Glass PhotoWeights for Quilling

I've long been an admirer of decorative glass paperweights and always wondered how on earth do such perfect swirls of color and intricate shapes wind up inside the molten orbs?! I live fairly close to Wheaton Arts in southern New Jersey, an area which has been a glassmaking hub since the late 1700s. A visit to the fascinating Museum of American Glass, glassblowing studio, and paperweight shop answered many of my questions. So sorry for the tease, but paperweight making isn't a process that can easily be described here; however, I do have a peace offering that I hope you'll like... read on!

<span class=

I gave several of my relatives a PhotoWeight just like this one for Christmas a few years ago. During my counted cross stitch [addiction] phase, I was thrilled to discover the PhotoWeights company because their paperweight kits provided me the perfect way to combine my love of stitching and paperweights.

You see, each clear glass weight has a beveled area on the underside for displaying and preserving so many things. Photographs, mini-paintings, collections of tiny seashells, pressed flowers, origami butterflies... these are just a few ways to personalize a PhotoWeight, not to mention it's the perfect housing for quilling! Even my folded roses fit inside this domed PhotoWeight.

<span class=

I love the way each paperweight comes packaged as a complete do-it-yourself kit that includes a pre-cut, self-adhesive mounting board, velvet bottom pad, and easy-to-follow instructions. There are so many nice shapes and sizes to choose from too - oval, rectangle, round, domed round, scalloped, heart, and octagonal. And since glass is quite heavy, one will truly hold down a stack of papers should a gust of wind blow across your desk.

<span class=
For some reason I gave this little hummingbird a strange beak - pleading artistic license.

Susan Eastin, who founded PhotoWeights in 2001, has generously offered to send a PhotoWeights kit of choice to three commenters worldwide. Be sure to include your email address within your comment if you don't have a blog or website where your address is readily available. You may earn one extra entry by liking All Things Paper on Facebook. Tell me if you've done this within your comment or as a separate one.

Giveaway will close at the end of Tuesday, September 27th. The three winners will be announced on this post and on the All Things Paper Facebook page the next day. Good luck!

Please note: I have not received compensation in any form from PhotoWeights in exchange for doing this giveaway.

Congratulations to Traci, Suganthi, and Esther, whose numbers were selected by Random.org! Each winner will receive a PhotoWeights kit of her choice. Many thanks for all of the gracious comments, everyone. I've enjoyed keeping a running list, adding in the Facebook mentions as they rolled in. Even if you didn't win this time, take heart - there will be another giveaway coming up in the near future.
Ann Martin
Ann Martin

This is a short biography of the post author and you can replace it with your own biography.

Comments

  1. Wow What a great idea... Love them...!!! Facebook fanpage already liked :)
    sajjalsabih@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for the chance to win. I've made a few glass paperweights in glassblowing classes before but it would be really cool to combine glass and something else like paper!

    ReplyDelete
  3. OH I would love to win one of these! Actually, I don't know if I can wait, hehehe. I think I may just go order one! or two! or more. What great gifts!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Love the quilled flower one would never of thought of that.

    I already have you liked on Facebook too !

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love these paper weights and your quilled Hummingbirds beak goes well with your scrolls. I already like your facebook page.

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a neat idea! Love these.
    Just liked you on FB.
    valerie @ whatthefun.net

    ReplyDelete
  7. Love this idea of paperweight!
    (liked you on facebook (Rebecca Caca))
    rebecca.lemay@gmail.com
    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  8. So pretty...these will make great gifts...love the floral idea...my id
    jewelsofsayuri@gmail(dot)com...thanks

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks for the giveaway
    These paper weights are so beautiful
    kisses

    sra_de_romero(at)yahoo.com.mx

    ReplyDelete
  10. Like you on FB as Ana Laura de Romero

    thanks

    sra_de_romero(at)yahoo.com.mx

    ReplyDelete
  11. hi Ann,
    thank you for the lovely chance to win these beautiful items!
    my email : si_sld@yahoo.com

    xoxo!
    steph

    i already like you on fb page too :-)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh I love paperweights! my email is claire.negus@gmail.com

    I don't have a FB but if I did, it would have been liked a long time ago. :)

    Claire

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi Ann
    Thanks for the chance to win these lovely paper weights
    my e mail: pranathi_14@yahoo.com

    I already like you on facebook too :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Already left a comment on face book,but will say again, love the quilling its so gorgeous inside the glass, love it!!!!
    Paula
    paulahogue@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love this DIY idea ! such an original paperweight !

    ReplyDelete
  16. These are so cool! Thank you for this offer and for all that you do.
    --SueBE

    ReplyDelete
  17. These are pretty awesome. They'd make great Christmas gifts. I'm also a Facebook fan.

    ReplyDelete
  18. They're gorgeous - what a great idea! Thanks,
    rae_sunshine4(at)yahoo.com
    I also liked you on facebook as Sara Mendelsson.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Lovely paper weights! I especially like the one with the rose bouquet.

    I'd love a chance to win a kit. Recently got back into embroidery and trying to think of things to do with it apart from jewellery. And they could probably be used for some of my beadwork too.

