It’s nearly impossible to walk past a Paper Source store without stopping to admire the creative and colorful window displays. If you are like me, you may have simply assumed that the items in the windows – whether giant paper dolls or bigger-than-life pastel paper magnolias – are mass-produced by machinery. But I learned on my very first day as a Paper Source intern that every single item in a Paper Source window is made by hand.

One of my first projects this summer was to help make multicolored whirls from envelopes that are now displayed in the windows of our new stores in Corte Madera, California and Houston, Texas. We made these sunburst shapes in our new PS colors: persimmon, peacock, sunshine, and paper bag; using four different envelope sizes. I worked along side Maria and Estela, two of the master crafters here, who work every day to make the beautiful items you see in our windows, as well as the samples in our stores.

Lauren's Envelope Whirls

Often, our window displays are inspired by Paper Source kits sold in our stores, and are so well liked that customers have even asked to buy the display items to use as decorations in their homes or children’s bedrooms!

Now after having been at Paper Source for close to six weeks, this dedication to maintaining authentic artisanship doesn’t surprise me. Paper Source goes the extra step to preserve the unique character that making crafts by hand produces. The thought and care that goes into every project here is truly outstanding.

–Lauren
PS colors: curry & paper bag

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5 Responses

  1. Felicity says:

    Aw, I saw the photo and was hoping for a tutorial. ; )

  2. Josh says:

    Wow, that’s so impressive… everything made by hand! It’s almost hard to believe. And it really sounds like such a great internship, so many fun, behind-the-scenes experiences and opportunities. Thanks for sharing all of what your learning and accomplishing!

  3. Renee Nordholm says:

    Aw.. You guys are great, this is a crafters dream job!

  4. Koru Kate says:

    what a dream internship!!

  5. Norma says:

    I’m shocked all of the window displays are hand-made! It makes me appreciate the display so much more, and every time I pass by it, it will be fun to challenge the misconception friends and family hold that the crafts were produced by machinery.

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