Book Paper Roses in RePurposed Packaging

I've already written about my new-found use or re-use of plastic packaging that comes with my food - for example, my new pink paper roses come in repurposed egg packaging to shield them from the distresses of shipping. I've recently expanded on the idea to include plastic packaging that comes with certain types of veggies and herbs - like grape tomatoes, baby spinach, arugula, lettuce, mint, basil and so on.

So, now, every plastic thing that comes into our home gets properly cleaned and stored for future use (we do try so diligently to stay away from plastic packaging and bags, but sometimes even organic produce comes in #1 recyclable plastic things).

I find that storing pretty paper creations in these re-purposed boxes saves us a trip to the crafts store to buy cardboard boxes. Plus, you get to see what's inside the plastic - a big advantage in my book, since I keep plenty of these in my home studio. Easy reference saves time. Re-purposed materials save money. Good for me, good for the planet - everybody wins :)

And speaking of re-purposing materials, these roses were made from the pages of an old book. Once its pages served their purpose in the reading department, I decided to give them another life in another form - as petals for paper flowers which will continue to give joy to like-minded people.

A touch of ink here and there, a bit of wire at the back and these beauties are ready to adorn gifts, take the place of bookmarks, sit prettily in little vases, or become a part of something bigger than themselves, a handcrafted bouquet, or a wreath perhaps...

Vellum Ornament Lamp

The vellum ornaments I've mentioned in a previous post, besides hanging from a ceiling, can hold lights inside and serve as handmade lamps.

The vellum lamp shown above holds 10 LED string lights. I currently have it on a dresser in the bedroom where it glows in a bluish light. I plan to get more LED lights and make lamps in different sizes and colors.

Here are more examples of my hanging paper and vellum ornaments- all made by hand.

Vellum

Vellum paper is a wonderful thing - pliable and transparent, it can carry light in such a delightful way that I'm tempted to make my own lamp sculpture from vellum sheets.

For now, I have constructed a few geometric ornaments and punched discrete holes to let the light shine through.

When hanged from the ceiling at different heights, these vellum ornaments really draw the eye up, letting it rest on their symmetrical forms. And they move gently like a mobile - really soothing.

Birds

These birds, created by artists from Europe and Canada were found on Etsy on a lazy afternoon.

Red Bird by Sabahnur from Istanbul, Turkey
2 Bird Pins by Marina Bormosheva a.k.a Moloco from Kiev, Ukraine
Christmas Bird Decoration by MyHappyHobbies, Renfrew, Canada
Cardinal Decoration by Kate Fete from London, UK

I Love Biscuits

Oh, biscuits... If there ever was a sweet piece that reminds me of my childhood days it is this one.

KerryLemon's "Biscuits" send me back to the old country where I would love nothing more than a glass of milk and a couple of biscuits before going to bed. My mom called it "something for sweet dreams", this little ritual.

Not such a great idea, eating sugary treats before bed, but I never had trouble sleeping. Plus, we didn't have high-fructose corn syrup in our sweets in those days. 

Anyways, I like this print.

Check it out in KerryLemon's Etsy shop, where you'll also find an awesome rhinosaurus print.