Capture the Light

The Sunday Paper #583

November 30, 2025

The older I get, the more I think about the arch of my career. One source of inspiration that has carried through is capturing the light. Whether I’m holding a sheet of paper up to a window to check the quality of formation or surrounding a candle or battery-operated tea light with a sculptural paper form, I’m always observing how the paper diffuses, enhances and holds light. This is the theme of next summer’s Taos Paper Retreat, which will be held at the Mabel Dodge Luhan House in the Land of Enchantment. Click on the photo below to watch a video about the retreat, and click here to learn more and join us. Feel free to send me an email me if you have any questions.

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I had the pleasure of speaking with Lee McDonald on Paper Talk. McDonald is a papermaker with a long history of making tools. He has been involved with paper for over 5 decades, starting in the early years of Twinrocker Handmade Paper, and then moving on to making custom moulds, followed by building beaters, presses, and papermaking dryers. His future projects include ensuring how techniques and tools will be available in the future. McDonald is currently working on personal paper projects in his No Name Yet Paper Mill, along with making the mill available to artists.

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Speaking of capturing the light and the arch of my career, Jenny Pinto came to work with me in my Portland studio way back in the year 2000. We processed banana fiber she brought from India, worked on the projects for my book Paper Illuminated, and experimented with embedding wire between wet sheets. Jenny went on to found and then sell her company, Oorjaa (which she still consults for) and just received an award from Elle Decor India in the sustainable category for her Flamefall Gulmohar light. Congratulations, Jenny!

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I saw this vibrant, American-made wrapping paper by MASU over on the All Things Paper blog. Their holiday collections have such fun names: Oh What Fun!, Hanukkah Chutzpah, FaLaLaLaLa Pinkmas, and Jingle Jolly Joy.

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Paper TidbitsBook Paper Scissors looks like a fun event at the Philadelphia Free Library (Saturday, December 6th)I’m a member of the Craft Industry Alliance, a supportive trade organization. Receive 25% off memberships Black Friday through Cyber Monday by entering CRAFTPOP when you sign up.

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Author’s Corner

Weaving With Paper starts shipping later this week!

Join me on Zoom for a Publication Day Party for Weaving With Paper on 12/16.Order an autographed copy of Weaving With Paper with or without a special paper kit + a weaving tool.You can find all of my books wherever fine books are sold.Colorado peeps, Save the Dates! I’ll be at The Bookworm of Edwards on January 13th and at Two Hands Paperie in Boulder on January 31st.I’m doing online book events and workshops for paper, book, fiber and weaving guilds. Reach out if you’d like to book one!

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Work With HelenMy 2026 Papermaking Master Classes will take place June 1-5 and September 14-18 in my Red Cliff Studio. Join us and learn all about the papermaking process in a small group of four.The 2026 Taos Paper Retreat theme is Capture the Light. Become enchanted with the light of Taos, New Mexico July 19-25, 2026 (sign up by 1/15/26). (8 spots left)

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