Germain Elderflower liqueur

3/4 oz. lime juice

1/4 oz. simple syrup

Soda water

Cucumber sliced lengthwise and sprinkle of pepper for garnish.

Recipe:

Lay a Collins glass on its side, slide cucumber slice along side of glass and then add ice to keep cucumber in place. Pour all ingredients, except soda, into a mixing glass and shake well. Strain into Collins glass filled with ice and cucumber slice. Top with soda water and sprinkle of black pepper.

French Tart

By Allison Evanow, Founder, Square One

Ingredients:

2 oz. Square One Cucumber Vodka

3 oz. ruby red grapefruit juice

1/2 oz. St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur

1/4 oz. organic agave nectar or simple syrup

Recipe:

Combine in a mixing tin with ice. Shake and strain into Collins glass filled with ice and cucumber wheels. Garnish with a grapefruit triangle on glass rim. If grapefruit is very tart cucumber wheel slices & grape fruit triangle for garnish.

Above recipes via Square One

... ... ...

Another popular, easy to find brand is EFFEN from spirit giant Beam Global. While not a small distillery- we're glad to see them pushing for more pure ingredients. EFFEN Cucumber Vodka is made using natural ingredients and premium spirits distilled from wheat. It offers a crisp, clean cucumber flavor without the use of sugar or artificial flavors. The vodka is made using a "continuous distillation" process in which the liquid is continuously circulated in giant stainless steel columns.

The name EFFEN means smooth, even and balanced in Dutch. It is made from 100% premium wheat and is made by bartenders for bartenders. EFFEN Vodka's bottle design features a non-slip sleeve that is carefully affixed to each bottle by hand.

Inspired by the essence of freshly harvested, vine ripened cucumbers, this new vodka offers a refreshing twist for your classic Bloody Mary. So if Brunch is on the menu this weekend, give this eye opener a shot! ;)

EFFEN® Cucumber Bloody Mary

Ingredients:

2 parts EFFEN® Cucumber Vodka
2 Basil Leaves, torn
4 parts Tomato Juice
¾ part Bloody Mary Seasoning

Recipe:

Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker over ice and shake. Pour into a serving glass with ice and garnish with a lime wheel and fresh basil leaf.

Recipe via Effen®

Mykea

2011-06-20T07:00:00.002-04:00

Got Ikea? We all have a Billy bookcase or Lack table hanging around.

There's no doubt about it- Ikea packs a bang for the buck! But let's face it- surface finishes are not their forte. Getting tired of white? Or black? Pay a visit to MYKEA, an ingenious site dedicated to the fine art of embellishing Ikea goods.

Elaborate vinyl transfers are size specific to key item Ikea pieces. Simply adhere and voila- a little art goes a looooong way.

While at first glance, this might not be the greenest of products (vinyl manufactured by Avery Dennison) - but we can make a serious argument that it prolongs the life of what is often referred to as "disposable" furniture. Not only that, it gives designers another platform to license their work and all around breathes new life into old product.

So before you put that bookcase out in a garage sale... Give your studio, bedroom, trade show booth, store fixtures, office, kitchen, living room a lift - your Ikea just got a bold burst of color!

All images via thisismykea.com

Happy Father's Day!

2011-06-19T07:00:00.000-04:00

Poster by EveryGuyed and Moxy Creative House via TheCuriousBrain.com

Fall Fashion on Ecouterre

2011-06-08T07:00:00.001-04:00

After discovering ECOUTERRE, a serious eco fashion site, we got caught up watching video after video of the new collections recently previewed in NY at the Designers & Agents Show, and, during Fashion Week.

We love that eco fashion is transcending to an atelier and couture level. The line is blurring and even designs that remain true to their indigenous ethnic roots are reaching new heights of sophistication.

From lady like silhouettes and detail to casual comfort designs are as diverse as the inspirations they draw from. Take a look...

From the Green Room at Designers & Agents

Lady-like granola glam- love the collar, which is detachable.

Easy organic comfort from Anja

100% Recycled bag from Ecoalf

Indigenous pattern handwoven bag by Wayuu Taya

On a high fashion note- Edun at Fall Fashion Week in NY
Bono and wife Ali Hewson continue to amaze...

And more couture: The Future of Fashion from The GreenShows

Fashion, by design, is controversial as it represents conspicuous consumption and waste. It's great to see more focus and legitimate balance- many of these pieces re-use and have implemented augmented sustainable practices. Young companies positioning themselves to generate fundamental changes in the fashion industry are gaining ground, focus and ultimately just may achieve a shift in what now still seems an oxymoron- sustainable fashion.

All images and video links via ECOUTERRE- if you're a fashionista and haven't visited this site- it's a must!!

Oh Happy Day Blog is Having a Contest

2011-06-06T09:11:00.004-04:00

Oh la la! Just announced: The oh so fabulous OH HAPPY DAY BLOG is having a great Paris Trip for 2 Giveaway on their blog - read the details there and Bon Chance!

Logo image via Oh Happy Day blog

USDA Cooks Up New Nutrtition Icon

2011-06-02T09:15:00.007-04:00

Farewell, food pyramid! The USDA revealed it's hot new icon that will dish out a quick bite of nutritional advice to the consumer.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture unveiled a replacement to the much-maligned food pyramid this morning, trashing the rainbow-striped triangle with a staircase edge to serve up a simple circle design that evokes a dinner plate. This good taste graphic is sure to be an improvement over the 1990's design debacle that was too complex for the average parent/teacher, let alone child/student. You can read more here, at the USDA website.

Here's hoping for happy meals that are healthier, greener, and tasty! Bon Apetit!

NSS Meetup on YouTube

2011-05-31T10:24:00.003-04:00

Check out this vid: YouTube - National Stationery Show 2011 Meetup

Sponsored by: The Knot, Felt & Wire, Mohawk, Green Paper Company, Kelly Guenther Studio, Mom Inc. Daily, Anthology, Wendelline Papers, The Curated Group, ...

Fun event at the very cool Brooklyn Winery- Thanks to Erika from Delphine Press for organizing and to all for including Green Paper Company!

National Stationery Show 2011

2011-05-16T07:07:00.002-04:00

The National Stationery Show has officially begun and it's off to a great start! The show floor is crowded, lots of new and tried and true vendors and an excited energy abounds- Ccear signs that the economy is recovering and that paper is not only trendy, but more than ever, a form of self expression!

Here's a glimpse of our booth at this years show- it's simple and less elaborate than in the past but oh so functional. We went from a 3 day set up to a 1 day set up! The booth has always been very eco-conscious in design but this year we are particularly proud that our "walls" are made of our 100% recycled packing paper. When we, (literally) tear down the booth- we'll bring the "walls" back with us and use them for shipping product. Who knows- your next order may contain a little piece of our booth!

