HANDMADE PAPERS FROM NEPAL

These beautiful papers are hand made from "Lokta.” Lokta is interesting as it grows in abundance at altitudes over 6500 feet in the Himalayas. The papers we sell are handcrafted from the bark of the lokta plant. The village co-operatives and local farmers in Nepal collect the lokta bark from the community forest. To make paper the bark is cleaned, trimmed, and beaten with a wooden hammer. The fibers are then placed into a metal drum. Water and ash are added to to the fibers which are then boiled into a pulp. This pulp is poured into wooden frames and dried in the sun light. This drying process gives the paper a natural cream coloration. The paper is then ready to be colored, many colors from vegetable dyes, and then are hand-blocked or screen printed to create the beautiful designs offered in our stores. The papers are handmade by village co-operatives and small cottage industry in Nepal that employ mostly women and also promote women co-operatives. The raw lokta and natural papers are purchased from co-operatives who are engaged in cultivation and reforestation of the lokta plant in the forest. By removing only the bark from the plant, new growth is promoted which is beneficial to the plant. Like other plants, lokta naturally re-grows after peeling off its bark within 4 years. The controlled harvest and reforestation of lokta makes this paper a wonderful and eco-friendly, truly sustainable natural product.

These beautiful works of art can be used for collage projects, art matting, drawer liners, lamp shades, scrap booking, wrapping paper, cards, table runners, and many other craft projects. Be creative and be inspired!