Capture Your Summer Memories in a Glass Paperweight

When my husband and I travel, I always keep an eye out for just the right souvenirs to bring home to family and friends. As you've probably experienced, finding the right mementos can be a challenge because so many souvenir shops are stocked with key chains, magnets, T-shirts, and other kitschy items that lack style and character.

If you're traveling with children, visiting a souvenir shop comes with a special set of challenges. Stuffed animals, puzzles, and other colorful, tempting merchandise are placed right at a child's eye level, making tears and tantrums a very real possibility.

Some of the best travel mementos can't be found in any store.  They may be stuck deep in your jeans pocket, buried in your purse or wallet, or hidden on your digital camera!

You can easily personalize PhotoWeights paperweight kits with tickets, maps, postcards, tokens, pressed pennies, hotel stationery ─ anything you may have collected along the way.  Glass paperweights can also turn a favorite vacation photo into a treasured keepsake.

So when something pulled off a rack or shelf won’t do, create a souvenir paperweight that tells your personal story!  Here are a few designs ideas to show you how.


Using Photographs

Bring life to a favorite vacation snapshot and relive the moment by turning the image into a keepsake paperweight for your desk.  (Shown: Oval Paperweight Kit)

Preserving Small Mementos

We made the shell paperweight pictured above using a photograph as the background, adding text to the image before printing.  We glued the shell directly to the image.  (Shown:  Heirloom Dome Paperweight Kit)

Maps, Tickets, Playbills, Etc.

Look for scraps of printed items you've collected and haven't had the heart to throw away.  This paperweight pairs a New York City MetroCard with a map of the New York City Subway system.  (Shown: Large Rectangle Paperweight Kit)


What's the wildest or wackiest vacation experience you've ever had?  What item do you have from that experience?  Leave your comments below.  We'd love to hear from you!

Create Decorative Photo Mats for Use in Your Paperweight Designs

Creating a photo mat for your paperweight designs is easy.  This post will show you how I made a simple mat out of colored paper.  I'll also explain different variations that will help you achieve a variety of looks.

The purpose of the mat is to offer a decorative border for your photograph while providing an area that may be used to apply decoration, add a small trinket, or feature text.

For this project I used a hole punch that produces a cameo-shaped opening with a scalloped edge (Recollections 1.5", Michaels Stores).  For the mat I used blue scrapbook cardstock.  The 'baby boy' dimensional sticker was part of a set by K&Company (Sweet Pea Little Prince Grand Adhesions).  The paperweight kit style is the Heirloom Rectangle.

The first step is to trace around your paper kit's mounting board onto the paper being used for your mat.  You can use solid color paper, patterned paper, or paper you've printed a design or lettering on.  For example, next to your child or grandchild's school portrait, you can print their name, the date, the name of the school, and the grade they're in.

After you've cut out your photo mat, create the opening for your image with a decorative punch.  These may be purchased at most craft stores.  My local Michaels and JoAnn stores have a fairly large selection.  Martha Stewart Crafts has a number of punches available.  If you don't see these with the other brands, they may displayed with the Martha Stewart Crafts products.

If you don't have a photo that's the right size to fit into the mat's opening, adjust the size of the image on your computer and print it on quality photo paper that resists fading.  The photo should be slightly larger than the opening so you can adhere it to the back of the mat.

Apply a small amount of glue to the reverse side of the photo mat.  You can also use permanent mounting tape for this step.

After the glue has dried, place the mat (with image) onto the adhesive side of the mounting board.

A dimensional sticker (K&Company, Sweet Pea Little Prince Grand Adhesions) was placed in the open area to the right of the photo.  Other design ideas include a photo of baby's first hair cut with a lock of hair displayed on the mat; a photo taken at the beach with a few small seashells; or a wedding photo accompanied by a few pressed flowers.

Once the design was finished, the paperweight was completed by placing the design face-down into the recessed area on the bottom of the paperweight (shown above).  The plush bottom pad was then placed over the base of the paperweight, holding the mounting board in place.

My next design post will include a couple different variations using a photo mat, including designs that feature text and small mementos.

How Do You Display Your Digital Memories?

While I was setting up for a design piece for my blog this morning, and about to recommend a project involving photographs, it occurred to me that we’re not printing pictures the way we did in the past.

Now that film cameras are relics of a bygone era, and everything has gone digital, how do you display the memories you’ve captured in photographs?  How has digital photography changed the way you chronicle your life in pictures?

Collection of Low Profile Skeleton Keys from K&Company

One of the many memories I have of my grandmother's house, a small bungalow just outside Los Angeles, is a collection of decades-old keys that hung in a kitchen cabinet, seemingly forgotten.  Perhaps the only thing they opened was a memory or two - a first car, her childhood home, maybe a key she brought with her from Germany when she was a child.  What I would give for those keys now!

