Beyond the Mainstream: Stunning Modern Paper Jewelry Finds

A fallback topic for a post on this blog is almost always paper jewelry. Why? Because as an inveterate window shopper, I love the ease of researching the world via Google images, and because readers seem to enjoy the surprise that paper jewelry offers as much as I do.

Have a look at this latest round up of handcrafted paper jewelry. The half dozen makers create contemporary art jewelry... the kind that is not at all mainstream, yet is clearly admired by others.

A contemporary 'Reflection' brooch by Verde Alfieri, featuring dramatically fanned and folded paper in shades of orange, purple, and deep red, creating a sculptural, textured piece on a shiny red circular base.

1. The wearable paper art of Verde Alfieri in Milan, Italy never fails to delight. She says, "Being modern, to me, means pushing the boundaries of traditional materials. Using paper to create jewelry, like this unique brooch, is a way to challenge expectations." Her striking new collection of brooches, Reflection, features magnetic triple clasps.

In addition to her website, she is on Instagram, @verdealfierijewels, and also has an Etsy shop, Verde Alfieri Jewel Design.

2. Monica Peksa in Austria is creating captivating pieces that capture the beauty of summer. Here she has transformed simple papier mache and driftwood into an elegant brooch.

An elegant and organic-shaped brooch by Monica Peksa, crafted from papier mache displaying subtle nodules and incorporating a piece of smooth, golden driftwood.

I'm also drawn to the soft color and perfect accordion folds of her fan brooch (below).

Connect with Monica via a direct message on Instagram, @peksa.monica, or shop in person at 'S Fachl in Linz, Austria.

A detailed close-up of Monica Peksa's paper fan brooch in a light teal color, showcasing its precise accordion folds and delicate texture, presented against a white background.

3. Eunhee Cho, a jewelry artist in South Korea, used Hanji (Korean paper) and Jiseung (twisted cord) to create these ethereal pieces - a necklace (Whisper of White, 2025) and ring (Fruit Bearing Thorns, 2024) .

She explains: "From the primary material—bark of the mulberry tree—to the final touch with sticky rice paste, the repetitive act of connecting and weaving with materials sourced from nature gently brings me into a state of calm and ease, as if I have become one with nature."

Ethereal off-white jewelry piece by Eunhee Cho, resembling textured tassels in the shape of organic seed pods, crafted from Hanji (Korean paper) and Jiseung (twisted cord).

In addition to her website, Eunhee can also be reached via Instagram, @choeunhee.artwork.

A hand displaying a ring worn on the middle finger that is a small, intricately woven ball-shaped piece of jewelry by Eunhee Cho, made from off-white Hanji paper, showcasing fine craftsmanship and a delicate woven texture.

4. Naoko Yoshizawa is a Japanese jeweler in Singapore. The soft colors and forms of Naoko's washi and silver pieces are so lovely that I can never resist including her latest designs.

A washi paper brooch by Naoko Yoshizawa depicting a stylized periwinkle blue flower with finely layered petals, a silver stem and leaf, and a textured gold leaf circular accent on a dark rectangular base.

Naoko's work is inspired by the traditional Japanese aesthetic of wabi-sabi. "I created a series of brooches featuring motifs drawn from the world of tea ceremony, such as tea flowers, tea gatherings, tea rooms, and roji (tea garden paths)."

The necklace is composed of oxidized silver 925 and hand-dyed paper, while the brooch includes a circle of 24k gold leaf. Naoko can be contacted via direct message on Instagram where she is @naoko_art_jewellery.

A unique necklace by Naoko Yoshizawa featuring multiple hand-dyed washi paper elements resembling delicate, multi-toned flower buds or shells in pastel shades, connected by an oxidized silver chain with small leaf details.

5. Liliana Broussard and Cristina Barcellari of Opella Milano in Milan, Italy create a seemingly never-ending stream of stylish jewelry pieces that sometimes include paper in their construction.

The simple, yet fabulous shape of these AYANA paper fabric pins makes them the perfect accent on a coat, scarf, or hat.

Three stylish 'AYANA' paper fabric pins by opella milano. Each pin features a curved circular shape in vibrant purple, mustard yellow, and textured orange, with two small silver beads on a central silver wire.

The eye-catching UBORO necklace (below) features a wooden ring covered with Japanese paper and accented by waxed cotton strings tied in prominent knots.

In addition to the website, you'll find Opella on Instagram, @opellamilano.

An eye-catching 'UBORO' necklace by opella milano, featuring a large, dark-toned wooden ring covered in patterned Japanese paper, suspended from thick black waxed cotton strings tied in a prominent knot.

6. Helga Rehmert in Germany is a jewelry designer who works with silver and gold to create modern pieces. However, she has a great many interests as her diverse Instagram grid shows, including papier mache sculpture, photography, and travel.

A long, vibrant red paper yarn necklace by Helga Rehmert, with a woven texture, accented by two sleek silver bands, shown hanging on a dark grey knitted garment.

I'm admiring her long paper yarn necklace that is accented with silver bands, and a shorter one that fastens with a paper-covered magnetic clasp. You'll find Helga on Instagram where she is @silverli_silverli.

A shorter, thick, golden-yellow paper yarn necklace by Helga Rehmert, showcasing a braided or woven texture, fastened with a distinctive paper-covered magnetic clasp featuring a black and gold pattern, against a dark background.

Do you have any favorite paper jewelry makers? I'm always ready to 'meet' more.. get in touch via Instagram where I am @allthingspaper or on Facebook, allthingspaper.

Beyond the Mainstream: Stunning Modern Paper Jewelry Finds

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