These handmade papers from Brazil are made using unique materials that impart a different look and feel. Not only do they use materials indigenous to the area, but they recycle fibers that otherwise would be considered waste products.
Garlic and onion peel lend a delicate translucency and sheen to the papers and make use of common household waste. On a grander scale, the tough banana fibers not only create a strong, durable sheet, but help to maintain ecological stability of the forest floor where those fibers, in over abundance because of the ever growing banana industry, are usually left to decay - choking out tender undergrowth that the forest and forest animals depend upon.
All papers are neutral pH with 4 deckles.
Banana Orange
Banana Mustard
BANANA - handmade of 100% recycled banana fiber. Crisp sheet with a mottled appearance; 4 deckles; neutral pH.
Colors:
Black
Red
Bleached
Natural
Tan
Brown
Purple
Light Blue
Dark Green
Light Green
Mustard
Orange
All colors
Gsm
19½" x 27½"
80
$10.00
Banana Orange
Banana Brown
Banana Natural
Banana Black
Banana Light Blue
Banana Dark Green
Banana Light Green
Banana Mustard
Banana Red
Banana Purple
Banana Tan
Acrylic by Lil Mena
COSTA RICA
These unusual and beautiful handmade papers utilize waste materials from the farming industry in Costa Rica. The government encourages the use of these materials because without the recycling of these overly abundant, natural wastes, the ecological balance of the forests and the animals that depend on them are threatened. When we refer to the banana fiber, we are talking about the fiber found inside the pith of the banana stalk, which behaves like most bast fibers: strong, shiny, and inherently acid free. All papers have 4 deckles and are neutral pH.
The photo to the right is an acrylic by Lil Mena, the papermaker, on Matambú.
BAMBU -- a mixture of natural banana fibers with green bamboo leaves embedded into the sheet. Smooth one side
15" x 19"
200 gsm
$8.70/sh
BANANO Y BROSAS DE CAFE* limited quantities available - light natural banana fibers encrusted with tan coffee bean shells. Extremely rough surface
15" x 19"
200 gsm
$8.70/sh
GRANADA - even, light natural banana with swirls of visible fibers. Smooth one side encrusted with tan coffee bean shells. Extremely rough surface
15" x 19"
200 gsm
$8.70/sh
GUAYMI - not a true paper, but rather classified as a bark. Guaymi is made by pounding the pith of the banana into strips which then naturally adhere to each other. Dark brown.
15" x 19"
300 gsm
$8.70/sh
Bambu
Brosas de Café
Granada
Guaymi Bark
LIRIO OSCURO - made from a mixture of water lilies, and recycled cartons;; with visible large flecks of brown bark. (Lirio means water lily)
15" x 19"
200 gsm
$8.70/sh
LOS ANGELES - made from a mixture of water lilies, banana pith fiber and recycled paper.
15" x 19"
200 gsm
$8.70/sh
MARMOLEADO - made from a mixture of water lilies, banana pith fiber and recycled colored papers. Mottled grey tonality.
15" x 19"
200 gsm
$8.70/sh
Lirio Oscuro
Los Angeles
Marmoleado
Matambú Bark
Mezcla Oscura
Paz
MEZCLA OSCURA - made from a mixture of banana pith fiber and recycled cartons. Visible flecks of black bark.
15" x 19"
200 gsm
$8.70/sh
PAZ - made from a mixture of and recycled newspaper and banana pith fiber.
