Better than Hallmark- Paper Crafters bring smiles
Stephanie Thompson and Sandy Morse
Did you know our own SaddleBrooke Paper Crafters have been delivering smiles to hundreds of seniors in local senior care facilities for over 20 years? That’s right, the SaddleBrooke Paper Crafters have been making and delivering beautiful handmade cards, free of charge, to folks who otherwise may not have any birthday cards on their special day.
Now, the 66 Paper Crafters’ members have teamed up with Senior Village to continue this heartwarming tradition of sending exquisite birthday cards and so far, in 2018, the Paper Crafters have made and provided 425 cards to our Senior Village members and patrons on their birthdays.
In a recent interview with Paper Crafters Georgeann Becker and Liz Spielmann, Senior Village wanted to know how these mini works of art are made. We learned that Paper Crafters have moved from inked wooden blocks to the modern technique of thin, clear polymer stamps that are inked and pressed onto the paper, which produces sharper images without smudging.
Each card begins with a sheet of stock paper and the crafter then creates a colorful, layered three-dimensional card. Georgeann explained that they choose from a wide array of materials: ribbons, beads, rhinestones, glitter paper, pearls, sequins, marking pens, inks, colored pencils and more. She enthusiastically added, “The more layers, the more elegant it looks!”
Making a card can be as simple as using a child’s paint kit and colored pencils. Liz said, “When you have a stamp and you put it down on paper and color it, you can have a card. Whatever you want. It’s the sheer pleasure of creating something.”
Paper crafting is not limited to cards; other creations are gift boxes, favor boxes, Christmas ornaments and more. Georgeann added, “I didn’t know I had a creative side. You don’t need to be an artist. It’s the experience of doing something new and different, creating a personal card and the reaction of the people who receive them.”
Georgeann and Liz agree that designing cards is a restful and enjoyable hobby, and they are happy to share their cards with Senior Village. Liz voiced her support for the Village, “It’s such a wonderful service for our community.”
What talent, dedication, and generosity this group has and Senior Village is forever grateful for the smiles that the Paper Crafters’ customized cards bring to our members. In addition to receiving birthday cards, Senior Village members are invited to a monthly no-host birthday luncheon at a SaddleBrooke restaurant where they meet new friends who share the same birthday month.
The Village provides many other services like transportation to appointments and shopping, simple fix-it projects around the house and yard, social home visits and many activities like putters, bocce, bingo, book club and game day. To become a Senior Village member or patron or to volunteer on one of our teams, phone 520-314-1042. To learn more about Paper Crafters, call Opal Larkin at 520-825-4062.