Paper Crafts: The Origins of Ephemera and Reuse
Crafting for Community
✮
Crafting for Community ✮
Not all ripped paper is lost.
When many people think of paper craft it often involves ornate or special paper, curated stickers, and fancy pens. While this is a portion of paper craft, there is more depth to the medium that is not depicted by many because it is not considered as aesthetic.
The word ephemera, describes paper items intended for short term use that have become nostalgic memorabilia. You can still find many of these items in use today like tickets, postcards, ad/sale clippings, and various legal documents. Though you often have to inquire about receiving the paper version, it is still free of charge. If you want the vintage look, then you can find ephemera in thrift and vintage stores. Depending on the size of the ephemera piece it could come in bulk in a bag or be sold by the piece. You can often find ephemera near children’s toys or collectible areas.
Pressed Paper
You can make your own paper at home quite easily by blending different papers with water, straining it over a wire grid and pressing the pieces dry between towels. Many people get ‘fancy’ with these methods by adding additional things to the mix or frame. Glitter can add sparkle to the paper while the addition of dyes or plants (colorful flowers, plants, or teas) can add color. Finally, you can also arrange items on the wire before straining your paper blend over it. This could include pressed flowers or a photo. This is a great craft if you find an old blender at the thrift store or estate sale for cheap.
Photo: @nettzami on Pinterest
Card Making
Card making is relatively inexpensive too when broken down, though you may want good handwriting as well. You can use printer paper or buy blank cardstock in bulk. You want to choose one center of attention for the card to make it more polished, either the center message/design or the border/details. This prevents the card from becoming too crowded or seeming too blank. If you have the time, I suggest making light grid markings on your card to position everything in your mind as you make the design.
If you have a large enough screen (technology), you can turn up the brightness and use the photo or inspiration on the screen as a light box. Place your paper on top of your screen and make sure you can see the design through the paper and trace it.
Photo: @lenu0 on Pinterest
Scrapbooking
Although scrapbooking is usually associated with idea boards, drafting, and aesthetic curation. The concept can still be used to make designs on the page. Bold designs and shapes are easier to cut out and you can add extra details with pencil, pen, or marker. This photo also utilizes a cut-out style that can be used to remove letters or photos from magazines. Then they can be pasted and layered to create your desired look.
Photo: @SophxCass on Pinterest
These paper crafts can be as simple or as complicated as you make them to be. Paste a few cutouts from a magazine on a page or make your own paper and cut out designs to be pasted on another page of homemade paper!
Pinterest Search Terms
Simple cards (add any color, theme, or occasion specifications) (ex: pastel spring card)
DIY Paper
Wire Frame
Bold Designs (these are easier to translate into cut-outs and tracing)