I will not be one of the recipients of your offerings at the swap but, without doing a poll of every participant, I don't know how you are going to find out the universal receptivity of your plants. (I am often looking for the chance to use the word, "receptivity" ! ;o) For one thing, not everyone will want what everyone else is making available. Simple as that . . . Now others may say, "Don't you dare bring any of those newspaper pots around here!!" Since this question comes up in my thinking now and then, periodically, I go thru some information on newspaper ink. I did a quick read of 2 issues: use of newsprint in #1. composting, #2. livestock bedding. Here's what Ohio State University says about newsprint (it is linked below): "Most of these pigments are the same as those used in tattoos, lipstick, hair coloring and other cosmetics. . . Cornell University researchers fed pelletized newspaper at rates of up to 10 percent of the total diet to dairy cows and found no significant risk to human or bovine health. . . Printed matter from advertising inserts, catalogs and magazines, however, is not subject to the same voluntary controls of ink quality. Unregulated paper products for bedding of animals that provide meat and milk should be used with caution." Here is what Washington State University says about worm composting (kind of a combination of the bedding issue and composting): "You don't need to worry about newspaper ink, even on colored sheets, since toxic heavy metals are no longer used in the ink." So, that's just to start you off. Steve They don't know what it is like to read a newspaper and get ink on your fingers. They don't know what it is like to take your shoes off and wiggle your toes under the dinner table. ~ Carlos Santana Here is a link that might be useful: Myths About Using Newspaper Bedding for Livestock

Well, it wasn't necessarily the cartridge. After many repeated paper jams, the thing died. STINKERS, I'm only half way thru the job. Now I have to pay to get the rest printed somewhere and then buy a new printer. DH ran out and luckily got the the ink store right before they were locking the door! So a new ink, no printer. What luck :( Thank goodness we have a little independant print shop right around the corner. I can run over tomorrow AM and print it out myself. Still, the entire venture has eaten all the profits of the job. GGG

I missed this show. Sometimes I feel like Mary is on there too much, but this project looks interesting. I threw out my cheap black paper pad...the edges fade so quickly! I like to use Canson pastel paper from the art supply aisle. It is more "toothy" but the colors don't fade for years.

I'll say purple - it's the colour of royalty and power. It was a colour that was difficult and expensive to reproduce and so only the wealthy could use it. I think the colour came from the secretion of the slug/snail - mmmm now that I can't remember. (The silly high school lessons that stick with you). That may or may not be the right answer! :)