Simply Samui Co Ltd –Recycled Eco Friendly, Sustainable Saa Paper Products Saa paper is made from the bark of the young Mulberry tree branches
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Saa paper has been made by hand in the North of Thailand for over 700 years from the bark of the local Saa tree (Broussonetia Papyrifera Vent).
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Traditionally the paper has been used for Buddhist scripts, temple decorations at festival times, umbrellas, fans and kite making. In former times it was used as a filter in the manufacture of lacquer ware. Today it is also used for a wide variety of domestic and industrial purposes including Simply Samui’s gift boxes, bags, gift tags, Christmas cards, photo albums, notebooks, hats, housewares,plus paper towels in hospitals, wrapping and gift paper, wallpaper, lampshades, bookmarks and greetings cards.
Gathering the raw material
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The largest concentration of Saa trees are to be found deep in the forests of North Thailand where the bark is collected by villagers and hilltribe people. It can be difficult to access these areas, particularly with the heavy equipment needed to steam the bark off the freshly cut branches. It takes a full day for one person to harvest just five kilos of good quality washed and dried bark.
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The Saa tree is a fast growing variety. The tree is coppiced and the bark is stripped from the saplings and dried. The smallest branches of 1-3 inches thickness produce the best quality bark. Once cut these are quickly replenished and can be cut again the following year, while the tree itself lives its natural course. Obtained in this way from renewable sources, Saa paper is considered to be an environmentally friendly product.
Hand made paper making
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Thai Government sponsored bodies have been set up to advise on Saa tree husbandry and these are actively engaged in encouraging and training local people in the skills of collection, preservation and quality control.
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This is not a big industry. About 1500 people in about 60 family units are employed in papermaking in North of Thailand. Simply Samui employs about 60 of those people and is looking for more to train this traditional skill.
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During the rainy season (June to October) sourcing of the raw material is low and so too is handmade paper-making itself, since the paper has to be dried in the sun. At other times a family of five working at full capacity will use only about 10 kilos of dry bark a day.
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The paper-making process has changed little over the centuries. The men begin the process when the bark is first boiled in big open cauldrons over a naked flame to soften the fibre. This is hot and dirty work. It is then left to cool and soak overnight before the water is changed and the fibre washed many times. Vegetable Dies are added if necessary and the fibre is beaten to a pulp.
Hand made paper making
Saa soaked fibre then rubbed over frames
Rubbing the fibre on frames over water
Hand made paper making
Mixing vegetable dye to colour
Soaking the frames in vegetable dye
Hand made paper making
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The paper itself forms naturally on the frames, which are placed in the sun to dry, before being peeled from the screens in one metre sheets.
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The production of handmade paper by this method is, of course, time consuming and expensive relative to paper that is mass produced in factories. But we think you will agree with us that Simply Samui’s Exclusive handmade paper has an incomparable, natural, aesthetic beauty that is worth paying a little extra for and that this is an art that is well worth supporting and developing.
Making Saa Paper Products
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One of the biggest producers of Saa paper in the world is Japan. The Japanese buy large quantities of the raw material and also the paper from Thailand and use it to make a variety of specialty products for home consumption and export. A small supply resource, together with a large and ready market demand for the basic product has meant that there has been a relatively easy income, little competition and therefore limited incentive for local producers to improve the quality of their output or to invest time and money in learning how to make new and different finished products themselves. The craftspeople within Simply Samui’s team are definitely an exception to this trend. We have invested considerable time and resources in pioneering new production techniques and introducing innovative designs that appeal to different tastes and market needs.
Hand made paper making
Frames drying in the sun
The finished plain sheets, 1 metre square
Exclusive Designs Photography Credits to Ben Foster on Location at www.samuiridgeway.biz
Exclusive Designs Photography Credits to Ben Foster on Location at www.samuiridgeway.biz
Fan and soaps in box
Coconut Detox and slimming set
Saa Paper Items
Christmas Card 2011
Face Rejuvenation Set Box with Soap
Saa Paper Items
50g product box and bag
Foldable waste paper bin
Saa Paper Items
Storage box House wares
Cowboy Hat
Saa Paper Items
Banana leaf bag and boxes
250ml body care set
Batik Painting on Saa Paper
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I had an Idea after snorkeling at The Four Seasons Resort in Maldives in July 2011,with the most colourful and beautiful fishes I have ever seen in the world , to create exotic fishes on gift sets boxes and bags for The Four Seasons Resort,Kuda Huraa ,Republic of Maldives (voted top resort in the world 2011)
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This is our specialism. We were the first people in Thailand to produce the traditional art of batik painting, normally associated with exotic fabrics, on mulberry paper. It truly is work of art and has timeless beauty. Made with love, care and respect for the environment and keeping the local traditional methods of crafts alive in cottage industries.
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Batik Painting on Saa Paper
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Wax is melted down. Using special batik tools called djantings or batik brushes, wax is then delicately applied in various designs on the Saa paper.
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When the wax is dried, the inlaid designs are then painted with various colours. The wax acts as a divide to control the flow of dye.
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The painted paper is hung up to dry. When dry the wax is removed leaving just the painted paper.
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This batik paper is then used as a covering for various gift boxes and stationery items which have been constructed out of cardboard paper.
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The complete process takes 4 weeks from start to finish of an exquisite Saa paper creation, made with love ,care and respect for our environment .
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Its all part of Simply Samui’s concept of ‘Green Eco Products”, Environmentally Friendly, Sustainable, Traditionally made by local crafts people and above all exclusive and a timepiece.
The Team in Chang Mai,North Thailand
Team leader Khun Noi and Shelagh at one of the cottage industry houses
Khun Pet making box bases
The Team in Chang Mai,North Thailand
Khun Noi with finished folder
Khun Pat & Pla making the gift books
The Team in Chang Mai,North Thailand
Shelagh with Khun Jack, Hats and Homewares Team Leader
Shelagh with Khun Aiet,Umbrella Team Leader
News flash
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We have recently suffered a lot of lost homes, belongings and all our Christmas Saa Paper stock in Chang Mai, after the recent flooding in October /November 2011.
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I am sure you have seen the pictures on National news. There is no clean water to wash in so a lot of infections are bourne, Food supply has also been affected.
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Families have lost all they possess. So any donations can be paid direct to my team of villagers ,via my team leader there and would be greatly appreciated. Just contact me by email: shelagh@simplysamui.com and I will send you the bank details.
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The Thai people are very strong and even after this national disaster keep smiling !!
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If you would like to know anything else about Saa Paper please email me . If you would like to join any workshops that I am setting up in 2012 to support our local crafts and villagers and would like to learn the Saa making process ,or you are interested in an internship programme let me know!!! Support out traditional crafts as it is a decreasing industry that we need to keep alive. If you would like to know anything else about Saa Paper please email me on : shelagh@simplysamui.com
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Workshops and Thank you
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If you would like to join any workshops that I am
setting up in 2012 to support our local crafts and villagers and would like to learn the Saa making process If you are interested in an internship ,let me know!!! I have one university student from Thailand ,starting March 2012 with Simply Samui Spa Products.
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Support out traditional crafts as it is a decreasing industry that we need to keep alive.
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Thanks ,Love and Light , Shelagh
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All designs are created by Shelagh and have copyright Shelagh Foster (Founder and MD) Simply Samui Co Ltd www.simplysamui.com Tel no +66810896316