Jenny Pinto is a hugely talented designer operating from her studio in Bangalore, India. She makes paper by hand the old-fashioned way using agricultural and waste fibers from the banana tree, sisal, river grasses, and more. The papers have a rich textural quality. Wow. Oh, please let me touch…. Check out her inspired paper designs.

All art from jennypinto.com.

Unbleached banana fiber paper sandwiched with paper strips

Dyed shibori paper

The papers get turned into yummy stationery…

Filebox made from assorted fiber papers

Journal, banana fiber

… And gorgeous, gorgeous, lighting for home and studio.

"Oyster Mushroom," banana fibers

"Spider," banana fibers; handcut

"Dried Flower," banana fibers

Have mercy.

Then it gets better.

Jenny has a heart of gold. To source material, she contacted NGOs working with women in rural parts. She then taught key members of each group her paper-making techniques, and empowered them to be self-sustaining entrepreneurs who make and market paper products. Read about Jenny’s vision here.

If you’re ever in Bangalore, be sure to contact Jenny and visit her studio for more art and exquisiteness.

"Time Maps"

"Water Stories," hand stitched and sculpted book

Art from feltandwire.com

I was delighted to hear that Tom Biederbeck is editing Mohawk’s admirable Felt & Wire site, and the  newsfeed for the Academy of Art Univ (my alma mater). Tom, originally of STEP and the effervescent Dynamic Graphics Magazine, is one of the finest editors I’ve had the privilege to work with. I had written for many publications and books before I started my columns with his magazines, but it was different with Tom. I’d hand him my technically-sound writing (at least it was that) and it would emerge colorful and interesting. I’d gape at the edited draft. “I wrote this?”

And, I’ve also missed our long conversations about art and life…

Felt and Wire is eye candy  for designers interested in paper art and products. Really gets my creative juices going. I visit their shop often to drool over the “curated paper goods.”

We can now look forward to Tom’s curated musings too.