Happy Paper Anniversary!
Today marks Cave Paper’s first birthday in Tucson! Amanda pointed out to me that the symbol for a one-year anniversary is paper — how appropriate! It looks like we’ll be saving the big party for next year, but for now I’ll be sprinkling in some surprises throughout the month as a way to celebrate. When we set this plan in motion back in 2019, we could not have predicted what was to come. It is a testament to the beautiful work and strong foundation Amanda and Bridget created that you all have continued to support the studio through such a challenging time. Thank you for your enthusiasm for this new chapter in Cave’s story as the studio continues to evolve and grow in its new home.
Within the studio, the most important lesson for me has been a simple one: be patient. Paper, it turns out, is an excellent teacher of patience. More often than not, any attempt I’ve made to rush a step of the process has worked against me. I’m finding that this lesson extends beyond moments of allowing gelatin sizing to cure properly, into the larger picture of Cave’s future. The ambitions I had right out of the gate are still here percolating, and there are weekends and evenings here and there where those dreams take on a little more shape. For now maintaining the day-to-day production is where the bulk of my focus needs to be. It is okay to give things the time they need. “Hold on!” has been a true motto for the past year, both in the “don’t be hasty” and the “hang on for dear life” senses of the phrase.
Today my former intern Eliza, now part-time employee, spent a few hours making some beautiful flax sheets. Her sheetforming is fantastic and watching her skills improve has been beyond rewarding. She set up completely on her own, told me her plan for the day, and got to it! I would not have imagined that possibility a year ago. Taking some time to reflect has been a nice exercise in really looking at all that has been accomplished already. You know, a year isn’t actually very long!
On a personal note, the studio has been a real sanctuary for me when I feel overwhelmed by the state of the world, and the people I have met through Cave have been bright spots throughout a dark year. I am very lucky to come to work here every day, and I’m slowly finding more ways to share these resources. Along with patience, paper is also a great teacher of impermanence and change. I do think at its core, papermaking is a radical and transformative act! That’s the energy I want to bring into year two.
If you have a chance to check out the Cave Paper instagram (@cavepaper), I’ve been posting more regularly there and just added a Highlight featuring different projects made with our paper. If you use Cave Paper in your work, always feel free to send photos or tag Cave on social media — seeing what the paper becomes when it leaves the studio is one of the greatest perks of the job.
Here we go!