We've had a great response to our new colors Solar Power and Caribbean (Row 3 on the photo above) and people are rockin' on Pebble, a great new textured 100% PCW white and also, lovin' linen.

If you are at the show be sure to stop by and say hello: BOOTH #2057

National Stationery Show

2011-05-14T17:41:00.002-04:00

We're in NYC- Prepped and ready for this year's National Stationery Show! We'll be featuring these new products and can't wait to see you there: BOOTH #2057

The office and shipping departments are closed until next Friday, but we're available by phone and e-mail throughout the show- (614) 633-797 / sales@greenpapercompany.com

If you're not attending the show, be sure to contact us for updated color swatches...

Colorful Papers. All Green.

Go Green Forever Stamps

2011-05-09T10:22:00.003-04:00

Here at Green Paper Company, we're lovin' the new Forever stamp by the US Postal Service!

Issued just in time for Earth Day 2011, the Go Green (Forever®) stamps illustrate that small steps—from fixing a leak to planting a tree—can have a big impact on our environment. Here's what else they say about their new stamp release:

"Big environment. Big issues. Little you. If you feel as if there's not much one person can do to make a positive impact on the environment—just take a look at these Go Green (Forever®) stamps. They illustrate simple things we each can do every day. With only a few small changes to the way we live.

Out of milk? Walk or bike to the store. Repair that drippy faucet—the noise was driving you crazy, anyway. Switch to energy-efficient light bulbs. Put on a sweater instead of turning up the thermostat. Sun dry your sheets—they'll smell wonderful!

Is it enough to make a difference? Absolutely. Recycling just one aluminum can reduces waste—and saves enough energy to run a computer for three hours. Multiply that by 10—or 200—cans. Simple insulation like caulking or weatherstripping pays for itself with reduced utility bills within one year. Properly inflating your car tires improves gas mileage by as much as three percent. You're not just saving the environment, you're saving—period. Suddenly small steps seem pretty big.

Best of all, once you've started thinking—and acting—green, you'll feel proud that you've been part of a big change. "Home" just got greener. Thanks to you.

Go Green, a pane of 16 stamps, is the Postal Service's social awareness issue for 2011. Award-winning animator, filmmaker, and illustrator Eli Noyes worked with Art Director Derry Noyes on his first stamp project, using a colorful, playful style to convey the message that every American can take simple actions to conserve energy and improve the environment. "

Another great way to save on excess- Forever stamps hold their value. These Forever stamps are always equal in value to the current First-Class Mail one-ounce rate. Less stamps=less waste. We especially love how they look with our envelopes- so next time it calls for snail mail- green stamps are the perfect accessory!

Earth Day 2011

2011-04-21T21:07:00.008-04:00

Earth Day Greetings!

Here are 8 of our fave sites that educate and celebrate the day:

National Geographic Earth Day 2011

Earth Day Events in Your Area

A Billion Acts of Green

Earth Day Network

Earth Day Network/Canopy Project

Times Square/Earth Day

Text to Plant Trees

Nature Conservancy's Carbon Footprint Calculator

To Dye For Easter Eggs, Naturally!

2011-04-08T21:54:00.010-04:00

Whomever said don't put all your eggs in one basket had obviously not seen this month's Country Living Magazine which featured truly amazing Easter eggs by Sonia Bauer.

To start off, these eggs are not your grandmother's Easter palette- soft neutrals add a seldom seen Easter elegance that are the perfect counterpoint to jellybean pastelles.

Best of all, these eggs are dyed with all natural vegetable dyes brewed up stove top in the kitchen.

The Country Living cover was inspired by a post last Easter by Sonia Bauer on her blog Big Sis Lil Sis - it has incredible how to's with great photos incorporating ferns and flowers turning them into templates and treasures.

With Easter just around the corner, hop on over to these sites and with a bit of prep work your Easter baskets will brim with handcrafted lovelies!

Be sure to read the articles here:

Sonia Bauer's Recipe for All-Natural Egg Dyes in Country Living

Sonia Bauer's article about her cover story

BIGSISLILSIS.COM 2010 ARTICLE {Detailed How To's and Recipes}

Photos: bigsislilsis.com
Country Living cover photo: countryliving.com

Cherry Blossoms

2011-04-03T21:10:00.003-04:00

Bill was in Washington last week shot these beautiful pix. It may be snowing one day and summery the next but somehow Mother Nature never let's us down. Right on schedule the cherry blossoms burst forth and reassure us that Spring really is just around the corner...

Photos: William Menke

Recycle your phone for a great cause

2011-03-31T11:06:00.004-04:00

Got cell phones? Old, dated, dead? No problem... Here's a chance to put recycling to good use...

Secure the Call is a non-profit organization that donates cell phones to the elderly and at risk population to use to call 911 in an emergency. Secure the Call is soliciting companies/businesses (retail storefronts are ideal) to host a drop box for one month- a nominal $60 donation is requested.

You can read more and sign up to host a donation drive here. If your not up for sponsoring a donation box, you can donate your old phones at most Whole Foods and Shoprite stores throughout the U.S. And if that's too far out of the way- you can download a mail-in donation form here.

Clean out your drawers, take advantage of your phone service upgrade plan and donate your old phones... Can you hear me now? ;)

SUPERMOON

2011-03-19T17:24:00.006-04:00

Along the lines of once in a blue moon...

Be sure to check out tonight's SUPERMOON-

It's been 18 years since we've seen such lunar craziness, or should we say - lunacy! A Supermoon occurs when the moon is 90% of its closest approach to Earth. For us, that means the moon appears 20% brighter and 15% larger than an ordinary full moon.

You can read more here, and if last night's moon was any example- it's a night not to be missed!

On my Birthday- who could ask for a better gift! ;)

Photos: William Menke

Horsing Around: Deborah Buterfiled

2011-03-13T18:36:00.008-04:00

Photo: Kelsey Givens / Ohio State Lantern

Went to the newly renovated Columbus Museum of Art today and had a quick spin through the galleries. Amongst the lovelies was an old time fave- Joseph - a (massive) horse sculpture by Deborah Butterfield.

Since the '80s Butterfield has collected scrap to create her iconic horses- which she creates at her ranch in Montana and her studio in Hawaii. Thought we'd share a few photos, including recent work to be highlighted at a show this June at the Greg Kucera Gallery in Seattle.

Photo via gregkucera.com

Here's what they say about her work:

"Many of the recent works are made of found metal; most of it bearing colored paint remnants from its original surface. The artist collects metal from wrecked cars, industrial salvage yards, demolished buildings and construction sites and combines them in her Montana studio to create these equine sculptures. Some of the works have utilized three-dimensional letters scavenged from commercial signage bringing an unexpected new element into play. Butterfield has also recently used painted metal from flat signage.

