By Fongkham Lahpinta, this saa paper photo album is covered with loosely woven and embroidered Akha cotton in vibrant colors. Crafted by hand from textured saa (mulberry bark) paper, it features 18 pages that display one 4 x 6-inch vertical picture on either side for a total of 36 vertical photos.
Made in Thailand
100% cotton, saa paper
Designed for vertical photographs
Hand-crafted item -- color, size and/or motif may vary slightly
"Too many arts and stories have disappeared, but saa paper is our village's heritage. I'd feel regret if there was nobody to continue it."
"Too many arts and stories have disappeared, but saa paper is our village's heritage. I'd feel regret if there was... nobody to continue it. So, I still do it today.
"Too many crafts have disappeared, perhaps because we can not find people to continue them, or because the young generation doesn't know their value. But the saa paper tradition in my village is alive and well.
"My name is Fongkham Lahpinta, born in a small rural village renowned for crafting saa paper for more than 100 years. In the past, I can remember, it was made in every home. When I was young, before going to school, I had to beat the mulberry bark fiber used to make it. And so I was always late to school. But if I didn't do it, I'd have had no money to buy food at lunch time. After lunch, I'd walk home to dry the paper pulp – about 50 pages each day – and return to school. So I only finished grade 4 of primary school.
"When I was a child, the villagers used saa paper for umbrellas and books. I remember that I used saa paper with a stick of charcoal instead of white paper books and pencils like my friends.
"When I left school to make paper with my family, I was just ten years old. It's hard work for children, but I love it and have tried to design on my own. By 1973, nobody in my village made saa paper except my family. People said that in the modern world everybody uses cloth umbrellas or plastic, and children's books aren't too expensive.
"Before 1980, many villages were very poor. When people went to the hospital in the city, they would ask me for some saa paper to place under their bodies to absorb blood and the doctor was very interested in this paper. Then the hospital ordered my saa paper to use in many ways, for example to support the body, absorb blood or plasma, to make plaster casts, etc. I got many orders for paper and could pay people to help me.
"Today I have lots of work designing new products, organizing my helpers and speaking with the people who visit our workshop. Fortunately, I have my daughter and husband to help and encourage me. Now, many villagers have work here in the area and don't have to look for jobs in the city. I'm proudest to be able to give something back to my village.
"I worry about the young generation that isn't interested in continuing this heritage of our village. But I know how to persuade them to continue our craft. Now, it's good to know about Novica so that we can provide our goods to the whole world and create more jobs for the village."
Saa, or mulberry bark paper has been made by hand in Thailand for more than 700 years and was often used for Buddhist scripts, temple decorations, umbrellas, fans, and kites. The smallest branches produce the highest quality bark. Because the mulberry is a fast-growing species, the branches, once cut, are quickly replenished and can be cut again the following year, while the tree itself lives its natural course.
The bark is saturated in clear water and boiled in cauldrons over a naked flame with several kinds of ashes, thus softening the fibers. Lahpinta adds dyes, and the fibers are beaten to a pulp with mallets until tender. Once hand-sifted with a screen, the fibers are spread out and allowed to dry in the sun for about 20 minutes, after which the paper can easily be peeled off the screen.
Only valid on the Normal shipping option for shipments to 48 Lower US states.
Discounted shipping price may not be applied to previous orders.
This item ships with a free artist storycard, so you can remember who you impacted today. Customized gift messages are also available with every order.
We want you to be 100% satified with your order, so if you are not completely happy with your item, you can return it within 60 days of receiving it.
We pack, ship, certify and 100% guarantee the quality of this item. Watch this video to see how.
This item is available for backorder and will ship within 2 to 8 weeks. Artists love to get backorders. Placing a backorder ensures that the artisan will do their best to create and deliver your item to our local office for shipment.
Although we cannot guarantee availability, we do expect to be able to fill the order within the timeframe indicated. But sometimes life happens - special materials may not be immediately available to the artist, or there might be some other circumstance beyond our control that could delay the shipment.
If for any reason we are unable to ship the item within the timeframe indicated, we will notify you.
In the unlikely even that we are unable to ship the item within the timeframe indicated, we will contact you and provide an updated delivery window.
This item has a special shipping flat fee which means that due to bulk, duties, or other special requirements, the item will be shipped to you via one of our special one-rate services. Shipping is only available to the United States (lower 48 States only).
WOMEN
S
M
L
XL
XXL
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
BUST
35 - 36
37 - 38
39 - 41
42 - 44
46 - 48
WAIST
27 - 28
29 - 30
31 - 33
34 - 36
38 - 40
HIPS
37 - 38
39 - 40
42 - 43
45 - 46
49 - 50
MEN
S
M
L
XL
XXL
CHEST
36 - 38
39 - 41
42 - 44
46 - 48
50 - 52
WAIST
30 - 32
32 - 34
35 - 37
38 - 41
43 - 45
NECK
14 - 14.5
15 - 15.5
16 - 16.5
17 - 17.5
18 - 18.5
SLEEVE
32.5
33.5
34.5
35.5
36.5
FINDING YOUR SIZE
Take your measurements with the tape measure over your under garments. If your measurements fall between sizes you may prefer the next larger size. Inseam, skirt and dress lengths vary by style and will be listed in the item description. Our sweaters are knit in standard American sizes, however actual measurements vary by style.
BUST / CHEST
Measure around the fullest part of chest under the arms and over the shoulder blades keeping the tape measure level.
WAIST
Measure around the smallest part of the waist keeping the tape measure comfortably loose. Most garments use the low waist measurement noted below.
LOW WAIST
Measure around the body approximately 1.5" below the natural waist (above). This is the area where most pants and skirts actually fit.
HIPS
Standing with your heels together, measure around the fullest part of the body approx 7"-8" below the waist.
NECK
Measure around the base of the neck keeping the tape measure comfortably loose.
SLEEVE
Bend elbow slightly and starting at the center back of the neck, measure across the shoulder, to the elbow and down to the wrist.
INSEAM
Our standard inseam length for women is 32" and 34" for men; however inseam measurements will vary slightly by style.
Belts with buckles are measured in inches that correspond to a waist size however, most people do not wear belts on the waist, they wear them closer to the hips. A buckle belt measurement is take from the end of the "pin" of the buckle to the middle hole on the belt. Generally there are 5 holes for size adjustment, with a 1" space between each, so the middle hole will the be average size of the belt.
For at tie belt (no buckle) measure the belt portion end to end and half of the tie portion. This again is the medium size of the belt.
For a soft fabric tie belt it can be called "1 size fits most" and the entire length of the belt should be measured and listed.
See buckle/tie belt size standards below.
WOMEN
S
M
L
XL
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
inches
26 - 30
28 - 32
31 - 35
34 - 38
38 - 42
cm
76 - 86
81.5 - 91.5
86.5 - 96.5
91.5 - 101.5
96.5 - 106.5
+/- tolerance: 0.5 inches or 1.25 cm
MEN
S
M
L
XL
XXL
inches
30 - 34
32 - 36
35 - 39
39 - 43
43 - 47
cm
81.5 - 91.5
86.5 - 96.5
91.5 - 101.5
96.5 - 106.5
109 - 119
+/- tolerance: 0.5 inches or 1.25 cm
Sash tie length
Lay sash/tie out flat away from the garment and measure from end to end.
Belt with buckle
Measure from the end of the pin of the buckle (where it touches the buckle) to the middle hole.
Belt without buckle
Measure from the belt portion end to end and half of the tie portion. This is will give you the medium size of the belt.
Download our printable ring sizing chart to find the perfect fit!
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