Skeleton keys are among my favorite items to use in my paperweight designs.  Unfortunately, many keys have a profile too deep to fit the interior of several PhotoWeights paperweight styles.  This is why I wanted to share a recent find that offers the look of timeworn keys while providing a low profile and a flat surface that make them easy to adhere to fabric and paper.  The set is called Life's Journey Keys Metal Art (565227) by K&Company.  (UPC 643077565227).

The "Life's Journey" collection includes ten different keys that range from 1.5" to 3.5" long with a thickness of 1/16" - 1/8", depending on the style.  The finishes include aged brass, copper, and steel.  The photo above shows the depth of one of the keys in the collection.

These keys are perfect when displayed alone on scrapbook paper.  You can also use them to create mixed media vignettes for your paperweights.

If you need some inspiration for your paperweight designs, visit a local craft store to see all the different metal art and embellishments available these days.  Bring a paperweight with you to help you envision how items will appear and fit within the display area.

Applying Charms and Accents to the Top Surface of Your Paperweight

I love finding new products to use in my paperweight designs.  The latest is a collection of charms called art-i-cake by Amy Labbe (Distributed by Horizon Group USA, Inc.)  The designs truly capture the look of handcrafted pieces I've seen in magazines featuring mixed media artwork.  The quality is also much higher than many other charms and findings sold in typical craft stores.

Amy Labbe's line of charms (pictured above) includes some pieces thin enough to fit the display area depth of most of our paperweight kits.  Unfortunately, many of the larger, statement pieces are far too big.  The solution?  Think outside the box... or the paperweight.

This idea post is all about taking advantage of the prime real estate on the top surface of your paperweight by applying charms, decorative accents, and other items.

For this project I used the "Sassy Girl" charm (Item AL44251, UPC 765940442517) which came on a card with a cute shoe charm I'll save for another project.  I also used PhotoWeights Oval Paperweight Kit.

I applied a clear urethane glue to the reverse side of the charm (Liquid Fusion).  Choose a maximum strength glue that will bond to glass, as well as the material being glued to the paperweight.

Here's how I applied the charm to the paperweight.  Because the glue will run, I left the charm face-down on my work table.  After cleaning the top surface of the paperweight with glass cleaner,  I slowly positioned the paperweight over the charm and lowered it into place.  Once the glass made full contact with the glue, I carefully turned the paperweight over, made sure the charm was centered, and allowed the glue to dry thoroughly.

After the glue has dried, and your charm is securely bonded to the glass, you can place a photo, decorative paper, fabric, or other material underneath the glass to act as a background.  (Simply use the finishing kit that comes with each paperweight kit.)  You can also leave the paperweight as it is if you prefer the look of the clear glass.

I'm a huge fan of scrapbook paper that's sold by the individual sheet.  Don't be afraid to play with patterns.  In the photo above, I show the paperweight against two very different papers - solid green and a black and tan damask.  As you can see, the result is two very different looks.  This sassy girl paperweight called for something bold!  (Recollections, Black and Tan Damask, 12" x 12" scrapbook paper, Michaels).

I hope this post has given you some new ideas on how to design and finish your paperweights.  If you have any questions, or if you need some help or advise on a particular design dilemma, please don't hesitate to send me an email or leave a comment.  I'm always happy to help.

Creating Old-fashioned Paperweights with Antique and Vintage Photographs

I love to create old-fashioned paperweights with antique photographs.  It's a wonderful way to display long-forgotten images that would otherwise remain in album, box, or dresser drawer.

When you're working with family photos, I recommend scanning the images to your computer so the original photo will be preserved.  This will allow you re-size your images and add text using a image or word processing program.  You can also print duplicate copies to create additional paperweights as gifts or mementos for an upcoming family reunion.

Many antique shops have a variety of photographs available for sale.  I call these instant relatives.  I'll often flip through boxes of snapshots and cabinet cards, looking for interesting photos to add to my collection.  (I collect photos of farm houses, cats, and children holding teddy bears.)  Look for images that can start a conversation.  These make the best paperweights.

For a touch of whimsy, add a balloon caption that reflects a funny thought the person in the photo may have been thinking. This can transform an ordinary photograph into something truly special.

Antique Button Card Paperweight

 

This paperweight would make the perfect gift for a seamstress or someone who collects antique sewing notions.  It's made with an old sewing card that still has it's pearlized buttons attached.  The artwork on the card features two peacocks with their outstretched feathers fashioned into a border.

The buttons are sewn onto the card with a small sheet of foil behind them.  This has a mirror effect that adds a lot to this piece.  I added a needle and thread to the design to give it a little more interest.