Photo via artnet.com

In constructing her horses Butterfield tries to alter the "as found" shape of the metal pieces as little as possible. The separate parts are not often individually important but gain an elegant context in the artist’s ability to meld them into such a suggestive sculpture. Occasionally, recognizable elements such as a child's tricycle can still be identified within the tangled assemblage of metal parts."

If you are in the Pac Northwest- don't miss this upcoming show of Deborah Butterfiled's recent work: June 2 - July 9, 2011 / Greg Kucera Gallery / 212 Third Avenue South / Seattle

Photos via gregkucera.com

Not Our Type

2011-02-27T17:07:00.009-05:00

Playing around today visiting all the kids on the blogs writing about Helvetica vs. Arial. Trying to make nice with that bully Arial and his oh so handsome predecessor Helvetica (who we can't even show you since it's not a Blogger typeface option!) ;)

A few fave sites that punch it out:

1. A Quiz

Really cute quiz from iliveonyourvisits.com. Luv her snark-ie text intro:

Once there was a typeface called Helvetica.
It was extremely popular.
Later came a software company called Microsoft.
They “borrowed” Helvetica for their operating system and called it Arial.
This inferior typeface is now on millions of desktops all over the world.
Can you tell the difference between the original and the rip-off in these ten examples?

TAKE THE QUIZ

2. Lessons to be learned:

From Pinterest, by ragb.ag via Sha Hwang

Penmanship guide highlights the ins and outs

#3. Knock down drag out

Fun animation by Mime Artist that says it all... play it here: mimeartist.com

4. Font and Lettering artist Mark Simonson has a great article on his blog that re-caps the history. And when you have had enough, move on to his own font design eye candy that knocks these bad boys out of the park.

At the risk of taking sides on this ever growing playground- we'll stick by our buddy Helvetica. Do we feel like a traitor every time we employee Arial into our work- you betcha! But a bloggers gotta do what a bloggers gotta do and our heart is true - We ♥ u H!

BHLDN- It's Here & It's Divine!

2011-02-14T08:58:00.007-05:00

It's here- it's amazing- it's everything you want a fresh wedding shopping site to be- and still more to come, to be sure!

Antrohopologie's BHLDN is here!

From finger tips to tippy toes- splendid lovelies abound... sure to provide much inspiration and wedding shopping bliss for brides to be and detail delights for industry insiders alike!

With confections like these, we're sure there is some green frosting to be found so we'll do a little more exploring and keep you posted.

If you haven't seen the site... Go there NOW!

All images via BHLDN

Happy Valentines Day!

2011-02-14T08:42:00.001-05:00

XxOo - Have a love-ly day!

Art image by B Designs

Rabbit Rabbit!

2011-02-03T19:03:00.003-05:00

Happy New Year of the Rabbit!

Photo and more about this auspicious character here...

Baldessari

2011-01-17T07:00:00.000-05:00

A bit of eye candy for those of us who missed the John Baldessari show that just closed at the Met in NY this past Sunday...

Watch Video

Images via googleimages

Amish Homage

2011-01-10T07:00:00.003-05:00

Just finished reading a book about the Amish and am inspired, particularly in light of the recent news from Arizona, by their peaceful ways and strong conviction to lead a simple "plain" life.

Central Ohio is home to the country's largest base of Amish and despite the pressures of commercialization- their communities thrive. Read more about the Amish here.

Their commitment to simplicity is ironic, considering our ever growing quest to lead a greener lifestyle. And the fact that SO much information and SO many photos are available on line is truly ironic as their very lifestyle represents the antithesis of both (and photography is forbidden).

Consider this an Amish homage- a gentle reminder of a gentle people from whom, we have much to learn.

Photos: amishcountry.com, walnutcreekohio.org and google images

Welcoming the New Year with Oprah

2011-01-03T09:27:00.007-05:00

Happy New Year to all!!! How did you spend your holiday week?? WE were BUSY! We moved to our new and improved warehouse, which went amazingly well! Thanks to Bill's organized planning - we finished ahead of schedule - thus affording us all a few days off.

So when New Year's Day rolled around- I rolled out of bed to enjoy the day at home, in my PJs, to usher in the new year relaxing. Those who know me, know I am a huge Oprah fan. I spent New Year's Day, not only welcoming the new year, but as a couch potato glued to the TV, welcoming the new Oprah Winfrey Network - OWN.

Despite that after several hours (yes really!), it began to run as one giant self promotional infomercial- I enthusiastically await the round the clock programming which promises to offer inspiration from wise people about wise subjects- most focused on the greater good and a spirit of sharing.

Join the Oprah fest and start the new year by taking this fun and surprisingly insightful quiz: Who Are You Meant to Be?

TAKE THE QUIZ

Happy 2011 - may you "live your best life" and may it be your best year yet!!

Images via Oprah.com

New Year's Resolution- ClimateCounts.org Shopping

2010-12-27T09:53:00.005-05:00

If you have some time this week... here's a great tool to start planning for the new year: Spend a few minutes on ClimateCounts.org and track some of the companies you support. You can see a breif report on the strides (or back steps) they've made in 2010 and what companies you feel you'd like to begin to support or continue to support in 2011.

Companies are graded on three levels- Stuck, Starting and Striding.

Stuck = channel your dollars elsewhere and send an email with the easy to use template provided telling them to claim corporate responsibility and start making strides.

Starting = the seed has been planted but still a long way to go before the flower blooms.

Striding = the best place to spend your hard earned dollars. Also a great place to email and let them know their efforts have been noticed.

Surprisingly, companies like Nike, General Electric and UPS scored high on the list, which you can search by rank for a quick reference. Equally surprising, Google and The Gap ranked in the low mid scores and Serta, Liz Claiborne and several companies that specialize in product for kids fell at the bottom of the list.

Be it resolved: Consume thoughtfully and carefully in 2011.

Happy Winter Solstice!

2010-12-21T09:21:00.003-05:00

Solstice + Eclipse = an early Christmas present!

Read more and see two videos here and bid a warm ;)
welcome to Winter!

Photo: AOLnews.com

Dear Santa, Eco Friendly Gift Ideas

2010-12-16T05:37:00.021-05:00

Looking for great eco-friendly gift ideas? There's still time to drop a hint to Santa with this wish list with a little something for every member of the family!

Charming Gifts- Trendy charms mix and match to create the perfect personalized gift. All the jewelry found on this site including diamonds, pearls and gemstones are ethically sourced, conflict free fine jewelry. From Brilliant Earth.

Organic chic- The fabric is 100% Certified Organic Cotton interlock in a beautiful tonal herringbone pattern that adds texture to to this pencil skirt. A perfect wardrobe staple from Jonano.

