Oh, What Fun We Had Getting Scrappy with our Scraps!

Our founder, Sharon Kopko, holds Fred Rogers in high esteem. And when you get to know Sharon, which many did this week, it’s easy to see why. They share a gentle sense of humor, a true love for people, and a willingness - and desire to help. And it was this desire to help - to help moms and kids in particular - that sparked an idea in Sharon’s mind. An idea that started as a project that would lead moms and kids through an at-home activity making paper and turned into so much more.

Moms around the country - and around the world - are being tasked with finding ways to keep their children busy and happy during this time when most of the usual entertainment and educational choices are off limits. Sharon was inspired by her own daughter, Jaimi, who comes up with new arts and crafts projects for her two young children - Sharon’s beloved grandbabies - each day. You could say that out of the imaginations and hearts of both Sharon and Jaimi, Getting Scrappy with your Scraps was born - a free three-day mini course teaching moms and kids how to make handmade paper. Of course, making paper is something Sharon does every day

We had people around the world - more than 500 of them - working their way through the class, having fun, making messes, enjoying laughter and time together, and - in the end - making gorgeous handmade paper out of nothing more than scraps around the house. We even had a member of the course make paper out of the pages of an old telephone book! She created true beauty out of something that seemed to have lost its purpose. And in this challenging time, where beauty can be hard to find, making paper was a perfect way to spend time together.

During the three days the course was live, Sharon appeared live in the Facebook group to answer questions and exclaim over your creativity. You truly wowed us with your enthusiasm and with the results of your hard work. You made paper of different colors, shapes and sizes. Some paper was made with confetti, others with flower petals or seeds. When it was time for the class to come to an end, it was impossible to tell who had had more fun - Sharon or all of you! 

Sharon not only teaches little people and their moms - or grandmas - how to make paper. She also teaches her signature class, Cotton Rags to Riches. Let’s let Sharon tell us about it in her own words. 

“Come learn the art of making paper with PRESSED paper + print. Handmade paper has taken the creative world by storm and will only continue to grow!  My heart is so happy to see new paper makers emerging and I would love to help grow this amazing community.  Whether you've been considering making paper as a hobby or launching your very own paper business, we have something for everyone!”

Click here to join the waitlist for Cotton Rags to Riches!