Sep
2
As a child, Nancy amused herself with coloured pieces of construction paper. She collected streetcar transfers, which at the time, were issued in different colours. As she grew up, she started and kept up with, her own newspaper. Books filled her, and she filled books. She was a paper lover. Although she may have not known it then, Nancy’s passion for paper would set the course of her adult life.
In 1975, Nancy did something that was uncommon at that time. Like many of today’s youth, searching for “an experience,” entering their quarter-life crisis, Nancy went to Japan to teach English. She stayed for a year and loved it. Loved it so much that she returned over and over again.
During her visits, Nancy discovered the aesthetic of Japanese paper. She was enthralled. Teaching wasn’t so important anymore. The paper had taken hold.
Nancy’s homestay proved to be of unbelievable good luck. She resided with a student of hers who was a family friend to a major Japanese paper supplier. Could she go and see them and ask about their paper products? Meetings were scheduled and green tea was consumed. Nancy, was entrusted with importing a selection of Japanese papers.
At first, the supplier kept careful watch, somewhat adverse to a woman being in charge of an international venture. Soon however, misgivings were abandoned. To this day, Nancy remains this risk-taking supplier’s major importer.
The first samples of paper arrived by post. Some papers were patterned, but most were natural. All were full of possibilities and potential. Nancy was convinced. Now she had to convince others.
She borrowed her aunt’s “clunker” and started selling the Japanese goods from the trunk of the car. Her first clients included graduates from the Bookbinding program at Sheridan College, Don Taylor and Shelagh Smith. Salma Gandi, [sp?] Nancy’s friend, owned an antique shop on Jarvis street. Over the years, she had become acquainted with poet Barry Callaghan, son of Canadian author Morley Callaghan. Would Barry be interested in buying some papers? Salma set up a meeting between Barry and Nancy on Rosedale Valley Road. There were some limited edition red papers. Barry walked away with the Kiromomi red. It was 1978.
Nancy’s first order was for The Papery on Cumberland Street. She supplied small address books with Japanese paper covers. The books were early examples of what could be done with the paper. A week later, Nancy checked to see if the address books had sold. Her wholesale business had launched.
In the beginning, Nancy lived with her parents in Buttonville, Ontario. She worked a number of jobs before her paper business began to grow. She was an actress and an educator. She worked in medical research and for charitable organizations. She sold paper out of the basement of her parents’ home.
Throughout, Nancy’s family provided encouragement and support. Throughout, Nancy, maintained a positive outlook.
Slowly, She met people who shared her love of paper. Kindred spirits, she’d call them.
Her friend, Liz Akin, had a brother who knew the student crowd at the Ontario College of Art of Design. Finally, it was time to move out of the basement. It was time to set up shop. TO BE CONTINUED….
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