The Pear in Paper – Irish, Handcrafted, Eco Friendly Christmas Cards and Stationery
One Donegal business is helping people share the spirit of Christmas with friends and family all over the world with its unique Christmas cards and stationery. Located in the Donegal Craft Village in Donegal Town, The Pear in Paper is an award-winning letterpress and lino-print workshop, set up by Lynn Costello Erskine in 2015, when she was on maternity leave with her first child.
“I was always making things” says Lynn, “but my educational path took me in a different direction; I studied Environmental Management and loved the course and everything that it taught me about our environment. By doing the course, I became so aware of the impact society was having on the environment, so it greatly shaped the ethos of my business. I knew whatever I did had to be eco-friendly.”
“I realised that I wanted to have my own business and be creative every day” says Lynn, “so I decided it was the right time to pursue my dream. From the outset, I wanted it all to be as environmentally friendly as possible, right down to the way I print; my card was made from recycled material and all packaging was compostable.”
Lynn started with lino printing, something she had never done before: “I learned how to do it on the internet, and it developed from there. I applied for a Priming Grant with Donegal Local Enterprise Office, which really helped me bring the business to the next level. I acquired a letterpress, which I call Florrie, which uses no motor or electricity – each piece is created with slow, deliberate execution. Every day, the smell of ink, the whizz of the fly wheel, the 'ding' as the rollers ink the plate are little reminders of why I love what I do.”
“Christmas cards are more important than ever this year” says Lynn “particularly when so many of us won’t get home in person this year – people want to send their thoughts and well wishes across the miles after what’s been a tough year for so many people!”