June 21, 2005

To the Letter

Ji Paperie

Apparently chivalry isn’t all that’s dead.

You’ve been too busy opening your own doors, skipping over muddy puddles, and driving yourself from meeting to meeting to notice that good old-fashioned letter writing is on life support.

Luckily, Ji Paperie is working to save the art of the communiqué. Several times a month they host artists and professors who teach small groups nearly forgotten skills like quilling, binding, card-making, and creative gift-wrapping. Bring in fabrics, pictures, or bric-a-brac, and the experts will work with you to create personal stationery, wedding invites, journals, guest books, and photo albums.

The unassuming shop also carries writing paper and greeting cards galore, as well as rarities such as Thai rice papers, screen-printed washi from Japan, and embroidered Indian stationeries.

And if you still need guidance once you have pen and paper in hand, the store’s website has an etiquette section full of tips to keep you on course.

With all this help, letter writing should be revived in no time.

Hopefully your knight in shining armor won’t be too far behind.

Ji Paperie, 1422 Cabrillo Avenue, between Torrance Boulevard and Carson Street, Torrance (310-533-0656 or jipaperie.com).