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Tag: paper
Comic Relief 2023 – Paper Red Nose Revolution
This year’s latest paper invention is taking the nation by storm. The new red noses have been revealed with the aim of helping to fundraise for this year’s Red Nose Day. Comic Relief turned to a paper-based solution in 2023 designed by Sir Jony Ive at LoveFrom, a design guru who worked for Apple for...Read More
Library Initiatives Around The World
Have you ever spotted a little swap and shop library on a walk? From mobile libraries to books hidden in giant mushrooms, we’ve found some great reading initiatives from around the world. The Mobile Library, Stockholm Since 2016, the mobile library in Stockholm City has been popping up all over the city to meet people...Read More
Where Would We Be Without Paper?
We might live in the digital age, but there can be little doubt that paper is still one of the most important materials in the world. For most of us, it will be something we touch, see or use multiple times a day, probably without giving it a second thought. Paper is understated and versatile,...Read More
5 Creative Ways To Use Paper This Valentine’s Day
How do you usually celebrate Valentine’s Day? Whether it is a movie night, a party with friends or a romantic evening spent with your significant other, we have 5 paper-based crafts that you can use to impress this Valentine’s Day. Make Your Own Valentine’s Day Card February 14th is always a special day where you...Read More
6 Surprising Benefits Of Jigsaw Puzzles
Puzzles aren’t just a hobby or a good way to pass time and relax, they also have many health benefits. Here are 6 surprising advantages of jigsaws and instructions for how to make your own puzzle! 1. Mental Stimulation Putting the pieces of a puzzle together is a complete brain exercise that uses both sides...Read More
Living History: Frogmore Paper Mill
Frogmore Paper Mill, near Hemel Hempstead in Hertfordshire, is the world’s oldest mechanised paper mill. The mill, which still produces paper, is now operated by the Apsley Paper Trail, a charitable trust “founded to conserve the unique industrial heritage of this site in Hemel Hempstead”.[1] Sadly, in January 2022, a fire on site caused extensive...Read More
Paper Traditions From Around The World
How Paper Plays A Role In Different Traditions From Around The World Writing on it, folding it, floating it or burning it... paper is central to some of the world’s oldest traditions that continue to be practiced today. Here, we explore 12 of the most fascinating traditions from around the globe, each of which has...Read More
Don’t Throw Away Your Old Christmas Wrapping Paper!
Christmas is a time full of excess, including excess waste – typically an increase of about 30% compared with the rest of the year.[1] Even though many of us will be spending a little more carefully this year, there are things we can do to also reduce waste – and have fun in the process....Read More
Mars Moves To Paper Packaging
As it’s announced that Mars bars will move from plastic to paper-based packaging, we look at how paper is gradually taking over the sustainable packaging industry. In a significant development for the paper packaging industry, one of the world’s biggest confectionary companies is converting the packaging for its most popular chocolate bars to recyclable, paper-based...Read More
8 Clever Christmas Gift Wrapping Ideas
How To Create Maximum Effect With Minimum Environmental Impact Nothing heightens the sense of anticipation on Christmas morning more than beautifully wrapped presents under the tree. But, as we all become more conscious of our environmental responsibilities, you might be wondering if that means you need to compromise on your wrapping paper and start wrapping...Read More
9 Last Minute Christmas Gifts Made From Paper
We’ve all been there. Christmas is suddenly right around the corner; you’re feeling like summer only ended three weeks ago and now you’re stuck for inspiration, time and/or pennies when it comes to what to get for your friends and family. We all know at least one person in our circle who is seemingly just...Read More
Gift Wrapping – The Highstreet Initiative
Did you know, not all wrapping paper we buy from the shops can be recycled? FatFace, along with some other big highstreet names, have come up with an initiative that will save you time, effort, and money this Christmas. Picture the scene. You’ve walked into your local highstreet retailer and picked up that perfect gift...Read More
Make Your Own Paper Christmas Decorations
Decorating the house for Christmas is always lots of fun, but it can be extra special when you have made the decorations yourself. Making decorations from paper, especially if you use old wrapping paper saved from the year before, is environmentally friendly, too. Here are 10 DIY Christmas decorations that kids of all ages will...Read More
4 Paper Crafts For A Spooktacular Halloween
“Double, double, toil and trouble; Fire burn and cauldron bubble” [1] As the nights draw in and the days grow colder, our attention once again turns to witches, ghouls and things that go bump in the night. Halloween is a time when shadows play tricks and imaginations run wild… and what better way to put...Read More
National Novel Writing Month
This November, why not join hundreds of thousands of would-be, and actual, novelists around the world participating in National Novel Writing Month? If like many of us, you have always felt you’ve got a best-seller lurking somewhere inside, then this November could be the time to finally put pen to paper. The concept of National...Read More
6 Paper Crafts Designed To Boost Your Mental Health
Do you look after your mental health? Making time to look after yourself, both mentally and physically, is more important than ever at the moment. Having lived through a pandemic and the aftermath of several lockdowns, it is important that there are coping mechanisms or outlets available for when things get a bit tricky or...Read More
University Starter Pack – The Paper Edition
It’s that time of year again. Bags are being packed, timetables decided, and courses have been chosen. To help you sift through the chaos, here are 7 essential paper-based tips and tricks to help see you through your first year. 1. Lists It’s not all about partying, studying, and meeting new people. University means that...Read More
Study Reveals That People Prefer Paper Books Over E-Readers
A new report has confirmed the increasing popularity of physical books over e-readers – especially on holiday where paper is the ideal companion. So how was your holiday? Go anywhere nice? Lots of sun? Hopefully, you have managed to get a summer break and are now dealing with the barrage of questions about your holiday....Read More
Wondering What Book To Read Next?
