Dung money

Asian elephants in Sri Lanka are being often killed not for their tusks, meat or hide, but rather because they interfere with local agriculture. Mr. Ellie Pooh hopes to help raise Sri Lankan farmers’ tolerance for elephants by turning them into a cash cow. The company employs local artisans to transform elephant dung into paper using a mix of 50 percent post-consumer paper and 50 percent raw plant cellulose extracted from elephant waste.

“We wanted to branch out and offer more products,” said artist and Peculiar Perspectives co-owner Matt Mulford. “I have been producing art on Mr. Ellie Pooh paper for several years, and it’s a pleasure to be able to introduce it to area artists and paper lovers in general.”

According to Mr. Ellie Pooh’s website, paper made from 100 percent recycled content uses 44 percent less energy and produces 38 percent less greenhouse gas emissions and 49 percent less solid waste. No toxic chemicals are used in Mr. Ellie Pooh’s paper making process, and all of its papers are handmade, acid free, and organic.

Mr. Ellie Pooh operates under the World Fair Trade Organization’s 10 principles of fair trade, which most notably includes creating opportunities for economically disadvantaged producers, commitment to non-discrimination, ensuring good working conditions and respect for the environment.

Aside from being drawn to its conservation aspects, Mulford also favors the texture of the paper. He said that it works well for pen and ink art and block printing. Mr. Ellie Pooh sketchbooks, notebooks, paper packs, and stationary sets at the shop are priced between $7 and $18.

Peculiar Perspectives

11 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday; noon-5 p.m. Sunday; closed Monday-Tuesday

107 S. Putnam St. (upstairs in Keller’s Plaza), Williamston

(517) 485-6277, facebook.com/peculiarperspectives