Did you know that paper is the traditional first anniversary gift? It’s supposed to symbolise modest beginnings, newness and simplicity which is what the first year of marriage is like (or so I hear). I like the idea of a paper gift; some of my favourite gifts have been things like heartfelt, handwritten letters, tickets to a show and books.
Despite its simplicity, paper can be magical, as these beautiful quilled earrings show.
This jewellery by Emily Haworth (By Beep) is so, so, cool. Made from paper, felt, chipboard and metal, she has re-imagined things like accordions and rocketships and turned them into objects of fantastical wonder.
1. The accordion necklace.
2. Sailboat necklace with anchor.
3. Paper bead layered necklace.
4. Merry-Go-Round horse.
5. The airplane necklace.
Got a first wedding anniversary coming up? I think any of these pieces by Malena Valcarcel would make a beautiful gift. And talk about a statement necklace (second pic) – how amazing is that!
1. Paper Flowers – Origami Kusudama Ornament.
2. Necklace made of book pages.
3. Altered book necklace.
I like the fact that paper isn’t just resigned to the sending of letters or the display of art. Clever designers can transform it into something pretty and wearable like these papier mache bangles from Kukula Designs. I think paper jewellery is the next to-buy item on my list.
#1 – Poppy by Kukula Designs
#2 – Mustard by Kukula Designs
#3 – Salsa by Kukula Designs
I’ve said it many times before, it’s amazing what artists can do with paper. These rings are pretty spectacular, don’t you think?
#1 – Jubaku-Spellbound by Jeremy May.
#2 – Garden by Ana Hagopian.
#3 – Fine White Paper Yarn Ring by PaperPhine.
#4 – Origami paper ring by Zakka Life.
#5 – Disperse paper – silver ring by Saloukee.
You know, I tried my hand at paper quilling a couple of years ago and it was really fun but incredibly time consuming so I have nothing but the deepest respect for artists who do it and do it well. Like Cloud Tree Paper Craft.
(Image credit: Cloud Tree Paper Craft)
Paper jewellery fascinates me. It’s amazing to see what talented artists can create with scraps of paper. I found the work of Nel Linssen today and I’m astounded by its precision. It’s truly amazing.
Here’s what Dutch artist Nel says about her work…
“In the development of my ideas the use of paper as a means of expressing myself was an obvious choice. As a material, it possesses a lot of qualities that come in useful to me. Moreover, the tactile qualities of paper are important in connection with wearable objects.”
(Image credit: Nel Linssen)
I love seeing paper incorporated into jewellery. This sweet little piece is from a new Etsy shop on the block called Iloveyoulikeyou by Natalie Diaz and I’m pretty much in lovelike with it 😀
“Each heart was “Hand Selected” for this Vintage Inspired necklace. It is a One-Of-A-Kind in its own right for I spent lots of time choosing each picture and word phrases from various books such as World History, Othello, and even the Dictionary.” – Natalie Diaz.
(Image credit: Iloveyoulikeyou)
