Timing is everything” or is it “better late then never”? Or is it both?

Since the beginning of 2009, I made it a personal goal to stay positive for the new year. With this commitment to my customers, my friends and family, and myself, I figured rather than pecking away on this new but already-beat laptop, I need to get out there and experience. Just do and be. It’s amazing when you just immerse yourself in new experiences, and remain open to the unknown, how much good returns to you when you are decisively acting on your resolution. One example was my visit to Soolip Paperie in January. Wanda Wen, the owner of this wonderful store, in Beverly Hills, was so generous with her time and resources as we discussed the present economy and what we are going to do to combat the gloom and doom. Our conversation, while enjoying her pasta was pivotal in cementing a relationship and direction for the future. Please visit her store if you are in the LA area-her unique sense of taste and presentation will inspire you as well. Next, off to Japan again, infused with energy to show the same hospitality as received in LA to my super neighbors and students. Unready for the unexpected, which is how it should be, these super folks totally got me with a surprise birthday party. Their timing couldn’t have been more perfect. I was shocked, overwhelmed and highly touched! How do they know me so well?! My absolute favorite, made-from-scratch, homecooking; filled with love.

Soon after the surprise party, I headed to Kyoto and North of Kyoto to the “Tango” (love that name, because I love the dance too) area of Kyoto Prefecture. I met some of the most generous folks ever, all coincidental or not? and as a bonus, I arranged to meet the Tanaka family, who make some of the most scrumptious, Tango Washi (now stocked at Paper Connection!)

                                              Another fruitful planned event was participating as a vendor at the  annual Southern Graphics Council Conference (SGC), this year held in Chicago.

It turned out this was the IDEAL city to be in for SGC, even in a down economy. It was the highest attended show in the history of SGC- 1600 people! This conference is always so informative, especially this year, where we received so much great feedback about our papers. Who knew Paper Connection’s world-class line of handmade, sumi paper is great for etching!?! Our exclusive Kumohada Unryu papers, originally used as wallcovering, are now a favorite for intaglio… Many thanks to Steve Woodall at the Columbia College for Book and Paper Arts, as they helped us host our Chicago soiree in honor of Aiko’s and paper lovers everywhere. The space was just right, and the opportunity to meet some our new (and                                                          previous) clientele from Chicago was priceless.



Most recently (May ’09) we returned from the NAMTA (National Art Materials Association) Show, this year held in Louisville, KY. The people of Louisville, or as they say it, “Looahvul,” showed us their true Southern hospitality. The show reception was held at the Kentucky Derby Museum, where we could happily reunite with old friends, who we may only see once or twice a year. Most importantly, we learned what makes a thoroughbred. Man! That Mind That Bird really had amazing timing – record-breaking in fact.

Los Angeles, Tokyo, Kyoto, Barcelona, Toulouse, Louisville, and Providence. Some of the many places Paper Connection has been just in the past 5 months. It’s not necessarily glamorous, but rather compelling when we meet the individuals there who feed off our resolve. We feed off theirs too. I took advantage of opportunities to meet and see many interesting people and places; the importance of face to face meetings well outweighed the monthly blogging about it. All of these meetings were at the right place, at the right time, yet mostly unscheduled. All lead to unforgettable conversations and friendships; human to human connections through the common language of paper. It always seems to start and ends with paper, probably because I unconsciously craft the time that way…. Stay in the paper zone.