Pergamena

05/29/2026

I was saddened today to learn from my friends in Bergama Turkey of the passing of Ismael Araç, the last of Turkey’s Karatabak (black/bark tanners) and for many years, the last parchment maker in Turkey. If my math is correct, he was 95.

I was fortunate enough to meet him when I was invited to Turkey in 2013. Turkey was hosting a UNESCO World Heritage Conference, highlighting the contribution of parchment, which was first mass produced in Bergama thousands of years ago, to human civilization. Of course Master Ismael had a starring role.

Here is a picture of Kenji Yagi, a parchment scholar from Japan who helped put the conference together, along with Ismael’s apprentices Demet (L) and Nesrin (R), giving a demonstration at Ismael’s workshop during the conference. I am grateful to call them friends.

I was also fortunate to be invited back to Bergama last year for non-governmental parchment related project and was almost accidentally put back in touch with my friend Nesrin, who happened to be in Bergama for a visit. Not only was it wonderful to catch up with her, but she also helped arrange another visit with Ismael, who I was amazed to find out, was still alive. We sat in one of the covered markets in Bergama and had tea while Nesrin kindly translated conversation between Master Ismael and I so we could talk shop. It was a memorable visit and I was grateful to see him again, still sharp and up and around. During this recent visit, I also met at least 3 other former apprentices of Ismael’s, who now operate their own parchment making shops. He single handedly revived the craft in Turkey.

Given that parchment making is a skilled craft, I also wanted to make sure to record our “tools” for posterity.

Thank you Ismael. Rest in peace.

05/21/2026

Explore the world of Parchment and Vellum. To learn more about the vast possibilities when using this historic and sustainable material check out our Parchment 101 kit.
Link in bio and also available .

05/19/2026

✈️ 🚊 and —like normal— a couple of Automobiles.
Pergamena is on the move today! Jesse is off flying to a conference and I —Liv— am on a train city bound to drop of some farm traceable leather to our friends, !!! And well, the rest of the crew drove in like normal. Check back throughout the day as I post about my min city adventure.

05/14/2026

04/30/2026

Transparent Goat, just one of the samples to explore in our historic material library.
Do you know what transparent parchment was historically used for? Let us know in the comments. And send us a DM if you’re interested in our historic material library or our transparent goat.
A huge thank you to Kyle and the team at for making this beautiful custom die for us. They are super helpful and do wonderful work. We will be ordering more dies from them soon!

04/29/2026

World Leather Day 2026
At our tannery we don’t shy away from talking about our job; you know the part before it is leather. Because we know that veg tanned leather is a beneficial part of sustainable holistic farm and food systems.
We feel compelled to talk about the beginning because this is where our family tannery makes the difference, not just in the quality of our product, but the future of our entire world.
By working closely with our suppliers, we are ensuring that even before you start drafting your next project we are already thinking about it. A lot goes on behind the scenes to ensure that what you are getting is not just a beautiful material, but one that is sustainable, of the highest quality, and unique. Because cutting it thin and covering it in plastic doesn’t show genuine care or respect, we handcrafted each skin and hide to bring out its natural beauty and enhance its individual character.

04/23/2026

Just because Earth day is over, doesn’t mean we are done talking about it. The idea of “Reuse, Repair and Repurpose” is ingrained into my soul.
Our travel frame —The one that we take with us to workshops to show how stretching works— was in much need of some TLC. So instead of building a new one, I spent some time repairing ours. Some sanding, new hinges and fresh rope and it will be ready to hit the road once again! Send us a DM if you want more info on Pergamena’s workshops.

04/22/2026

I adore animals and the planet, so how does that balance with the job I do? For me —a former vegan— I have come over time to really appreciate a holistic approach to farming and being a steward of the land. This includes not taking anything for granted and following intentional nose to tail practices. Our hides are either from small farms and hunters or are “waste” products of the dairy and meat industry in America. Absolutely no animal that we work with is killed just for their skin. Progress in this area needs to be made. The cruelty of factory farming —to animals, humans and the planet— along with the fact that the majority of hides are thrown away in America, are just two examples of how we are not being responsible stewards of life on so many levels. We need to change that. I believe I have a moral obligation to help change this. So while I do eat meat now, I feel like the way I have incorporated meat into my life honors the goal I had when I was a vegan of honoring life and the planet.
By finding small farms who are true stewards of life and connecting them to the artists and makers near them, we can help provide some financial stability and create stronger communities all through sustainable practices. As a world, we need to learn to take less, give more and make art with the rest. Sending love and light. FULL TEXT IN COMMENTS

04/21/2026

*AVAILABLE NOW* In honor of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Pergamena is thrilled to offer these stunning facsimiles Of the Declaration of Independence.
Each declaration begins much like the original did with parchment, these are traditionally handcrafted by Jesse Meyer, a living relative of John Adams, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. The hides are sent to Brooklyn, NY to be printed in small batches. The original Declaration was signed in Philadelphia. But, it’s said that while Philly might have signed the “document in ink, Brooklyn signed it in blood.” The first battle after the Declaration was signed was fought in Brooklyn, not far from where these are printed. Our printed text is based on a replica of the engraved version of the Declaration that was commissioned as a gift by John Quincy Adams in 1820 in recognition of the United States of America’s 50th Anniversary. These true to size prints are each 30’’ tall and 24’’ wide, making these Declarations a stunning gift or memento in honor of America’s 250th anniversary. Each Declaration is one of a kind.
https://www.pergamena.net/historic-documents

04/20/2026

*AVAILABLE NOW* In honor of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Pergamena is thrilled to offer these stunning facsimiles.
Each declaration begins much like the original did with parchment, these are traditionally handcrafted by Jesse Meyer, a living relative of John Adams, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. The hides are sent to Brooklyn, NY to be printed in small batches. The original Declaration was signed in Philadelphia. But, it’s said that while Philly might have signed the “document in ink, Brooklyn signed it in blood.” The first battle after the Declaration was signed was fought in Brooklyn, not far from where these are printed. Our printed text is based on a replica of the engraved version of the Declaration that was commissioned as a gift by John Quincy Adams in 1820 in recognition of the United States of America’s 50th Anniversary. These true to size prints are each 30’’ tall and 24’’ wide, making these Declarations a stunning gift or memento in honor of America’s 250th anniversary. Each Declaration is one of a kind.
https://www.pergamena.net/historic-documents/declaration-of-independence