Pretty paper.

Do you enjoy journal writing or mailing notes to family and friends but worry about your paper use? Need a good place to organize your daily notes and thoughts? Consider Trumansburg, New York-based Acorn Designs, which makes beautiful stationery imprinted with striking images from nature and produced using a blend of kenaf fiber and post- and pre-consumer recycled paper. Kenaf is a 4,000-year-old crop from the hibiscus family that has roots in ancient Africa. Kenaf produces substantially higher fiber yields than trees yet requires fewer fertilizers and pesticides. And because the fibers are lightly colored, they do not need to be bleached during processing, making it a popular choice among eco-advocates.

Acorn Designs' distinctive products include bookmarks (70 cents), notepads ($4.50), journals and notecards, which come in packs of six wrapped in biodegradable cellophane ($7.50). Journals are spiral bound, contain 70 unlined sheets and come in seven different colors and two sizes ($10.95 for pocket sizes and $13.50 for larger sizes). Both the notecards and journals come with detailed explanations of the plant or animal pictured, making them educational as well as beautiful and functional. CONTACT: Acorn Designs, [phone], www. acorndesigns.org.