The first step in creating this paperweight was to make a background to build the design on.  I chose a sheet of greenish-blue paper from a scrapbooking pad.  (The color was a close match to a color in the peacock feathers.)  The paper was placed on the pre-cut, self-adhesive mounting board included with the paperweight kit.  (PhotoWeights:  Large Rectangle)

I used double-stick tape on the back of the button card because I wanted the card to lay as flat as possible on the background.  Be sure to use permanent tape, as removable tape is likely to lift.

As you can see, the buttons are sewn into the card.  Sometimes you'll find the thread used to do this is somewhat delicate, especially on older pieces.  If this is the case, re-stringing the buttons with new thread is an option.  If the thread is still in fair condition, you can also apply just enough glue to the thread on the back of the card to keep it secure.

After you place the button card on the background, gently press down on all areas of the card to ensure a tight bond with the double-stick tape.

Here's a tip.  Before I applied the tape-backed button card to the background, I drew a faint line with pencil as a guide to help me center the card.

I wanted to add a little something to the design to give it more interest.  I thought a needle and thread would be the perfect element to tie everything together.  After I threaded the needle, the needle was glued to the button card with clear adhesive.

The thread was laid across the buttons.  In order to keep it in place, I used a small amount of clear glue on the middle button, second row from the bottom.  The end of the thread was tucked underneath the mounting board and held in place with tape.

Here is a close-up view of the finished paperweight.

Button cards are just one of the many things you can find at flea markets and antique shops for your paperweight projects.  Dollar bins are a great place to look!

Bronze Paisley Paperweight with Ribbon and Buckle

When I thought of doing a buckle paperweight, I purchased the supplies to take it in two very different directions.  There's the bronze paisley design that's shown, and one that will involve bright pink ribbon and a round, rhinestone buckle.  I'll save the glitzy one for next week.

This is an incredibly easy paperweight to create.  You'll need some decorative background paper, a slide buckle, and a short length of ribbon that fits the buckle's opening.  Our Heirloom Rectangle paperweight kit works very well for this project.

The photo above shows the finished design before it was displayed in the paperweight.  The adhesive side of the mounting board was covered with scrapbook paper (The Paper Company, Bronze Paisley on Ivory, P89103).  Before I adhered the buckle (La Mode Buttons Style 24763) to the background with fabric and paper glue, I slid the ribbon through the buckle, making sure there was an extra 2" on each end to tuck underneath the board. 

Once the glue on the buckle sets, secure the ends of the ribbon to the back of the board with a small amount of hot melt glue.  (I prefer hot melt glue for this step because it sets instantly and won't allow the ribbon to loosen.)

When the artwork is complete, place the mounting board (decorated side down) within the recessed area on the bottom of the paperweight.  Cover the base of the paperweight with the bottom pad that's included with each paperweight kit.

See our illustrated, step-by-step instructions at PhotoWeights.com.

Paperweights Made With Vintage Cigar Labels

I love vintage cigar labels because they are true works of art that often feature beautiful fonts, flourishes, and gold embossing.  Because they can often be purchased for just a dollar or two each, they're also an affordable way to transform a "blank" paperweight into an attractive desk accessory any cigar aficionado can appreciate.

The labels I used are a recent find from an antique fair in Long Beach, CA.  When looking for labels for your own projects, here's a hint.  Bring one of our product brochures with you, along with a ruler, so you'll have the measurements for each paperweight style on hand.  This will allow you to check whether or not a label with fit into a paperweight's display area.  If you don't have one of our brochures, click here to request one.

The photo above shows the finished artwork ready to display in the paperweights.  The mounting board for each paperweight kit was covered with a clipping of scrapbook paper in shimmery bronze. The labels were attached to the bronze background paper with double-sided tape film.  I prefer using tape film because it very thin, allows the labels to lay flat, and doesn't require time to dry.

Once the artwork is complete, place the mounting board (image side down) within the recessed area on the bottom of the paperweight.  Cover the base of the paperweight with the bottom pad that's included with each paperweight kit.

See our illustrated, step-by-step instructions at PhotoWeights.com.

Family Archive Paperweight - United States Census

Keep of piece of your family history close at hand by creating a paperweight that showcases an excerpt from the United States Federal Census.  Copies of original, handwritten census pages from 1940 and earlier are available online, usually free of charge.

I used Ancestry.com as the source for my family's census information.  From Ancestry's main page, click Search from the top navigation menu and select Census & Voter Lists.  From there, enter as much information as possible about the family member you're looking for.  Once you perform your search, a list of possible matches will appear.  Underneath the title of the document for your ancestor, click the "View Image" link to view a copy of the report.

Ancestry.com has built-in printing options that will allow you to print the entire document or zoom in.  I used the zoom feature and printed the report in landscape mode, along the length of the paper.  Although I printed onto white paper, you can print your report on paper with a slight color or an aged look to it to add warmth and interest.

