Paper, Paper, Paper

Why the paper matters as much as the words.

Have you ever picked up a piece of paper and thought, Oh, this is lovely!?

I have. A lot. It's probably a stationer's occupational hazard!

When I started developing Dear & Always, I attended Paper School with Clampitt Paper Co. and had the wonderful experience of receiving and selecting samples from paper companies and vendors. I loved exploring all the possibilities, comparing textures and weights, and finding just the right paper for each of my products.

For our heirloom letters, I chose 100% cotton paper.

Why? Because these letters are meant to hold words worth keeping. I wanted paper that felt special in your hands and made writing a letter feel like an occasion in itself.

Could you send a postcard made from a cereal box? Of course! And Grandma would probably love it. But when I'm creating something designed to become a keepsake, I want to give you something a little more special.

Here's the catch: cotton paper costs considerably more. Sometimes twice as much! I don't make that decision lightly. After all my research and exploring those wonderful samples, I decided it was the right paper for our heirloom letters.

Not every product needs cotton paper. Our recipes and other stationery have different purposes, and I choose those papers just as thoughtfully.

It's not about choosing the most expensive paper. It's about choosing the right paper for the story it will tell.

And when those words are meant to last in someone's heart, I think that's worth a little extra care.

With love, always,
Dear & Always