Ski & Snowboard Pant- Hitting the slopes this winter? The two-layer recycled polyester fabric was developed with ECOCIRCLE® technology, which weaves stretch fabric from post-consumer and post-industrial polyester waste. Closing the loop, at the end of its long life the Bender Pant can be recycled once again into polyester fibers for reuse. Bender pant from Nau.

In the bag- a perfect all purpose bag goes from commuter to computer, moms to market, dads to diapers! The shell and taffeta lining are all 100% recycled polyester. All buckles are made with recycled aluminum. Shoulder pad is recycled wool felt. Shoulder webbing is 100% recycled polyester. From Nau.

Baby Fine- Swedish inspired kidswear available online and in local shops from Hanna Andersson. A great selection of organic cotton and eco materials are used in many of their products.

K Studio Pillow- At Shelly and Mary Klein's studio in Grand Rapids, Michigan, each product is made by hand. They start with fabric made from some of the most sustainable materials available such as hemp, organic cotton, and recycled wool. K studio designs are generated in house and are then embroidered, assembled, packaged, and shipped by their skilled team. Purchase from Design Public.

Driftwood Candles- Made from found pieces of driftwood these candles have a rustic, organic style that complements any home decor. From Natures Cabinet.

Good Energy- Give a charitable micro donation specifically targeted toward energy projects within communities. For example: adding insulated thermal windows to a community center in Somerville, MA. A great gift, especially if you reside in the great state of Massachusetts (or can spell it!) ;) Donate here.

Penguin Home Soda Maker- Refreshing, convenient and eco-smart. Use your own water and The Penguin reusable glass bottles to create bubbly beverages. No resources or energy wasted on producing and disposing of bottles nor energy wasted on transporting and distributing the water from the source to you. From Twig Living in Chapel Hill, NC.

The Write Stuff- Eco conscious colored pencils from Faber Castell have an easy to hold ergonomic shape and are made from reforested wood, preserving natural forests. From Moolka, on Amazon.

Green Paper Studio- The online store of Creative Parties in Bethesda, MD stocks almost the entire line of Green Paper Company stationery and bulk papers. They can personalize notes cards and create magnificent invitations for upcoming parties you have on deck for 2011. Shop here.

Repurposed Slate Coasters- These coasters have graduated from the blackboards of an elementary school in Illinois are now working overtime as coasters. Reclaimed wine cork feet keep them in their place. Handmade in Wisconsin. Buy at Uncommon Goods.

Toto Too- Reduce your carbon pawprint and stay out of the dog house! These beds are covered with Hemp fabric made with azo-free dyes which are non-chemical, earth friendly dyes. The hypo-allergenic bed inserts are "green fiber" made of recycled post consumer plastic bottles and covers are 100% Hemp. From Harry Barker.

Practical Tips to Green Your Home for the Holidays

2010-12-03T07:00:00.001-05:00

Read our {practical tips to} Green Your Home for the Holidays posting HERE. If you don't already receive our occasional e-messages you can sign up there as well.

Special thanks to Monique and Keith Keegan for sharing their photo of their magnificent property- Summer Haven, (a winter wonderland as well) an amazing photo for this winter-y post! You can see more of Monique's interior design splendor at Enjoyco.net and on an earlier post of ours here.

Customer Profile: Karen Battles - B Designs

2010-12-01T06:00:00.002-05:00

We are always so honored when designers select Green Paper Company as a supplier. This season we are especially honored B Designs, a long time leader in the letterpress community, is using our Monarch envelopes for a new line of note cards.

When I opened my retail store On Paper, more than thirteen years ago, B Designs was a must have, go to studio for impeccably printed, clean vintage designs. It still is. Their thank you notes are still a proverbial best seller. Started in 1995, B Designs is a husband and wife team- Karen Battles and James Shanley. Karen was kind enough to share some thoughts on business and printing in an interview. Thanks Karen for your patronage, and your artistry!

{B Designs is one of the original letterpress printers that helped revive the craft, bringing letterpress to the forefront of design. How have you seen the market change, and how is it similar?}

The market change in a nutshell:
More letterpress studios, less stationery stores and the advent of email changing peoples writing behavior.

The longer answer:
At the time my husband James and I started B Designs in 1995 there were about a half a dozen companies producing letterpress printed greeting cards. There were other letterpress studios at that time, but most were focused on publishing limited edition books. It was funny because for the first several years we attended the Stationery Show, we had to explain what letterpress was and even produce sales materials geared towards educating store owners and our sales reps about the process. Then Martha Stewart started featuring letterpress printed wedding announcements in her magazine and we didn’t have to explain anymore--she really put letterpress back on the map.

I’d say many of us in the first wave of letterpress stationery companies were graphic designers starting second careers. When colleges and art schools started teaching letterpress in their graphic design and printmaking programs, a whole new generation of printers were born. Young printers have pushed letterpress into being the most design-driven segment of the stationery industry. Being able to design on a computer and then print the images letterpress, as B Designs has done for about dozen years, has revolutionized letterpress. There seem to be hundreds of small presses spread out over the country. It’s an exciting time for letterpress.

It is not a hard business to start, but it is a difficult one to stay in. The modern letterpress stationery company is a hybrid between the old “job shop”, doing custom projects of all kinds as they come in, and a greeting card publisher, producing paper products for a huge national marketplace. It’s an exciting way to make a living, but the necessity for a constant stream of new designs, turning jobs around quickly, dealing with both wholesale and retail customers and securing good supplier terms make it a challenging business to run. James over the years has developed ways to overcome the inherent inefficiencies of letterpress printing by creating unique press room procedures for production.

History shows us that the market has always had design cycles, swinging between flamboyant design and the simple and pure--from Baroque to Arts & Crafts. At B Designs, we made a very conscious decision early on to stick to our knitting, that is, remain true to my very simple design aesthetic, use high quality materials, keep all of our production in-house and offer excellent customer service.

{What's your favorite part of your work?}

I'd have to say digging through old books and ephemera to find new imagery. I'm always on the lookout. There is something about the thrill of the chase at flea markets like Brimfield, or at a paper show that really makes me love what I do. I started antiquing in high school so I’ve always loved the idea of hunting for a treasure. I collect great imagery and then when the time is right, I edit it and put in into a context that is meaningful to our customers. I really try to anticipate the needs of our customers. How do we make a beautiful, useful and meaningful product that someone buys because it reflects their interests and values? Nowadays when someone actually hand writes a message, the act itself shows a level of caring (email is so easy) so we try to provide an image that sets the stage for a personal message.

