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Nestled in the foothills of the Magaliesberg Mountains is a treasure trove of ingenuity, where sleepy rondavels secreted in tranquil gardens belie the hive of creative activity that is Paper World
Family owned and run, Paper World was established in 1998 in response to the demand for paper products at a time when the word 'Scrapbooking' was not yet part of the lingua franca.
Initial response to these handcrafted products was so positive that it was decided to also offer the very papers from which the tremendously popular boxes, frames and journals were fashioned. Arts & Crafts began to enjoy a long-overdue renaissance and South Africa was waking up to the infinite creative possibilities of paper.
From small beginnings, Paper World has grown to be a leading supplier of specialty papers and accessories to the craft trade and the general public. With more than a thousand papers, embellishments and craft tools in stock, the inventory changes all the time and exciting new lines are added every week.
At its headquarters near Pretoria the company prides itself on offering job opportunities and on-site training and skills development to a staff complement of forty, and in addition to the vast catalogue of papers it supplies, Paper World's dedicated team also produces handcrafted wedding stationery, photo albums, gift boxes, journals, scrapbooks and notebooks, gift bags, bespoke menus, recipe books and an ever-changing range of new and exciting items from its factory in the bushveld.
But what gives Paper World the greatest pleasure is the fact that the company has inspired the average individual to get creative. In doing so, thousands of people across South Africa have not only found fulfilment and a new passion, but many have also turned what was formerly a hobby into a thriving cottage industry and a lucrative revenue stream.
In addition to its Pretoria showroom Paper World operates a satellite office in Edenvale, Johannesburg, and is a regular exhibitor at key trade fairs and craft conventions, both at home and abroad.
Paper World also works closely with the North West Province as a role-player in showcasing the province at import/export initiatives, and in 2009 Paper World is set to become a veritable Mecca of creativity, with workshops and courses being offered from a purpose-built studio at its headquarters.
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