    ReplyDelete
  20. The quilling looks amazing in these paperweights!

    Also, I'm surprised I hadn't already "liked" you on facebook. Such tragedy! This tragedy has now been righted.

    ReplyDelete
  21. These paperweights looks great - and so much easier to put quilling in than the resin casting techniques that I have tried!! I'd love to win one ... and I'm already a 'liker' of All Things Paper on my Quilliance Facebook page!
    Philippa
    http://quilliance.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. There is nothing I love more than a pretty thing, except, of course, for a pretty thing that is useful. *-*

    ReplyDelete
  23. Oh YES I'd love to be in the draw too for one of these paperweights. I especially love the look of the 3-D quilling inside; great that it is able to fit!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Those are so pretty with the quilling inside of them. I love them, what a great gift they would make.
    I already liked you on facebook

    ReplyDelete
  25. Ann,

    Your paper weights are beautiful! What a great way to showcase quilling!

    I wil have to keep this idea in mind!!

    Thanks for sharing,
    Sue C

    ReplyDelete
  26. Beautiful paperweights! what a great idea! thanks !

    ReplyDelete
  27. These are great and would make such a great gift. Thanks for the chance to win. debbiebrazzle (at) ilcp (dot) org

    ReplyDelete
  28. Wow! I have been wanting to do this for some of my quilling. Now that I found the site, I will have to do more quilling specific for the Paper Weights. I hope I win.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Wow! Love the idea of combining quilling and a paperweight. Liked you on FB, too.

    ReplyDelete
  30. What a wonderful gift those would make. I will have to give the paperweights a try whether i win or not.
    canyoncreation@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  31. I love the quilling under the glass!!!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Since I started quilling I have found so many ways to display the quilling.You have given me so many idea's.The glass paper weight is the best.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Wow, the photoweights are just perfect for quilling, aren't they! I'll have to buy one or more if I don't win this little drawing! :) I am also your fan on facebook.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Looks and sounds so interesting...

    ReplyDelete
  35. beautiful paperweights.

    gustosagiveaways atymaildotcom

    ReplyDelete
  36. I do not really remember how did I get here, but I the blog and I definitelly will be visiting more often :)

    ReplyDelete
  37. This would be something new to try. Love it.

    enilorac.lam@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  38. I, too, loved cross-stitch at one time but I now definitely prefer paper. Love the paperweight and would be thrilled to receive one. I have been a fan of All Things Paper's Facebook page for a while. My e-mail address is donnabridy@aol.com

    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Wow these paper weights are gorgeous... definitely worth trying out.

    I have liked you on facebook too.

    ReplyDelete
  40. I have already "liked" you on Facebook and I LOVE your creations! I am so glad I found your site. I would love to win one of the paperweights and in case I get lucky my email address is lenoriakelly@att.net. Thank you for sharing this.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Thank you for your offer and I appreciate your generosity. The paperweights are just so beautiful.

    Cora Azucena (Philippines)

    ReplyDelete
  42. I love all the different ways one can display their artwork. Would love to try my quilling in a paperweight.
    hafwhit@gmail.com
    FB too

    ReplyDelete
  43. Those are so neat! It would look so nice on my desk!!
    (Hint Hint lol)


    Scarlettred 41816 (at) gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  44. Liked you on FB!

    Scarlettred 41816 (at) gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  45. Thank you so much for pointing me towards this company! I am deep in Christmas gifts right now...and I can think of several people who would LOVE these! And quilling the designs, too...it just doesn't get any better!

    tbrennan at pldi dot net

    ReplyDelete
  46. Oh...and I "liked" the Facebook, too!

    ReplyDelete
  47. These are spectacular! I absolutely adore the flower-garden esque one!
    jbenner@embarqmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  48. Hola me encantaría tener uno en mi escritorio, están muy bonitos, y gracias por el caramelo.
    también lo colocaré en el Facebook

    ReplyDelete
  49. Ann, I left a comment on Facebook.

    I'm sure your family members loved the paper weights you made for them, I know I would.

    Teddie

    ReplyDelete
  50. Ooh! Love the paperweights! Good price too, although free is even better! I`ll be ordering some for stitched and quilled gifts. Great idea for men`s gifts, they can be hard to craft for.

    ReplyDelete
  51. PS Of COURSE I like you on Facebook too!
    carlasuewho02@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  52. Like FB and left a message.

    HappyHome43@msn.com

    ReplyDelete
  53. I love the paperweights, they will make great Christmas gifts. But even though free will make them a great price, I will be buying some.

    HappyHome43@msn.com

    ReplyDelete
  54. My mom has a glass paperweight that I have coveted ever since I was a little girl, but I had no idea that it was possible to make your own. Thanks for a great post and giveaway!

    dorotheaspears964@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  55. Great giveaway -I'd so love one of these!!