Another thing I really like about designing for B Designs is working with Katey in the pressroom. Ours is a collaborative effort in trying to get the design and printing just right. We have based our business on the notion that written notes bring more than news or appreciation, they provide an experience.

{Can you tell us a bit about the eco practices in your studio?}

We have always printed on recycled paper with a minimum of 30% post consumer waste content and recently we have also started offering a beautiful paper made of bamboo for our custom customers. We also recycle all of our paper and cardboard. Over the years we have given numerous tours to local school kids to show the closed loop of recycling in practice. Letterpress is very eco-friendly compared to other printing practices; very little ink is used, our printing plates are washed out with and the solvents that we use are very low VOC.

{What made you select Green Paper Company as a supplier for your prestigious product?}

I was really impressed with the wide range of colors and sizes the Green Paper Company offers. I visited the booth at the National Stationery Show the year the company first showed there. I'm always looking to create products that are a little different. The long and thin monarch size offered the opportunity to create a large graphic along the side of the paper and pair it with a colorful and unusual envelope. The combination has proven very popular with our customers and I plan on expanding the line. Using Green Paper Company products gets back to that issue of making sure our customer has a product that delivers a message of caring and taste. Using high quality recycled paper is definitely something our customer cares about.

{What is inspiring you for 2011?}

I am inspired by combining quotations and imagery. Words of wisdom are a comfort in tough times. Pattern continues to be of interest—if it’s an interesting image, what happens if you group a number of them into patterns? Also, I’ve collected a bunch of beautiful old penmanship and lettering books that I’d like to incorporate into the line. Where we live, Newburyport Massachusetts, is always an inspiration. It’s full of beautiful Federal architecture, surrounded by marshes and woods and an incredible beach. Letterpress itself is an inspiration—“how will this look pressed into the paper”?

Visit B Designs website to see more of their classic letterpress line.

E Waste

2010-11-29T07:01:00.000-05:00

In honor of Cyber Monday- thought we'd interject a bit of a reality check...

Think all of that email marketing is really great for the environment? Think again. As this powerful graphic (a collaboration from Good and Column Five Media) illustrates, global electronic waste is a mounting problem.

Each year in the U.S. alone we throw out 47.5 million computers and 100 million cell phones. Globally, electronic waste is mounting up to 40 million TONS per year, and much of that waste is cargo-ed to foreign countries for disposal.

Unfortunately- there's not an Ap for that- so next time you think you need the latest and greatest new model phone, pad, pod, puter- consider hanging on to that device for at least another 6 months. Less waste = yep, less waste!

Image/eco specs via Goodis.com

Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-25T06:00:00.001-05:00

A perfect time of year to take a moment to offer our humble thanks for your support, patronage, follows and friendship. We wish each of you a beautiful and gracious day.

With much gratitude,
Happy Thanksgiving!

Photo 1: Photograph by Kevsyd via Flickr
Photo 2: Google images

Eco Thanksgiving

2010-11-22T07:00:00.001-05:00

Planning Thanksgiving dinner? Anticipating a busy week? Here are a few good posts we've linked in to gather green for your Thanksgiving Day gathering:

Planning tips from Planet Green here, cooking tips from Living Maxwell here, Eco cookware from GreenPan here, heritage turkey tips from LocalHarvest here and fool proof turkey recipes from Martha here.

Wow! Happy planning!

Photo: MarthaStewart.com

Once in a Blue Moon

2010-11-21T06:00:00.000-05:00

21 November 2010

I thought a quick post about today's Blue Moon would be a short, sweet and simple matter. But, there's no fooling Mother Nature and it seems there are several illuminating definitions and the entire matter gets complex. Suffice it to say, you can read more HERE and HERE and know that, today, no matter what- is a bit special... Enjoy!

Compostable Leaf Bags

2010-11-15T07:14:00.005-05:00

Looking for a greener alternative to wrap up your Autumn cleanup? Check out these compostable lawn bags...

Dsolvbags are 100% compostable, hold 50% more than paper leaf bags and a portion of sales go to support local parks. A bit of an investment up front ($19.95) - but a great way to clean green (and orange and red and brown)!

For how to and info videos click here and to purchase, find a local location near you.

Green Paper Company in Midwest Living

2010-11-01T07:00:00.000-04:00

Proud of the company we keep! The new December issue of Midwest Living highlights local faves... including us!

Images by Midwest Living

Happy Halloween!!

2010-10-31T07:00:00.001-04:00

Happy Halloween!! Hope it's creepy, scary fun!

Paper cutout: Jenny Lee Fowler - Etsy

Coasting Along- cool drink coasters

2010-10-22T19:00:00.000-04:00

Looking for a coaster on which to set that shaken not stirred cocktail? Or cup o' joe? Or H2O? As Autumn chill sets in rest your hot toddy here (recipe below)...

iphone icons at Meninos $60. set/16

Vinylux LPs at Uncommongoods $17.50 set/6

Save the Date by Meadow Tea $20 set/4

Polaroids by Just Noey $10 each

Wood You by Meadow Tea $20 set/4

Bullseye $36. set/4

Get crafty: patterns here
(photo from Vivian Croche via bedifferentactnormal.com)

...

HOT TODDY ANYONE?

Ingredients:

1 oz brandy, whiskey or rum
1 Tbsp honey
1/4 lemon
1 cup hot water
1 tea bag

Preparation:

- Coat the bottom of a mug or an Irish coffee glass with honey.
- Add the liquor and the juice of the lemon quarter.
- On the side, heat water in a tea kettle and add the tea bag to make hot tea.
- Pour the steaming tea into the glass and stir.

Perrrtie sites

2010-10-16T13:19:00.007-04:00

Two favorite sites of late: Design Luv Fest and Rue Magazine. While not green in nature, they are full of fashion inspiration and eye candy delights so thought we'd share. If you don't already know them, check 'em out...

Autumn Leaves

2010-10-12T07:00:00.000-04:00

Wondering about all those autumn leaves that are beginning to change color and add incredible splendor to these gorgeous Fall days?

Identify common leaf species with these convenient identifier charts: here, here and here.

Photo: via Norbeck Kids

More Press Props

2010-10-05T07:00:00.000-04:00

The Fall issue of Stationery Trends really was the honey pot for media buzz! To top it all off... not only was a Green Paper Co. envelope on the cover (via the lovely 42 Pressed), but inside those pages lies an impressive 4 (count 'em!) page article spotlighting yours truly- moi- and my 13 year retail venture- On Paper.

A great big (HUGE) shout out and thank you to the amazing editor Sarah Schwartz for including such a beautifully written piece- I am truly flattered. To be in the company of Wanda Wen of Soolip fame (featured in the same issue) is an honor. Sarah has done an amazing job creating a industry publication that is so on trend and hits the mark every time.

