European Papers

Absolutely one of the things I miss the most about living in Columbus.
Lisa always had incredible workshops for artists of all skill sets and she also offered a rich array of tools, materials, and papers.
As an educator, she is incredibly patient and supportive of all learners.

Definitely a mixed bag. To their credit, they had a good stock of bookmaking supplies including book board, waxed thread, pre-​cut papers, etc. Also, some very pretty papers and pressed flowers. Also interesting location in a carriage house.
In the end though, it’s a matter of taste. This place simply was not my style. There was a faux-​vintage feel to most of the materials, which I associate with old ladies. Some of the faux-​vintage materials were kinda cool, but a little too overpriced for my taste. In fact, everything was just a little too pricey for me, if you know what I mean.
Also, I think it’s awkward to have a shop and workspace in the same area, and no one person dedicated to customer service. It made me feel like I was disturbing the workers when I needed to check out. I know might be better space-​wise, but not customer-​service wise. They gave me a basket to put things in, but the basket had no handles and was thus unwieldy to hold.
The street signage is terrible. The sign is very small and in a curly font. The font might be ok if it were uh, large. I nearly missed it, and I had my GPS telling me where to go. Also, the shop is in a carriage house behind someone’s house. While there is separate parking for it, I have no idea how to get to it.
I don’t think I’ll go back. There are better supplies to be found online and for better prices.

It is hard to categorize this eclectic little shop tucked off of Town Street in a Carriage house behind a big Old Town East mansion. If you are familiar with this part of town, it’s just across the street from Kappa Kappa Gamma national headquarters.
European Papers is part boutique, part gallery and part studio.
I was first introduced to this place when taking a craft class through Upper Arlington’s Lifelong Learning program. The owner, Lisa Ohmer, taught a unique class for decorating serving utensils, which peaked my interest. Who doesn’t love a bejeweled serving spoon? I registered, found my way to the studio (which is above the store) and had a relaxing Saturday morning art class. Been a huge fan ever since.
The retail shop carries an abundance of collaging, book making and general paper-​art products. This includes all the bits and baubles used in collaging; things like ribbons, charms, wax, seals and other trinkets and curiosities. There is definitely a vintage tone to the products.
You can purchase all this collage stuff for use on your own, or if you register for a class, most of the supplies are included in the price. The 3 hour classes are taught right upstairs in the studio a few times a month. The classes are fun and whimsical, things like book-​making basics, custom-​designed journals or making a clutch purse out of a book. I still use my decorated serving pieces!
Another interesting aspect of this little shop is its gallery, called the Columbus Center for Paper & Book Arts (CCPBA). Here you’ll find changing exhibitions of paper art. I saw a very cool, specialized exhibit of ATC (Artist Trading Cards) and another by the Miniature Book Society. The current exhibition, called «Playing with a Full Deck,» features reproduction 18^th century French playing cards altered by artists.