These items are handmade by the Women’s Multipurpose Cooperative in Baguio City, Philippines. The artisans turn old newspapers into beautiful new products by wrapping the paper into coils and forming them into spiraled square building blocks. They fasten these blocks together with thread and/or glue to make the products, then starch them to make them hard and shiny. They will stand up to heat and moisture that comes with average use.
The hot mats make great hostess gifts or presents for holiday gift exchanges. They are pretty, practical and a great use of recycled material.