Fresh and Creative Secrid Wallets

Father's Day is right around the corner, so we wanted to take a closer look at the Secrid wallets we carry. They are small, minimalistic wallets that hold much more than first meets the eye, and they make great gifts - for others or for yourself!

The aluminum case carries 4-6 cards, and is RFID blocking, which means that you never need to worry about accidental or unwanted scans.

You simply flick the tab at the bottom, and the cards pop up, staggered for ease of removal. Simple, efficient, and reliable. 

The wallets come in single and double sizes, as well as with or without a snap closure.

We have recently brought in brighter and bolder colours on top of the classic browns, blacks, and blues - there's something for everyone! 

You can also buy the aluminum case on its own, or pair it with a backing that allows for a secret compartment where you can store sim cards, cash, or other cards. A thick elastic band secures the two parts together, while allowing for a smooth slide.

These wallets are wonderfully compact. We know how easily bags get filled - and these wallets are great space savers, whether you're keeping it in your bag or your pocket.

We are always on the lookout for creative and innovative items, and we think that these wallets fit the bill!

Blog by Christine Wiebe

Scratch Maps at Paper-Ya!

We got so excited about one of our newest products that we just had to share! These scratch maps are a really fun way to track your travels and to inspire you to travel even more!

We love that each map will be different, tracking each person's unique trips. The more you explore, the more you get to reveal!

The maps scratch away to unveil colours, names, and more. Each map has different legends at the bottom, to help you navigate the world.

We recommend using a clean, blunt object to scratch, such as a toothpick or a butter knife.

We currently have two sizes - large and small - and three different styles to choose from. Stop by Paper-Ya to say hi and check them out!

Blog by Christine Wiebe

What's up with Noodler's Ink?

At Paper-Ya, we have a lot of love for all of our inks. It's not easy to choose which ones to bring in!

Generous bottles of lovely inks and really fun artwork!

One of the brands we carry is Noodler's Inks. They come in an array of stunning colours, and each ink has its own unique properties. We do our best to bring in a wide variety of colours with each order. Whether you’re using a dip or a fountain pen or even using it for art, Noodler’s Ink will provide!

A fairly common question we get is whether left-handed people can use fountain pens without smudging the ink across the page, and we always recommend the Noodler’s quick-drying Bernanke black or blue. With its quick drying speed, it’s ideal not only for left-handed people, but also for people who use fountain pens on the go!

We love that so many of the inks are waterproof, archival, UV resistant, forgery resistant… the list goes on. Whether you’re taking notes in class, working as an artist, or even writing your meeting minutes, these inks will help keep your work preserved throughout the years.

The Noodler’s Ink website includes a photo sample of every colour of ink. You can see them all here!

We also recommend that people choose their paper carefully. Paper that’s too thin or too rough will bleed through or feather. If you're familiar with our store, you'll know there is a plethora of choices. But don't worry! We are happy to recommend a variety of journals and paper that are ideal for dip and fountain pens.

Ink newcomers and veterans - we'd love to see you and help you pick out ink, or hear about your experiences with it. We'll see you soon at Paper-Ya!

Blog by Christine Wiebe

Warmth and Inspiration from Paper-Ya

Working at Paper-Ya means being surrounded by endless inspiration. Every time we receive new items, fresh ideas are kindled. My coworkers and customers are an endless source of creativity - each person coming in with a unique background and viewpoint.

There is a strong feeling of warmth and brightness that emanates from every corner of the store, and it's something that I've found myself incorporating into my own decor at home.

In this blog post, I wanted to share how I incorporated paper, pens, decor, and ideas from Paper-Ya into my wedding.

Decor

I used some of our thick, shimmering ribbon to tie around mason jars for some simple DIY decor. I placed white rocks and a small tea light inside for a warm, ambient glow as the sun set for the evening.

Reception table

Setting up the reception table!

I used Japanese tissue as the foundation of colour and style for my decor. I chose gold and silver, since they were easy to match, and also decorative statements of their own. The fibrous paper stood out against the white tablecloth, and framed my guestbook perfectly.

The string lights were a soft, romantic touch. Since they used batteries, I didn’t need to worry about plugging them in or having unsightly cords to tuck away. The warm glow lit up the reception table perfectly.

Guest Book

I chose a Japanese-made guestbook with a cover made of Chiyogami. The pages inside are thick enough to handle felt markers, and the first page has a gorgeous wood-pattern design.

I matched the cover of my guestbook to the Japanese tissue, though most of the time the guestbook lay open, so the cover is less important during the wedding and more important afterwards when it goes on my bookshelf.

If we’d had them in stock at the time, our Rag & Bone guest books would have been a strong contender. The raw silk and gorgeous bindings would have been pretty hard to resist.

Pens

Simple white and blue Caran D’Ache pens offset the strong gold and silver tones of the Japanese paper and guestbook. I chose them for their smooth flow of ink and understated design. I did not want them to overwhelm the rest of the table.

Our elegant standing pens would have been another excellent option.

I also had a couple of gel pens and markers for added colour, in case anyone wanted to have a bit of fun or decorate their page. It definitely made for some creative designs!