    DESPINA
    deb_oro@yahoo.gr

    ReplyDelete
  56. I also like All Things Paper / Ann Martin on Facebook, as Despina Vnt

    DESPINA
    deb_oro@yahoo.gr

    ReplyDelete
  57. What a lovely idea and thank you for the giveaway :)

    kate1485 at hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  58. I'm a fan on Facebook (Kate Ryan)

    kate1485 at hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  59. A very nice giveaway! I'm a fan on Facebook (Eleonor Tapia). You'll find my email through my website www.eleonortapia.com

    ReplyDelete
  60. Very cool idea and nice quilling work too.
    I'm a fan on FB (Ma Xiang Ru)
    maxiangru@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  61. Love the idea of sush beautiful paper weights)
    redalepou@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  62. Liked you on Facebook: Olesia Flegka
    Email:redalepou@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  63. These are beautiful! Thanks for the giveaway opportunity

    aurora6772 at sbcglobal dot net

    ReplyDelete
  64. I'm a fan on FB

    aurora6772 at sbcglobal dot net

    ReplyDelete
  65. Wow I think I am in love, I love glassworks of any kind, but these paperweights are beautiful. I love the quilling you did for them. I would love to put some of my quilling in there to give as a gift. Thank you for the chance to win one.
    Hugs,
    Melissa D
    mkds312@hotmail.com
    sleeplesswonder.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  66. I am now a FB fan.
    Hugs,
    Melissa D
    mkds312@hotmail.com
    sleeplesswonder.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  67. Wow!! Those with quilling patterns are beautiful.Thanks for giveaway.
    I am fan on FB(Rashida Taher).

    ReplyDelete
  68. I would definitely like to win this..Been following you for quite some time..

    Cheers from Malaysia,
    syazcards.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  69. Exquisite paper weights. So glad so shared them on your blog. Thanks
    Also clicked Like on your Facebook page
    Chhavi, India
    chhavirules@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  70. Love the look of quilling and glass paper weights.

    ReplyDelete
  71. Love these paperweights, specially with the quilling piece inside.

    ReplyDelete
  72. I love the paper weights!

    ReplyDelete
  73. WOW ! AMAZED BY THIS PAPER WEIGHT CRAFT. I AM FROM INDIA . I REALLY LOVED THE WORK DONE . HOPE I WIN THIS GIFT .
    vipulmebro@rediffmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  74. Hope I am not too late, would love to be entered in the chance to win! Love this site and everything you share! Thanks!!

    ReplyDelete
  75. Such lovely work. Thank you for the chance to win.
    Marie
    Readg4fun at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  76. Adorable PhotoWeights!!!

    Thank you for the chance!

    ksyshenka(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  77. I like All Things Paper on FB!

    (oksana vladimirovna)

    ksyshenka(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  78. To say I am enamored by these beautiful paperweights would not be enough. Your work is breathtaking. i liked you on Facebook. Thanks for this great blog that is true to a kusudama makers heart!
    Kghornsten@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  79. These would be amazing for my silver charms. Thanks for the great chance!

    thepricklypinecone(at)gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  80. Congrats on being featured in the Craft flickr pool round up, Ann! Love your work.

    http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2011/09/craft_flickr_pool_weekly_round_151.html

    ReplyDelete
  81. I hope I win! I submitted a comment before but I dont think it went through. Please visit my website!




    madisonrussell@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  82. I got here through your flickr photo that was linked to by CRAFT; and holy cow! I was hoping that your quilled paperweight was the prize! It is so gorgeous! I liked you on facebook. And I am jennilive at gmail dot com. Crossing fingers now!

    ReplyDelete
  83. Your paperweights are breathtaking. If I win, I'm sure I'll be following your lead.

    Thanks so much for the giveaway.

    wordygirl at earthlink dot net

    ReplyDelete
  84. I always loved paperweights for quilling, but could only buy some acrylic ones. Those are lovely.
    Francine

    ReplyDelete
  85. Those are so pretty and my desk definitely needs one! Thanks for the wonderful giveaway!

    med251atgmaildotcom

    ReplyDelete
  86. I wish your quilled paperweight was the prize. However, my niece is a wonderful quiller, and I could commission her to fill the paper weight.



    I don't understand which ID i am supposed to pick-i thought you should never post your e-mail on a public page.

    ReplyDelete
  87. oh how cute, I love the quilled ones you showed!

    -Lauren
    lauren51990 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  88. I have some pretty little seashells that would look nice in one of these!

    sandy(dot)hardman(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  89. These are so perfect for gifts I couldn't wait for the drawing. I placed an order for several of these along with the matching gift bags. Thanks for sharing your beautiful work and for giving me another way to express my love of quilling.
    Michele Johnson
    michele.kay@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  90. Comments for this giveaway are closed as of midnight on the 27th.

    ReplyDelete
  91. Thank you so much, Ann! I'm so thrilled to be a winner!

    ReplyDelete
  92. Did you cut your fabric around the mounting board or did you wrap your fabric around it? I'm trying to prevent the frayed edges from showing. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Ann!

      Delete
    2. Hi there, I cut the Aida cross stitch cloth into a circle after I finished stitching, right before I put it in the paperweight. That way it didn't have much chance to fray. I think wrapping it would make the edge look a bit lumpy. There is a product called Fray Check you could use if your fabric is the type that frays very easily.

      Delete

Post a Comment

Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment. I try to respond to questions within 24 hours, so please check back.