Clarity Trumps Snobbery

Several years ago I was a writing tutor at the writing center of a university. I was horrified to learn that my job was not to help people learn how to avoid grammar errors. The sole purpose of my job was to assist students in learning to communicate clearly; grammar corrections were to be avoided unless there were regular problems distracting from the student clearly communicating.

Gee, what a thing to be proud of.

Folded Paper Teacup

I've been posting "literary purchases" on my Facebook page for a while, but I've decided to move them over here. There are so many fun and interesting things to buy! Many of them are from Etsy, but not everything is. Feel free to contact me if you have something an item you've purchased that you want me to post here. I've never had a guest post before - I think it would be fun!

If I post something I plan to purchase, I'll say so and also post a review later. When I post something I already own I'll still be including links back to where it came from. I'll also be contacting the artists of handmade items in case they have any further information on their beautiful creations.  I'll be sure to add that information as an update with a link back to the post.

Folded Book Paper Teacup from Cafe Paperie on Etsy

Today's very first Literary Consumerism purchase is a folded paper teacup from Cafe Paperie on Etsy.  As with all of the items I've found on Etsy that are made from books, the description says that they are made from recycled and/or discarded books. I'm operating under the assumption that there was something wrong with the book so that it could no longer be read or that it is a very, very common book that you can find anywhere. I know that I run across the same books over and over at thrift stores and library sales!

Folded book art is a wonderful way to upcycle a product and also to draw attention to the beauty of books. Books have their own special kind of beauty. There's something wonderful about flipping through the pages or just looking at a bookshelf. Folded bookart displays the pages in a way that a book on a shelf can't. Artists like Karen L at Cafe Paperie use their talents to show us a different way to see the books we love. This particular piece is special to me because having a nice cuppa tea while I read is one of the greatest joys in life.

The product page also notes that they'll make custom items. If a teacup isn't your thing, contact Karen about what you'd like to see in folded book art. I've found that all Etsy artisans are happy to work with you to make sure you get exactly what you want. It's one of the reasons I prefer to shop on Etsy and buy items from real people.

I've had this lovely literary item on my wishlist for a while and plan to purchase it before my Twisted Tea Party planned for the end of January (did you see all that alliteration?). I'll be sure to post a photo and review once the party is over, and I'll add comments from the party goers because I've got some beautiful wordsmiths attending the event and along with tea I'll be serving schnapps. Nothing like some homemade schnapps to get the real truth out of people!