In addition to creating a paperweight that reflects your family's history, you can also have fun searching for your favorite celebrities and notable figures of the era.

I hope this project helps you learn a little more about your family tree while being able to create a valued memento for you desk or a thoughtful gift for someone you know.

Conversation Hearts Paperweights

Our inspiration for the Conversation Hearts Paperweights obviously came the beloved Valentine's Day confection.

These paperweights are incredibly easy to make on your own with a personalized message.  The glass heart paperweight may be purchased on our website:  Heart Paperweight Kit

Step 1

In a word processing or publishing program, draw a 4" square box and fill with a color of your choice.  We used traditional Conversation Heart colors for the background and text.  Here are the color codes we used:

• Yellow - #FFFF9D / RGB 255, 255,157
• Lavender - #CD99CD / RGB 205, 153, 205

Step 2

Layer text over the colored box and center it.  Keep the shape of the heart paperweight in mind, as it substantially narrows on the bottom.  We used the following font and font color:

• Arial, 24pt.
• Color Code - BD0945 / RGB 189, 9, 69

Step 4

Print the artwork on a good quality photo paper.  Once dry, finish each paperweight using the instructions that come with each PhotoWeights paperweight kit.


What kind of conversation will your paperweight start?



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Enter coupon code BEMINE during checkout at PhotoWeights.com to receive 15% off your next order.  We'll also include a box of Necco® Conversation Hearts candies.

This offer is valid through January 27, 2013 at 11:59 P.M., Pacific.  Excludes wholesale orders.

Valentine's Day Paperweight - Amour Ribbon with Heart Locket

With Valentine's Day exactly one month away, I thought it was the perfect time to bring you a romantic design idea.  This design is very easy to create and doesn't require a lot of materials.

What you'll need:  Ribbon, Locket, Background Paper, Paperweight Kit (Heirloom Dome), Hot Melt Glue

For this project I used fabric ribbon with Amour written in script (French General by Jolee's Boutique, Dots Words Ribbons).  The locket is new (a charm from Michael's Bead Landing collection).  If you prefer, you can use an antique locket instead.  These can often be picked up at flea markets for $5-10 in fair condition.  The red background is a sheet of textured scrapbooking paper.

After the background paper was applied to the adhesive mounting board (included with each PhotoWeights paperweight kit), I created a bow by forming a closed loop with a smaller loop circling the center.  The bow and tails were applied to the background with hot melt glue.

The locket was glued in place just beneath the bow.  I also glued the ends of the ribbon tails to the background, toward the edge of the round board, making sure to leave a little slack to give it a free-flowing appearance.  The edges of the ribbon were turned underneath the mounting board and glued in place to complete the design.

Once the design was finished, it was applied to the adhesive side of the bottom pad (included with each PhotoWeights paperweight kit), making sure to center it.  The black bottom pad may be seen in the photo above.

The final step is placing the design face-down onto the bottom of your paperweight so the applied decoration fits into the bottom recess.  Press the outside edge of the adhesive bottom pad to secure.

Are you working on some Valentine's Day designs of your own?  Please email your photos to me at susan@photoweights.com, or post them to our Facebook page at facebook.com/photoweights.  We'd love to see what you've been creating!

Panic and Freak Out: Cute Frankenstein Paperweight for Halloween

With Halloween a little more than a month away, I wanted to post a fun design that will grab lots of attention at the office.  It's so cute, it may end up staying on your desk long after all the little ghouls and goblins have gone home.

I used our Heirloom Rectangle paperweight kit for this project because it has a display area that will accommodate dimensional items.  You'll also need a few embellishment stickers and a sheet of decorative paper to use as the background.

The paper I chose for the background has "Now Panic and Freak Out" written across it in several different fonts.  (The reverse side reads, "Keep Calm and Carry On")  I thought the simple, black and white design would be a great base for the colorful stickers I used in this project.  (Paper:  Recollections 'Keep Calm' - Available at Michaels)

The dimensional stickers (Recollections 224552 - Available at Michaels) are made up of three layers separated by foam tape. Because they were a little too thick to fit inside the paperweight, I removed the foam tape from the back of each sticker and applied them to the background with glue.  This reduced the thickness of the stickers by a few millimeters.

When I'm working with dimensional items, I prefer to adhere the finished mounting board to the adhesive side of the paperweight kit's bottom pad, as shown above.   This is because the dimensional stickers prevent the mounting board from laying flat on the bottom of the paperweight, making it difficult to keep everything centered while applying the bottom pad.

The last step in completing your design is to apply the adhesive pad (artwork attached and facing down) to the bottom of your paperweight.


If you have any questions or comments regarding this project, or if you need help with a project of your own, please leave a comment.  We're more than happy to help.