As artists who work on paper and are interested in handmade paper, Donna and I are part of a long-standing American tradition. But as book artists who make their own paper, and paper that is good enough to letter press print on or run through a copying machines, and in quantities sufficient to print editioned books, and to have made over 160 of those editioned books, we are fairly unique. I was a self-taught papermaker, but that was not because I wanted to be. When I first decided to make paper in the spring of 1974, I didn’t imagine there was anyone else doing it. I was twenty years old, taking a year off from college, and wanted to participate in an outdoor re-enactment of an Elizabethan village market fair called the “Renaissance Pleasure Faire,” To find a role to play I went to the library. There I found Dard Hunter’s Papermaking, The History and Technique of an Ancient Craft, and said to myself, “I will be Peter Papermaker, and teach people how to make paper.” Who would have known my simple wish to show folks how to make paper at a craft fair would develop into a life-long passion.

There were lots of parties at Jeff Frame's house when his parents were out of town. It is appropriate that our reunion will be held at his house. I remember being called over to help replant the yard after one really big party. I hope that doesn't happen again.