newest creation...

My most recent necklace creation! I wrapped wood beads in different papers, added a few vintage beads and braided some ribbon to tie it around my neck.

another papery treat...

This past Sunday I stopped in Fly Bird and decided to "splurge" and get this $2 treat for myself. It's a paper craft nostalgia postcard by monkey design. The front has this image of a general store and the back has guidelines showing you where to cut and fold. You follow the guidelines to turn a 2D postcard into a little 3D pop up vignette. It took me a couple of hours to make it. I lost one of the rear view mirrors on the bike, (should've gotten a fresh exacto blade!) but other than that, it turned out pretty well.

papery treat...

I was perusing the thrift and vintage shops along Milwaukee in Wicker Park last week and found this bit of wallpaper. Tah-Dah! What am I doing with it? Not sure yet, but what I do know is that I would like some more.

calling...

Today I came across these calling and escort cards at a sidewalk sale.  I love the different shapes and sizes and fonts; and I am always intrigued by little cultural rituals that have died away.  I laughed when I read the response card to the escort card - picturing a couple standing awkwardly, exchanging cards instead of conversation.  I'm sure it didn't exactly happen that way, but google didn't help me out too much with the history of such exchanges when I looked up "escort cards" or "dance cards".  I'll have to do some more searching.  In any case, I gave in to my weakness for paper ephemera and took these home.  

new find...

I just recently found this paper and had to restrain myself from buying the entire store stock.  I'm using it in some of my jewelry, but I've also saved a sheet to frame with this photograph of my grandmother.  Now I just need to get a better copy of the print and a frame...