In January, I was called on by the Guild of Book Workers Northwest Chapter to help out with a weathergrams exchange project. My curiosity was peaked. What on Earth was a weathergram? And why would anyone exchange it??

The project meeting was super informative. As it turns out, Weathergrams started in the calligraphy community and, with calligraphy being a bit book-adjacent, eventually made it to our world.

But I’m getting ahead of myself…

What is a Weathergram?

weathergrams exchange on white paper hanging from a lilac bush

A fellow by the name of Lloyd J. Reynolds founded the Portland Society for Calligraphy in 1949. He developed weathergrams as a way for his students to share their work with others.

At it’s simplest, a Weathergram is a piece of paper with a short verse written on it. This verse can be a quote, a piece of poetry or a thought (to name a few!). A string is attached at the top of the paper so the Weathergram can be hung outdoors in the elements and be allowed to biodegrade.

During my own research for this project, one member told me how a bird would tear away strips of her weathergram for use in a nest! How cool this that?

Why exchange weathergrams?

As it turns out, there are a couple really good reasons to create and exchange weathergrams: recycling & positivity.

Weathergrams are a neat way to use up old scraps of paper while sharing something interesting and thoughtful with the world. As people walk by, they can read the weathergram and take their own meaning from it. It’s a delightful way to bring a community together during hard times.

And folks, let me tell you, these days – they’re hard times.

How do you make a weathergram?

That, my friends, is what I’m here to share with you!

Making a weathergram is incredibly easy. There are only three steps involved and the sky’s the limit when it comes to the materials chosen and what’s written. Just keep one thing in mind: all materials should be biodegradable so as to enhance (not hurt) the environment. Messages should be short and concise – 10 words or less if you can – so as to convey a message without getting overly verbose.

Step 1: Choose and write a verse

I decided to pull out my ol’ 1940’s typewriter for this one. I paraphrased a verse from an anime I watched a few months ago that really hit me in the feels. Here’s what it looked like all typed up (you should see how many times I had to start over – lol – typerwriters are unforgiving little machines):

typewriter verse on a piece of of organic paper for a weathergram on wood background

Step 2: Choose more materials (if needed) & layout a design

I dug through my scraps drawer for these pieces. The white piece is a heavy mulberry paper embossed with stones. The shapes made me think of microbes or some sort of disease. Stay with me – there’s a reason for this.

Next, I chose a red marbled handmade paper to go underneath the heavy mulberry so the red can shine through. I love how red can symbolize both love and hate. To me, that’s what this verse is all about.

I layered the red under the mulberry with the verse on top. Love and hate are both sides of the same coin that can spread rampantly for better or worse.

What do you see when looking at these layered pieces?

red marbled handmade strip of paper next to heavy mulberry stone embossed paper with a short typewritten verse overlayed at the center on a wood background
red marbled handmade paper layered underneath a strip of heavy mulberry paper embossed with stones layered under a typewritten verse on white paper

Step 3: Punch a hole & add string

To finish up the weathergram, all you’ll need to do is punch a hole and add string. Since this will be hung outdoors, make sure the hole is far enough down to avoid ripping away from the string. Hole punching can be completed with a hole punch tool, Japanese screw punch or awl. Just be sure to use a self healing mat or other protective surface to keep your table safe.

Feel free to use jute twine, natural hemp cord or any other environmentally friendly material that compliments your design.

Here is my hubby modeling the process for us:

measuring for hole placement on the layered weathergram pieces on a purple self healing cutting mat
punch a hole in the weathergram layers using a screw punch or awl and be sure to press hard
punch a hole in the weathergram layers using a japanese screw punch, awl or other pointy device
weave a string through the hole using jute twine cord or string
tie one end of the jute twine cord or string on the weathergram for easy hanging

Admire your new weathergrams

You can make as many weathergrams as you like. Here are a few I created for the exchange project:

completed weathergrams by papercraftpanda layered on top of one another on a wood background

Exchange your Weathergrams with others

After sending mine out, I received these beautiful weathergrams in exchange (4 in total) and hung them in various places outside. I have a trail that runs right next to my house, so I was sure to hang three of them there for anyone (and their pets or kids) who walked by!

weathergram with white paper hanging on a tree
kraft paper weathergram hanging from a small bush
weathergram hanging on a bush

I’ll leave these out starting today (Earth Day 2025) for several weeks or until they biodegrade or are stolen by cute little birds who need nesting materials.

I hope you’ll make a few of these and consider participating in next year’s exchange! If you’re interested, be sure to join my email list as I will notify everyone next year when the exchange opens up again.

Learn more about Weathergrams

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Thank you for taking me along on your book making journey!

Misty