Antique, French Playing Cards Showcased in a Glass Paperweight

I haven't worked with our Large Round Paperweight Kit for a while, so I thought I'd design a project especially for this style.

The Large Round has just a light recess on the bottom, so you're limited to displaying very thin objects such as photographs and artwork printed on paper.  Because I'm adding some antique, French playing cards, I'll be excluding the mounting board to conserve some much needed space.

The playing cards I'm using are smaller than the cards we're accustomed to in the United States.  They measure 2 1/2" x 1 13/16" which makes them perfect for paperweight designs.  (I'll provide more information about these cards later in this post.)  I also used a sheet of striped scrapbooking paper from a paper stack pad. 

The paperweight kit (PhotoWeights: Large Round) is available on our website at PhotoWeights.com.

In order to conserve some space (thickness), I won't be using a mounting board for this project.  Instead, I'm using a template (PhotoWeights: Display Area Template) to trace an outline in pencil that's the exact size of the mounting board.

After I cut along the pencil line I traced , the scrapbook paper is the perfect size.  If any traces of pencil remain along the edge, use an eraser to gently remove them.

The antique cards I'm using were made by B.P. Grimaud in Paris.  Some of Grimaud's cards are more plain than these.  Others come in themed editions that are much more beautifully illustrated.  I paid about $10.00 for two of these decks at a flea market.  You can also find full and partial decks on Ebay and Etsy from time-to-time.

If you have some antique or collectible cards of your own, I would recommend researching them on Google, Worthpoint, or Ebay before you begin to cut and glue them.  They may be much more valuable than you think.

I placed the cards on the background paper using double-sided tape.  You can also use a liquid glue.  Adhesives such as foam mounting tape, rubber cement, and hot melt glue would add too much thickness to the design.

The King card was cut along the bottom-left corner to follow the curve of the paper.

Once the cards were in place, the background paper was placed face-down onto the bottom of the paperweight.  Because of the way the paperweight is designed, you won't be able to notice if your cut line along the edge of the paper is not perfectly even.

The final step is placing the adhesive pad (included with each PhotoWeights paperweight kit) over the bottom surface.

I hope you liked seeing how this paperweight design was made.  If there's a particular type of item or craft you would like me to feature on our design blog, please let me know.

Washi Tape: Add a Finishing Touch to Your Paperweights

Washi tape has been emerging in popularity over the past few years.  When I attended the CHA (Craft & Hobby Association) Show in Anaheim, CA, in 2014, only a few brands seemed to carry it.  This year it was everywhere!

In addition to Scotch® and Duck®, companies best known for their tape, many smaller companies in the creative industry have also introduced their own washi tape designs to coordinate with their collections. Two of my favorites include Tim Holtz and Graphic 45.  Little B, Bo Bunny, We R, and American Crafts have also thrown their hats into the washi tape ring.


If you have no idea what washi tape is, you're not alone.  It actually hasn't been around for very long.  I would describe it as being similar to paper tape used in first-aid.  It's smooth, thin, flexible, and very strong.  It's available in a wide variety of colors, patterns, and widths.


Wrapping Your Paperweights
with Washi Tape

Washi tape can only be used to wrap the outside of a few of our paperweight styles; the Round, Large Round, and Heirloom Square.  Our other paperweights have tapered sides that gradually widen from the top surface to the base, preventing the tape from laying flat.

I recommend applying some clear glue where the ends of the tape meet to prevent the tape from lifting.   Washi tape isn't permanent, so it's not practical for paperweights that will be picked up and handled on a regular basis.

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.

Vintage Valentine Paperweights

With Valentine's Day less than three weeks away, it's the perfect time to add a sentimental touch of romance (or schoolhouse puppy love) to your desk with a vintage Valentine Paperweight.  If you don't have any old Valentine's Day cards at hand, check with a local antique shop to see if they have a selection available.

I had the luxury of sorting through a few boxes of old Valentine's Day cards earlier this month and chose three simple, die-cut cards (pictured above) for these projects.  Choose cards with fun graphics that will fit well within the display area of your paperweight.

Important note:  Vintage cards can be very delicate, so be especially careful.  A coating that makes some cards shiny may also craze when the paper is bent.

To My Sweetheart

The first paperweight was created by cutting out the artwork on the Valentine's card.  I used a metallic paper background that shimmers when the light catches it.  This color of the paper (Blue Steel) compliments the dark blue bow in the little girl's hair.  It's also a nice backdrop for the red heart.

I used a glue stick to apply the card to the background.

Puppy Love

I'm a little heartbroken about this paperweight because I accidentally destroyed it when I attempted to change the background (note the earlier warning about the fragility of clear coatings).

The background is a soft shade of green.  I later realized it should have been blue to resemble a sky over the fence (duh!).  Plan B was to replace the green paper with a photo of a sky and clouds I tore out of a magazine.  It would have looked perfect. (Emphasis on would have.)

St. Valentine Greet to You!

I chose this card because I love the floral dress and huge, oversize bows. All little girls should have such a dress.  Don't you agree?

My goal with this design was to take a die-cut card and place it on a background that would make it look as though it wasn't die-cut at all.  I chose a piece of scrapbook paper in a yellow baroque pattern that really brought it all together.

What's Your Resolution for 2012? Create a Paperweight to Help You Stay Focused on Your Goals

Is this your year to travel abroad?

The new year has always been a time to look back on the past and resolve to make changes for the coming year.  For many of us, staying focused on these goals can be a challenge.

Whether you've resolved to get organized, drop a few extra pounds, or learn something new, you'll have fun creating a motivational paperweight that will help you stay on track.

You don't have to put an incredible amount of time into designing your paperweight.  Here are a few examples:

• Drop 25 pounds for an exotic trip abroad:
  Your paperweight design can be as simple as the number "25" in a stylish font, or a photo of your summer vacation destination.
  
  
• Change Careers:
  Would you like to make a career change 2012?  Have fun personalizing a paperweight with your name and dream job title.
  
  
• Learn to Speak French:
  Many things can encourage a person to learn a new language.  Perhaps your dream is to travel the French countryside or learn the art of French cooking.  Create a design that tells your story.

Having a motivational paperweight on your desk will act as a reminder of things you've set out to accomplish this year so you can stay focused on your goals.  Afterall, isn't this half the battle?

Silhouette Halloween Paperweight - Witch & Owl

Because October is just three days away, I thought I'd bring you a Halloween project that's quite simple to put together.  It was created with PhotoWeights' Large Round Paperweight Kit using a Papyrus greeting card (Halloween Moon Silhouette, available at some Target stores).  The only other supplies you'll need include a pair of scissors and paper glue.

The greeting card (show above) features iridescent, hot foil paper placed behind a black silhouette.  The iridescent paper changes color when moved which really brings the design to life.

The first step in creating this paperweight is easy.  Cover the self-adhesive surface of the mounting board with the iridescent paper.  (A mounting board is included with each PhotoWeights kit).  Trim any overlapping paper.  The end result is shown above.

Lay the silhouette over the mounting board to determine which areas of the silhouette you would like to be seen in your paperweight.  Trim the silhouette leaving some extra paper for the final trim which will be done later.

Apply a small amount of glue to the reverse side of the silhouette and place it directly to the iridescent paper on the mounting board.  Once the glue has dried completely, trim any areas of black paper that extend beyond the mounting board.

Once these steps are complete, your paperweight may be finished by placing the artwork face-down onto the bottom of your paperweight.  The final step is applying the velvet bottom pad (included with each PhotoWeights kit) to the base of the paperweight.

Do you have any ideas for Halloween designs?  Please leave a comment and let us know.  We'd love to hear from you!