Paper Source, 740 Hearst Avenue Berkeley, CA
I’ve realized that I rarely share with you guys some of my favorite places to visit, so from this point forward I am making a conscious effort to expand beyond my home and into the world I tramp. First up I want to show you one of my recent finds: Paper Source in Berkeley. It’s a wonderful store filled with all you can possibly imagine when it comes to crafting with paper, from deliciously thick, elegant printed paper, to glues and adhesives galore, to in-store demonstrations of crafting 101. Think Mr. Magoriums Wonder Imporium for parchment.
Cardstock in every color of the rainbow
Sheaves of printed papers and tons of beautiful knick knacks
What I love the most about this shop, beyond it’s infinite inventory, is how helpful and sweet their employees are. The cutest gave me a little tour when I told her I’d never been in the store before; you could tell she truly loved where she worked. Then, she gave me a quick demonstration on how to emboss paper, which I have to say was one of THE coolest things I’ve seen.
First, she took a rubber stamp and used a glue pad to stamp an image onto the paper.
A sticky leaf pattern is left behind - you can use a regular stamp pad as well if you want color instead.
She sprinkled on some embossing powder, shook off the excess, and heated the residue with a special dryer. What's left is a beautiful, raised image! Perfect for personalized cards
If you aren’t by the Berkeley area, you can find a Paper Source location near you. I highly recommend stopping in, even if you aren’t a huge paper crafter. The store and the people inside it will inspire you to start creating before you know it!
What’s your favorite local craft store? Where do you frequently shop (whether for clothes, art, home decor, etc.)? Where do you get inspired? Let me know!
Cassandra
1 month ago
I LOVE making cards, scrapbooking, etc and I am a frequent buyer at Remember When in Pleasant Hill, CA. I have so much crafting stuff I have a closet dedicated to it. I’m not sure that a visit to the Paper Source would be allowed by my husband at this point, but it certainly looks spectaular in there!
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Maria Reply:
July 21st, 2010 at 11:09 am
Love it! In that case you would probably die when you saw all their inventory, I was blown away!
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Carrie
1 month ago
Maria!
I love Paper Source!! It is a little paradise of great cards, excellent wrapping paper, and thoughtful trinkets. Thanks so much for sharing!
xoxo,
Carrie
ps-ebelskiver giveaway started today…stop by and enter
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Maria Reply:
July 21st, 2010 at 11:10 am
Oh thanks for letting me know!!
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Clare
1 month ago
Oh my gosh, I want to be there right now!
tweet tweet tweet
x
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Maria Reply:
July 21st, 2010 at 11:10 am
Being the dork I am, I couldn’t stop smiling upon entering the building lol.
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caitlin marie
1 month ago
I lOVE paper source! I worked on 4th St. for years so it was a constant lunch break stopping point. xo Caitlin
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Maria Reply:
July 21st, 2010 at 11:10 am
I had no idea all the goodies 4th street has to offer! We should totally do a meetup there!
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caitlin marie Reply:
July 25th, 2010 at 4:22 pm
Yes. best Mexican food at Tacubaya, most beautiful French lingerie that in my someday dreams I will be able to afford at La Folie, best eyebrow wax with Christina at Benefit, best pancakes at Bettes Diner, and obv, Anthro! xo
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Janine - Alternative Housewife
1 month ago
We had one of these (95% sure it was a Paper Source) in my old neighborhood & I loved it. Never made a purchase, just walked around looking at everything and taking in the smell. Mmm.
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Maria Reply:
July 21st, 2010 at 11:11 am
This is me – I’m satisfied browsing for now lol!
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Abi
1 month ago
I have a minor…MAJOR obsession with stationary stores!
So i am loving this post.
It’s so cool that you got to do printing and such
abi.x
I am Abimarvel.
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Maria Reply:
July 22nd, 2010 at 12:16 pm
I don’t even do much paper crafting, but this place has me inspired! Thanks for stopping by
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Emmy Hristova
1 month ago
I used to love embossing! If you ever want to get together and get crafty let me know, I still have all my stamping stuff >.<
That store looks awesome! Don't tell my mom, she'd die if she saw it! lol
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Maria Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 2:56 pm
That would be fun! We could stock up a little and go crazy
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Emmy Hristova Reply:
July 31st, 2010 at 8:52 pm
Let’s do it! I’m moving soon so I’ll be pulling everything out of storage! Then you can visit our new house and we can craft it up
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The Well-Appointed Catwalk
1 month ago
Yes – love this store! Visiting always makes me want to be a DIYer. Unfortunately, my projects never come out quite right. I have thought a lot, though, about buying some of their pretty paper, framing it and simply hanging it on the wall.
xo Marissa
(The Well-Appointed Catwalk)
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Maria Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 2:57 pm
Ooh, sounds like a great idea! Hahaha yea, I can get very frustrated with some of my results as well
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