In an over the top bragging rites indulgence- you can read the article below. It's no secret that we are all working extra hard these days and it is wonderful to be recognized in such a gracious way.

42 Pressed - Cover Girl!

2010-10-04T17:36:00.009-04:00

It's a pretty darn good day when one of your incredibly talented customers , 42 Pressed, makes the cover of Stationery Trends, the industry's finest trade rag!

And it's an even better day when the featured invitation features one of our envelopes! Yep- a sustainably stylish 100% post-consumer recycled Goldenseal A7 was dressed to the nines and looked incredibly lovely with Jackie Robinson's beautiful invitation ensemble. Very stunning indeed!

Old Crow

2010-09-30T07:00:00.001-04:00

Feeling a bit Fall and a bit crow-ish today. Seeking the perfect image, I Googled "CROW", only to discover- (much to my surprise, go figure!) all of the following:

And finally on good ol' Etsy- exactly what I was after... Thanx
Spencer Butte Ink!

Ah! The perfect reminder- how carefully we must choose/use our words!

Country Living Fair 2010-REcycled Roundup

2010-09-26T14:40:00.008-04:00

The Country Living Fair was all it promised to be: gi-normous crowds, a fantastic venue and despite a fair amount of country as usual, a lot of country creative. Plus, we were thrilled to see and uptrend and surprising amount of re-purposed product- you guessed it- country style. Below- a brief roundup of ther overall scene (sooo well done!) and a few stalls...

The Ohio Village is THE perfect place for this fair!

Below, Bloomsbury Loft recycles with a passionate finesse that is hard to beat... Chandeliers, fabric table clothes, pillows and all manner of re-purposed lovelies.

The Garden Patch from Smith's Grove Kentucky has become an annual highlight - their large booth features farm fresh and dried arrangements- locally grown and perfect to welcome Fall's splendor.

More fabric creativity- especially luv the vintage plaids

Platter pleasantries fabricated from glassware and plates

These gals from Kelly Lane hail from Ohio but have a bit of Texas kick- colorful cool clothing from a patchwork of fabrics.

One of several who blend bedspreads with draperies to create modern Scarlett O'Hara couture. A cool trend that began with baby and reached to upscale country luxe.

Here's hoping the Counrty Living Fair returns to Columbus in 2011 for another great run. You can watch a video here and if you missed it- check out the second round in Altanta in October!

Autumnal Equinox

2010-09-22T07:00:00.003-04:00

From Mabon to moon cakes to moonshine- mystery and myth surround the Autumnal Equinox. For me, it simply signals the end of summer and the passage of one beautiful season to another. Apples ripen, grapes weigh heavy on the vine and leaves begin to sparkle as the sun lowers itself in to the early Autumn sky. Tonight's moon welcomes another season and bids summer a wistful adieu.

To learn more about The Equinox than you ever thought possible link here and embrace a vast array of Traditions and Customs here.

Image 1 via Google images: Ernestine Grindal / Qwickstep.com /fineartamerica.com
Image 2 via Photobucket / Mysticalmoon_2006

Crafty Green Finds for Home Sweet Home

2010-09-16T07:00:00.000-04:00

The slightest Autumn chill rustles the air and thoughts immediately turn inward toward the home. Before you start to burrow, take a look at these crafty finds to squirrel away for those chilly days ahead.

This lawn sculpture from Going Green Art Designs easily moves inside to serve double duty.

Daylight savings... Message Board w/ Clock from Mary Kate McDevitt- how efficient!

Lucy Snow photograph- grab one of the fab low $ art pieces to adorn your space from Art Wall

Warm drinks? Cool cozies from Laura Bucci

4 seasons of recycled wood panel paintings by Dolan Geiman

At table: French tractor hoods from The Steel Fork

Maple Shade Kids coat hook - on fave site cosaverde.com

Vintage Needlepoint says it all!

Express Tolerance

2010-09-13T07:00:00.002-04:00

Saturday 9.11.10 was an important day. A time to reflect within and consider our own expressions of tolerance.

If you are the bumper sticker kind and inclined to put it out there, here are a few picks of the bumper crop available in abundance...

No Hate Circle

Coexist Bumper sticker

Vinyl Decal

Inclusion Works Sticker

Oval Sticker

Couple of Fish Bumper Sticker

Recycle Tolerance Button

And should the spirit move you to share some luv of your own, make your own bumper stickers here.

Renegade

2010-09-11T07:00:00.002-04:00

Good luck to all of our designer, printer, indie craftin' friends that are showing at the Chicago Renegade Craft Fair this weekend. Must confess that we are feeling a bit misty that we are no longer in Chi-town and close to the scene.

The weekend should be fantastic- so enjoy + craft your hearts out! We'll be sending prosperous creative stitches, I mean wishes, your way.

Typographer's Glossary

2010-09-10T07:00:00.000-04:00

New, from one of our fave type sites- Font Shop- is their TYPOGRAPHER'S GLOSSARY.

Check it out for every and everything you want to know about type anatomy and terminology. Perfect for all you type geeks out there! Aw c'mon- we KNOW you are out there!! ;)

New Moon/ New Year

2010-09-09T10:57:00.005-04:00

New Moon yesterday... Did you make a wish?

The September New Moon also signifies the start of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.

L' Shana Tova! May it be sweet and peaceful for all.

Learn more about phases of the moon here and Rosh Hashanah here.

September is Ovarian Cancer Month

2010-09-08T07:00:00.001-04:00

I tweeted yesterday with a link to support ovarian cancer research. I mentioned it this evening to a dear friend, who, I'm afraid, is all too well with the subject. As a ovarian cancer survivor she told me that September is Ovarian Cancer month and I think it well worth mentioning again---

Please visit this link and Seventh Generation will donate 1$ for each person who signs up. It's free to you, and Seventh Generation is a company Green Paper Company truly hearts. We applaud their generosity!

Learn more about ovarian cancer here. It is a blind disease, often with out symptoms, so we encourage all women to familiarize yourself with the basics.

Other September events in support of Ovarian Cancer research:

Alexandria/DC area: Rock, Paper, Cocktails
Atlanta: Overcome Ovarian Cancer 5K Walk
Georgetown/DC area: Georgetown Cupcakes (Mondays in Sept.)

Do you know of an event in your area? Please post a comment and let us know...

Compared with the slick, high profile Think Pink events planned for October and Breast Cancer awareness, we're surprised how little media play ovarian cancer receives. Let's make sure we align support against this incredibly devastating silent disease. Think Teal!

2010-09-07T08:26:00.003-04:00

Hope everyone had a great Labor Day weekend!

Ohio and Midwest kids have been back in school for what seems like weeks but to all you east coasters- happy first day of school! Growing up in New Jersey (yes, N.J.!) but now a Midwest transplant, I will never get used to the fact that summer vacation ends mid August. Labor Day, for me, will always mark the beginning of a new season, new beginnings and a new year.

