Christmas is coming!! Making Nepalese lokta paper pop-up Christmas Cards at the Leeds Summat Event

Last Saturday, AURA QUE was part of the Leeds SUMMAT Gathering 2011 at the Leeds University Union.  The event was an all-age gathering for 1000+ people from all walks of life across Leeds and the north to explore the big issues of our time.  There were workshops about political/environmental/social issues with headline speakers, plus performances, activities and stalls - lots going on!

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Here is a youtube clip of the opening event at the Leeds Summat 2011, with Harry Gration from BBC Look North: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mItA8O5N8Fw&feature=youtu.be

AURA QUE had a stall of our fair trade bags and accessories in the market area, but we were also involved in a workshop in the Art Zone.  My sister Elspeth led a workshop making pop-up christmas cards, inspired by the Nepali designs that my paper producer makes in Bhaktapur.

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The local kids made pop-up christmas trees decorated with glitter and stars, backed onto the Nepali handmade lokta paper card base.  Here are a sample of some the cards they made!

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In Nepal, the producers who make the handmade Lokta paper, use this material for various products. For more information on the making process of this paper, please see the AURA QUE 'process' section of our website or a previous blog post: http://auraque.posterous.com/making-paper-on-the-roof-top-in-bhaktapur

AURA QUE currently uses the Nepalese Lokta paper for stationary, swing tickets, business cards, gift bags and notebooks, where I can.  But they also produce beautiful pop up christmas cards (shown below) which are sold at the Holmfirth Fair Traders Cooperative:

http://www.thefairtraderscooperative.co.uk/

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AURA QUE

AURA QUE

Website: www.auraque.com
Online Boutique: http://shop.auraque.com
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/auraque

AURA QUE creates a range of stylish contemporary accessories manufactured by the Nepal Fair Trade Group to increase ethical production in the developing country of Nepal.

Each AURA QUE design is brought to life in a Nepalese factory that employs local people affected by disabilities, providing an income for themselves and their families according to fair trade principles.
Designer Laura Queening incorporates local materials wherever possible, such as Allo hemp produced from a Himalayan plant, handmade brass fittings, natural textured Lokta paper and the traditional woven cloth.

AURA QUE products use high quality 100% Buffalo leather that is a by-product of the food industry. AURA QUE products are individually hand crafted in Nepal, which may result in slight variations. The unique story behind each AURA QUE product enhances its charm!

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