Whether you’re an avid reader or someone who would like to read more, deciding what book to read next can be a challenge, particularly when you consider the overwhelming choice of titles available. Back in 2010, Google Books did a count of the number of books that had been published since the invention of the...Read More
The Plantable Papers Of Japan
What do you do with your newspaper once you’ve finished reading it? A Japanese publisher of 'The Mainichi Shimbusha' newspaper, has devised a ‘green’ newspaper initiative meaning that people can plant the paper wherever it ends up. Why Was It Invented? If you have been to a city centre in the last few months you have...Read More
How A Car Was Made Entirely From Paper
When London-based Scottish paper artist Kyla McCallum was commissioned by automotive manufacturer Lexus to create a model car made of paper, she turned to Antalis for advice on suitable materials. The scaled car, complete with a paper city through which it cruises, features in a promotional video created by Lexus in tribute to Takumi craftsmanship....Read More
What Is A Diorama And How To Make A Shoebox Scene
A diorama is a crafted 3D scene, typically made to a life-size scale (as seen in museums and tourist hotspots) or as a miniature model. The miniature model versions are often built by hobbyists with aligning interests in cars, planes, ships, military events and history, model figures and games. Although model dioramas often depict real-world...Read More
Papier Mâché: A Fun And Inexpensive Craft For All The Family
If you’re looking for ideas to keep children occupied during the long summer holidays, look no further than papier mâché. It’s a fun craft in its own right, but it can also be used to create any number of objects that will provide hours of entertainment until back-to-school time and beyond. A Brief History Of...Read More
3 Activities to Teach Children Recycling Habits
Now that 74% of paper[1] and 83% of paper-based packaging[2] in Europe is recycled into new products, how do we pass on our recycling routine to the next generation to help maintain and improve the current recycling rates? Recycling is becoming more essential in our daily lifestyle with councils changing bin collection routines, companies promoting...Read More
Celebrating A First Wedding Anniversary? It’s All About Paper!
June is the beginning of the peak wedding period, so there will be a lot of wedding anniversaries being celebrated this month. Celebrations for gold and silver wedding anniversaries date back as early as the 1500s. However, it seems it’s only since the Victorian era, when the giving of gifts became more common, that other...Read More
Philately Anyone?
The idea of studying or collecting postage stamps – or philately, to use the official term – might be dismissed by the majority of us as being a bit stuffy, boring or old fashioned, but the truth is, stamp collecting is perhaps more interesting than many of us realise. Plus, postage stamps are another example...Read More
When Was The Last Time You Read A Printed Magazine?
It may come as a surprise in this digital age, but about 52% of British adults still read printed magazines. And it’s not a generational thing either as a reported 7 out of 10 millennials read printed magazines for leisure and entertainment. So, in an age when digital screens dominate, and we seemingly have all...Read More
Earth Day 2022
With the theme of ‘Invest in our planet’, this year’s Earth Day falls on April 22. We look at its purpose and some of the events and activities happening around the world. What will you be doing on Friday 22 April? If you follow the environmental news, chances are you will know that April 22...Read More
The Art of Quilling – Q&A With Sena Runa
“Paper has many variations such as different colours, types, thickness, and weight.” Have you heard of quilling? This paper-based craft consists of carefully rolled and shaped strips of paper that are constructed on a flat surface and glued in place to resemble patterns or objects. The art of quilling has been around for hundreds of...Read More
Paper Furniture: The New, Environmentally-Friendly, Design Trend
Over the last couple of years, while we’ve all been spending more time at home, many of us have taken the opportunity to give our living spaces a makeover in an effort to make them more comfortable as well as more practical for homeworking. But what about the furniture we buy – and throw out?...Read More
LEGO – Building Bricks Towards Sustainability
Lego is building bricks towards sustainability with their initiative to change all internal packaging within their sets from plastic to paper. Following Lego’s 2021 financial results, their Ambassador Network has issued a brief update on LEGO’s transition away from single-use plastic in its packaging. In their statement, it was revealed that from March 2022, people...Read More
Morrisons Milk to Swap Plastic for Cartons
Supermarket giant Morrisons is making an innovative move to switch all its branded milk from plastic bottles to paper-based cartons. With sustainability at the forefront of everyone’s minds, larger companies are doing their bit in the bid towards a greener, more sustainable future. www.printweek.com A First For Supermarkets From mid-February, nine types of Morrisons fresh...Read More
WORLD BOOK DAY – 3rd March 2022