Now it back to biz as usual and a busy Fall awaits. All best for an inspired season!

You Say Tomato, I Say Tomato - Heirloom Tomato Basics

2010-08-30T07:00:00.001-04:00

Now I'm no tomato aficionado, but I do know a savory marinara sauce when I smell one, or a summer fresh capresse salad when I taste one!

But what I don't know much about are the oh so popular heirloom tomatoes. So I did a bit of reading and thought I'd share the basics I learned...

An heirloom is generally considered to be a variety that has been passed down, through several generations of a family because of it's valued characteristics. Since 'heirloom' varieties have become popular in the past few years there have been liberties taken with the use of this term for commercial purposes.

*Tomato experts, Craig LeHoullier and Carolyn Male, have classified heirlooms into four categories:

Commercial Heirlooms: Open-pollinated varieties introduced before 1940, or tomato varieties more than 50 years in circulation.

Family Heirlooms: Seeds that have been passed down for several generations through a family.

Created Heirlooms: Crossing two known parents (either two heirlooms or an heirloom and a hybrid) and dehybridizing the resulting seeds for how ever many years/generations it takes to eliminate the undesirable characteristics and stabilize the desired characteristics, perhaps as many as 8 years or more.

Mystery Heirlooms: Varieties that are a product of natural cross-pollination of other heirloom varieties.

**Heirloom tomatoes are also divided into fruit size categories:

Heirloom Cherry Tomatoes – small bite-sized or salad sized tomatoes.
Heirloom Paste Tomatoes – meaty flesh with fewer seeds.
Heirloom Slicing Tomatoes – large, round tomatoes also called “beefsteak” tomatoes.
Heirloom Shaped Tomatoes – odd-shaped tomatoes that don’t fit into typical categories.

**And, heirloom tomato color categories:

Red Heirloom Tomatoes – The well-known and popular color for tomatoes.
Orange and Yellow Heirloom Tomatoes – Lower in acid than typical red tomatoes, these heirlooms would be a great choice for anyone suffering from ulcers.
Pink or Purple Heirloom Tomatoes – Second lowest acid content they are similar in flavor to the red tomatoes.
Green Heirloom Tomatoes – Unusual tomatoes that remain green tinted even when fully ripe.
White Heirloom Tomatoes – Often sweeter than others, these are white or near white tomatoes.
Striped Heirloom Tomatoes – Some of the most unusual tomatoes of all these can be red and yellow; green and orange or anything in between.

So that's the basics- now it's on to growing... a whole other subject! For growing basics can be found here. Lots of work to be sure but with names like Turkey Chomp, Wayahead, Bloody Butcher and Kellogg's Breakfast they've gotta be great!

Sources: *Tomatofest.com, avalon-acres.com, ***teenaspride.com, heirloomseeds.com, **plantsbulbs.suite101.com

It's Cocktail Time

2010-08-27T07:00:00.001-04:00

This Friday our summer "Cocktail Time" spotlights a very cool venue in LA- Little Green Cocktail.

Launched just about a year ago this grouped is organized by Heather Knight, Pedram Sameni and Liya Brook. Here's their "story":

...

Small changes for a big impact

Little Green is a bi-monthly sustainability-themed cocktail party in downtown LA.

We explore gentle revolutions, knowledge and reflections. There are creative cocktails, inspirational talks and elegant guests galore!

Our focus is hot green topics and ideas relevant to Southern California. We aim to entertain and connect both the experts and the curious!"

...

Pretty simple right? And sounds super fun- wish we lived in LA!! This could be a great green social startup idea for your town, let us know if you have a similar gig. Or, if you are inspired and starting one. Cheers gals- have a cocktail for us!

.All images via littlegreencocktail.com

Summer Vaca Faves- what's yours???

2010-08-25T07:00:00.001-04:00

Photo via Huffington Post

Well, we can't all be the Obamas and be whisked off to Martha's Vineyard! But we all can take a breather and hope for a bit of R&R. Monday I posted about my favorite vacation spot and I'd love to hear about yours...

Photo by Heather Goff via mvol.com

What's your favorite summer vacation destination?
Tell us the top 3 things you like best...

What I Did on My Summer Vacation: Chautauqua

2010-08-23T07:00:00.000-04:00

I just returned from a lovely week of summer vacation at one of my very favorite places on the planet- Chautauqua. If you have never heard of Chautauqua, it is a must know! I am one of the fortunate few to have a cottage nearby and to steal a week away during the summer is not only a pleasure, but a privilege.

Chautauqua Institution is located in the far reaches of southwestern New York state- nestled between Erie and Buffalo. The Institution, originally the Chautauqua Lake Sunday School Assembly, was founded in 1874 as an educational experiment in vacation learning for Sunday school teachers.

The two founders, Lewis Miller and John Vincent, were Methodists, and Chautauqua is unquestionable faith based. However, from early on other Protestant denominations participated, and today Chautauqua embraces multiculturalism as the direction toward achieving world peace. Chautauqua's Department of Religion presents distinguished religious leaders of all faiths from this country and abroad, as preachers, teachers and speakers.

By 1880 the Chautauqua platform had established itself as a national forum for open discussion of public issues, international relations, literature and science. It is famous for it's lecture program where past speakers have included Franklin D. Roosevelt, Ulysses S. Grant, supreme court justices, actors, artists, scientists, educators and the list goes on. Approximately 100 lecturers appear at Chautauqua during a season. It was here that I heard Al Gore deliver his presentation "An Inconvenient Truth" which served as my own inspirational ah ha moment that launched the concept for Green Paper Company.

Many of my most cherished moments have been at Chautauqua. My father, a violinist, played in the orchestra for over forty years and as a child that summered here I was given extraordinary freedom and growth opportunities available in very few places. As a teen I worked in the theater department, a summer job that greatly influenced my career path for years to come. As an adult I return, not only in summer, to seek refuge from the busy, hectic day to day life I have come to lead.