Invitations

Washi tape was my best friend for all of my cards and place cards. I decided to do everything by hand since I was having a smaller wedding and did not need to make them by the hundreds. I used blues and golds for the most part, and used thinner black tape to give a nice contrast in colour and size. My designs were quite random and I had a lot of fun taping everything. I taped the cards before I cut them to get the perfect cut at the edges of the paper.

I used slightly iridescent champagne-coloured paper for the actual invitation, and a white card stock for the place cards. 

I also used white iridescent pocket envelopes for the invitations, though proper envelopes would have worked just as well.

Thank you cards

140lb paper, and random watercolour splattering for an effortless, colourful look.

I kept my thank-you cards simple, to avoid too much stress on my part. The wedding is over - it’s time to relax! So I decided to make colourful fronts, and include a simple note on the back. I also cut out seed paper that the recipients can plant, as a kind of wedding favour.

All of my decor contained a certain warmth and beauty that was influenced by Paper-Ya. It is something you can take away with you every time you visit the store.

Blog written by Christine Wiebe

Women Walking Strong: A snapshot interview with local artist Linda Klippenstein

Here we explore how she uses textured pieces of paper to create incredible works of art.

What is your inspiration for your series 'Walking Strong'? What are you hoping people take away from it?

My inspiration for that particular series came from women who I've met at the Warm Zone, a drop in centre for women who are street involved. Women at this centre live the most difficult of lives, are socially isolated, most are active in addiction as well as in survival sex work. I've been a volunteer at the Warm Zone for seven years, and I've been hugely impacted by women there.  They are survivors, strong and resilient.

I've created and sold artworks for private commissions with this theme, and I've also facilitated larger group projects with this same "Women Walking Strong" theme.  Currently I'm planning a large community project, taking canvases to a variety of locations to include women who otherwise wouldn't participate - women who are incarcerated, elderly women who are isolated, students. These canvases will open March 8 on International Women's Day and will be on display at TheReach art gallery till the end of March.     
                                                                       
I hope that people who help create the series, or who have purchased one of my pieces from that series, will understand that we are much stronger when we walk together, when we "see" each other.

How do you choose your papers?

 I love papers with fine, delicate designs because I cut or tear them into half inch pieces. I also use papers which take paints well. I usually highlight or shade my completed designs with paints, and papers that have a too glossy finish don't take paint well.

How long have you been making art? 

16 years.

Do you have any advice for people who want to try their hand at paper art?

Just start! If you don't like your initial design you can always cover it with different papers. Also, use a good quality adhesive- I use professional mediums such as Golden or Liquitex because they don't yellow over time.

The process:

Papers add a rich texture to your art and give it dimension.

First I buy papers. Sometimes, if I'm facilitating a project for a non-profit, and budget is an issue,  I'll paint some of my own papers and use a combination of painted and bought papers.  Papers are cut into small pieces.

I draw my designs, in this case, the design is of a group of women walking, surrounded by trees, with mountains in the background. The drawing is divided in to small sections, Mosaic like, and I choose which papers I want to put in the different sections and collage (glue) them to the canvas. Once they're glued down I'll add subtle high lights and shadows with acrylic paints, and then I'll varnish.

Linda Klippenstein is a local artist based in Abbotsford. You can follow Linda on instagram @lklip and visit her website at linda.klippenstein.ca.

Blog by Christine Wiebe

Gifts for the special peeps on your list!

You'll find the perfect gift for your friends, mom, sisters or lovers at Paper-Ya. (Ok ladies, we know you are going to be tempted to buy a little something for yourself! Thats okay, you're not alone!)

For youngsters, tweens, or kids at heart. Creativity, making and modeling gifts are always loved. And don't forget the stocking stuffers! Here are just a few ideas to give to those with busy hands.

Is it just us, or is it true that the guys are always hardest to buy for? We have chosen some of their favorites. It seems they like beer! And nature, and style and if all else fails, we have our new gift card!

You will always find something great for your coworkers who get you through the day. And don't forget that generous hostess who made your holiday season more special. 

And last but not least, making memories for the wee ones is the best part of Christmas.

We'll be open until 5pm on Christmas Eve (not that we're encouraging last minute shoppers, but we know how it goes sometimes).

Here's wishing you a safe and toasty-warm Christmas season — no matter how you celebrate it.

Christmas at Paper-Ya: A joy & delight!

Every year, at this time, we find ourselves immersed with heartfelt enthusiasm. We love decorating the store! Our store takes on a delightful feeling that we enjoy sharing with you. We all seem to have so much more fun, and why not, the world needs more fun these days. So let's get decorating!

For the foodie: big fat dill pickles, slices of pizza, hot dogs, and a burger make for a festive party in the kitchen or dinning room.

For the critter lover: and who does not love critters? Mantlepieces, table centerpieces, or the front door are all sweet spots for critters.

For the odd ball: eye balls of course! Hang on the car mirror...and keep smiling!

This is just a sneak peek of what's on our shelves now — Stayed tuned, we'll be posting more!