Created by UNESCO on 23 April 1995, World Book Day is a celebration of books, authors and illustrators. Its ultimate aim is to encourage children and young people to discover the pleasure of reading. Over 100 countries around the world mark World Book Day each year. Why Reading For Pleasure Is Important Numerous studies have...Read More
Postage Stamp Inspired Sustainable Packaging
The demand for sustainability has never been more prominent than it is currently. Sustainable clothing, furniture, and packaging are everywhere and are encouraging designers to think creatively and show initiative to do their bit for the planet. The Stamp Egg packaging is most notable as it can be detached and is made up entirely of...Read More
5 Artists Who Fold Paper For A Living
Have you ever tried your hand at Origami? The ancient Japanese art of paper folding has become an ever-increasing popular activity for people of all ages. Translated, the word ‘Origami’, means ‘to fold paper’ in Japanese. Its complexity ranges anywhere from a simple paper plane to complex 3D structures such as creatures and flowers. These...Read More
The Return Of The Handwritten Letter
When was the last time you wrote or received a handwritten letter? It seems that in our tech-dominated world that many people are wanting to change how we communicate and are going about it in a more traditional way. Thus, the handwritten letter is making a comeback. Over the last year, Hobbycraft has seen a...Read More
6 Creative Ideas On How To Use Paper For Bonfire Night
The evenings are getting darker, the leaves are falling from the trees and we are getting close to the best day of the year (Christmas). That means bonfire night is soon upon us! To get everyone even more excited for bonfire night, we came up with 6 paper related bonfire night ideas that are a...Read More
10 Ways To Use Paper Around The House To Put The Horror In Halloween
Halloween is a fun-filled night of the year with spooky costumes, scary stories, and lots of candy. Getting into the Halloween spirit doesn’t mean you need to buy overpriced costumes and Halloween decorations. You can easily horrify your home to be a Spooktacular place on Halloween night. This list will give you ideas on how...Read More
5 Ways To Repurpose Your Used Paper Cups
How often do you find yourself grabbing a quick coffee to go for your morning commute, or even whilst out shopping as a treat? After you have consumed your beverage though, what do you do with the cup? In the UK we use 7 million disposable coffee cups every day and less than 1% of...Read More
FSC Friday
Friday 24 September is FSC Friday. It’s an annual event organised by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) to raise awareness of their work and what we can all do, at work or at home, to support it. This year’s theme ‘Save our forests. Save our climate.’ aims to highlight the FSC’s support for international climate...Read More
How To Become A Recycling Pro At Home
Rising consumerism, an increasing population – it is well-documented that humanity is generating more waste than the planet can handle. Fortunately, as we become more conscious of the need to protect our environment and live sustainably, many of us are also realising that responsibility begins at home. One really easy contribution we can all make...Read More
Paper Packaging Goes Travelling ‘Dan Dan Style’
Paper packaging is typically used for protecting goods whilst in transit or storage and for holding various objects and materials. Polar architect Yusuke Murakami has been exploring the unlimited potentials that paper and cardboard have to offer. Picture the scene; you’re walking through a forest and come across a clearing in the trees. Something catches...Read More
Waste-Not-Want-Not! Here are 6 Artists That Use Recycled Materials in Their Work
What do you do when you’ve finished with your newspapers, paper-based packaging, or shopping bags? Apart from recycling them, have you ever wondered what potential an old newspaper or a shopping bag could have? Given the current climate crisis we are facing, it is more important than ever that we all do our bit for...Read More
How to Have A Sustainable Halloween
In a 2020 survey conducted by Hubbub and The Fairy Land Trust, it was estimated that 2000 tonnes of plastic waste would be generated from thrown away Halloween costumes alone. Trewin Restorick, founder and CEO of Hubbub, commented that, “the total plastic waste footprint of Halloween will be even higher once you take into account...Read More
5 Reasons To Put Pen To Paper – The Written Letter Revival
From increasing wellbeing to decreasing stress, a written letter is one of the best ways to stay in contact with family and friends. Discover the benefits of putting pen to paper If there was a new activity that’s relaxing, proven to increase wellbeing, and brings guaranteed joy to people close to you, it’s likely hundreds...Read More
Letters to Santa
December is now upon us and for many, that means it is time to start preparing for the Christmas festivities. This often entails a great deal of planning, shopping, cooking and usually a lot of stress to boot. But whilst we adults are busy with the organisation; the younger members of the family may be preoccupied with something a little more magical…
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