San Francisco Cottages and Gardens Magazine
Rhiannon Alpers
4 Bay Area Paper Makers Championing the Art of Correspondence
By Christina Ohly Evans | Photograph by Suzi Mcfig
The texture of handmade paper, the loops and bowls of a friend’s distinctive handwriting, the appreciation of the time and care taken in sending: These are just a few of the great pleasures of receiving a physical note. However, as the letter—and even the blithe summer postcard—has long been superseded by the Facebook post, it has become even more meaningful to receive a thoughtful, handwritten missive or invitation. Fortunately, a coterie of Bay Area artisans is carrying on the civilized tradition of the fine stationer. Embellishing sumptuous stock with letterpress, engraved imagery and hand gilding, San Francisco papermakers bring together age-old processes with innovative techniques. Following are four Bay Area ateliers championing the art of correspondence.