Chautauquans are stewards of a national treasure. It is designated both a National Historic District and a National Historic Landmark. In keeping with 21st century ethics- a focus on a green, eco-conscious lifestyle has emerged. Chautauqua is committed to practicing responsible environmental stewardship and sustainability. I was pleased to see this growing list of current stewardship practices as listed on their website:

-Recycling
-Composting
-Tree management and planting
-Planting of lakefront buffer zone vegetation
-Use of phosphate-free dishwasher and laundry detergent to conserve the lake's ecosystem
-Lawn and grounds fertilizer reduction to reduce seaweed overgrowth
-Commitment to storm water management in new construction, renovations, road construction
-Use of re-cycled water (effluent) for irrigation at the golf course
-Energy efficiency audit, and upgrades to Chautauqua Institution facilities including increased use of energy-efficient lighting
-Purchase of electric trams, bio-diesel buses
-Green Design standards and rewards
-Wildlife habitat preservation
-Substitution of e-publications for paper
-Use of recycled and recyclable products

This past week I decided to lay low, relax and participate only on the fringe. This meant: attending 2 symphony performances, 2 lectures about developing alternative energy sources- "Powering the Future", a Department of Religion lecture by the incredibly inspiring Karen Armstrong, a film starring Tilda Swinton- "I am Love", and, a trifle, ditty of a play called Macbeth. ;) I sat out listening to Salman Rushdie speak... opting for a nap instead!

So you get the idea- even "relaxing" is packed full of endless options! I often describe Chautauqua as Club Med for intellectuals and artists and it is an amazing oasis for the talented and curious. It draws people of all ages and is a perfect spot for young families, teens, and it is a mecca for seniors as well. Needless to say, I am a bit partial! But if you are looking for an idyllic place to recharge and regroup this may just be the ticket.

To read more- visit the official Chautauqua website and plan a trip for next summer!

All photos via: ciweb.org and The Chautauqua Daily

Gone Fishing!

2010-08-13T20:15:00.004-04:00

Green Paper Company will be closed for vacation
August 16 - August 20. We're all looking forward to some much need R&R and we will re-open Monday, August 23. Have a great week!!

Photo via: http://www.cpaphilblog.com

Green School Supplies- ReBINDER

2010-08-10T08:01:00.011-04:00

Looking for greener school supplies as the kids go back to school? Or a brighter shade of green to organize your office? Let us introduce you to one of our favorite companies- RE-BINDER. We've used their product for several years now for all of our internal office supplies and it's the company we used to create all of our sales rep kits and press kits.

ReBinder is the only true zero waste office supply manufacturer. A privately owned business in Seattle, Washington, their philosophy offers a balanced approach to providing exceptional office supply basics that reduce their, and your, environmental footprint. Their products are 100% recycled... and contain 85% post-consumer waste and 15% post-industrial waste.

Making products responsibly means considering the source of the materials, the use of the products and where they end up at the end of their life. When used for events and training or simply every day internal use, their products raise both brand and environmental awareness while helping responsible organizations reduce solid waste and lower their carbon footprint.

Assembled by a local, AbilityOne certified disabled workforce, all ReBinder product materials are sourced from responsibly managed forests and verified FSC and SFI certified sources. With each purchase of ReBinder products, solid waste, greenhouse gas, energy, tree and water consumption are reduced. Product line includes everything from 3 ring binders, page dividers, labels, CD cases and pocket folders.

ReBinder products have recently been nominated for the Best Office Products in North America. Retailers take note: ReBINDER also offers their product on a wholesale basis. Learn more about their product and how they stack up against traditional vinyl binders here.

Friday Cocktail TIme... Lovely Lillet

2010-08-06T07:38:00.005-04:00

By far, my favorite cocktail this summer is the ever popular, lovely Lillet. I favor it in a vintage champagne glass, on ice with a slice of orange. Just a perfect way to welcome in a summer weekend evening, or any summer evening as it seems!!

For purposes of this blog, I thought I would have to look long and hard for the eco merits of this aperitif, but, as it turns out, I did not have to look far. Lillet made it's debut in 1872- by the Lillet brothers- French distillers. Lillet uses only the finest ingredients and is a blend of carefully selected wines combined with herbs and fruit. Made in the Bordeaux region much the same way as it always has been, Lillet is made from a secret recipe passed down through generations.

It really is the perfect French aperitif. Intended to be consumed at the start of a meal, with light fare- it gained it's 15 minutes of fame by none other than James Bond in Casino Royal.

The label graphics are alone well worth the price of the bottle. They have a long history and have graced french metro stations and prominent locations with ad campaigns for decades. It's a good time to start to collecting them and drink hearty- Lillet is getting hard to come by with state alcohol quotas limiting it's distribution. Below- a few fave recipes and find/read more about the rich history here. Cheers!

Lillet Royale
One mint leaf
3 drops Angustora bitters
Lillet Blanc
Ice cube
Slice of lime

Lillet Kiss
Equal quantities of Lillet Blanc and Lillet Rouge
Drop of crème de cassis
Schweppes or Perrier
Slice of Orange

Flower font

2010-08-03T07:00:00.001-04:00

Check out this new font! Designer Mykl Roventine walks you through the steps of designing this summer fab font - Read more here...

Blackberry Call

2010-07-29T07:00:00.000-04:00

Have been wild for blackberries lately. No, not the PDA variety... the luscious, finger staining, yummy, summery, pick a pint kind. Such a great summer treat! From local markets to super markets they are a plenty and at prices as low as $1 a container, no brainer!

Anyone have a great Blackberry recipe??? This one sounds berryliscious!

Blackberry Cobbler

Ingredients:

8 cups of fresh blackberries
2 1/4 cups of sugar
1/3 cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon of lemon juice
Pastry, home made or store bought
1/4 cup of butter [optional]
1/8 cup of sugar [optional]

Procedure:
Stir together the first 4 ingredients: let the mixture stand 10 minutes or until sugar dissolves.

Roll out half the pastry into a square 1/4 inch thick; cut into 1 ½ inch strips and place on lightly greased baking sheet.

Bake the strips for 10 minutes at 425 degrees until lightly browned. Remove to wire rack to cool. Break strips into pieces.

Spoon half of the blackberry mixture into lightly greased 13x9 inch baking dish; top with pastry pieces. Spoon remaining blackberry mixture over pastry. Dot with butter or margarine (optional).

Roll remaining pastry into a square and cut into strips about 1 inch wide and 1/4 inch thick. Optional, paint very lightly with milk and sprinkle sugar [just enough so sugar sticks] and arrange in lattice design over filling.

Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes until golden brown. Serve with vanilla ice cream and /or blackberry syrup.

Recipe: Thehappyberry.com
Photo: virginmedia.com

Read the printed word.org

2010-07-26T08:27:00.007-04:00

Think beyond the blog!! A great set of widgets for bloggers and/or web sites, a special icon for all you paper lovers out there.

ReadthePrintedWord.org is putting in the good word for keeping printed matter alive and well. You can download these vintage chic icons and post them as widgets to you own website or blog. There are ten different options to select from... such a great idea! (As long as that paper you are reading is recycled!) ;)

Their mission:

"We support the printed word in all its forms: newspapers, magazines, and of course books. We think reading on computers or phones or whatever is fine, but it cannot replace the experience of reading words printed on paper. We pledge to continue reading the printed word in the digital era and beyond."