Handmade and Heartfelt: Paper Treasures of 2025

And just like that, another year begins. But before we completely turn our backs on 2025, I'm staying true to my annual tradition of highlighting the (mostly) handcrafted things I both gave and received during the holidays - along with a few items of interest from earlier in the year - all of which are made of paper. 

 

A stack of three colorful origami boxes handmade from botanical magazine pages featuring floral and nature patterns. 

 
Boxes at the Ready - The Paper Assembly 
 
 

Because I have a habit of gifting paper jewelry to friends and relatives, I folded this little stack of boxes to have at the ready, relying on a free Origami Box Tutorial by Debra Glanz of The Paper Assembly. Sturdy pages from a botanical art magazine worked perfectly for this task. Debra has an Etsy shop, also called The Paper Assembly, where you'll find her very special handmade boxes.


 

The Perfect Pop of Color - Monday Morning Press

 

A collection of twelve pairs of colorful, patterned paper stud earrings displayed on white Monday Morning Press cards. 

 

Longtime readers know I'm a fan of Monday Morning Press paper earrings. Often, whenever I need a present for a friend or relative, I head to MMP to have fun choosing what I hope will be just the right pair of earrings for that person. Natalie Monday, owner and designer, always has such unique options available with new styles arriving all the time. 

 

This Christmas I purchased no less than four pairs of colorful stud earrings, and earlier in the year a very pretty, all-gold pair found its way into my cart.  

 

Gold fan-shaped paper earrings on a display card next to a green thank you card. 

 

Use this link to access the Monday Morning Press website and enter code ALLTHINGSPAPER at checkout to get 15% off your order. (Note: Applies to one-time orders and first subscription order only. Limited to one use per customer.) You'll also find Monday Morning Press earrings on Etsy. Delivery is free to U.S. customers.


 

Intricate Impressions - Roger la Borde's Lasercut Cards

 

A 3D laser-cut greeting card featuring three birds perched among berries and leaves. 

 

I received this cheerful Roger la Borde lasercut card from one of our daughters-in-law who knows how much I appreciate pretty paper goods. The London company also offers several cards that showcase book sculptures by paper artist Su Blackwell (featured previously)... you'll find them by scrolling down on this page. 

 

 

Curves and Coils - Licia Politis's Quilled Jewelry 

 

 

Earlier in the year my friend and expert quiller Licia Politis in Sydney, Australia sent these lovely pairs of serpentine earrings that are her own clever design.

 

Two organza gift bags containing pairs of serpentine-shaped quilled earrings in neutral and navy blue tones. 

 
She also made this paper ring coil necklace in shades of blue for me. The tightly coiled quilling strips are linked with wider strips and paper twine turns the handsome piece into wearable art. What doesn't show in this photo is that the discs have such a nice sheen thanks to the machine-cut strip edges. Licia's quilling has been featured many times on this blog.  
  

A statement necklace made of various blue and teal quilled paper discs linked with wider paper strips and hung on paper twine.

 

 

Masterful Filigree - Quilling Card's Fair Trade Art

 

 

Last autumn I was invited to be an affiliate of the Fair Trade Federation's Quilling Card company, which led to my featuring the cards in a blog post and helping to promote the business across social media. I was sent several boxes of note cards to see their fine quality for myself.


 Three elegant white and blue quilled snowflake note cards with light blue envelopes.

 

Simply put, the cards are stunning. I sent them to friends/family and have been hearing from recipients how beautiful they are. The handcrafted quillwork is top notch without an errant speck of glue in sight. Both the cards and envelopes are made of high-quality premium paper.

 

Three quilled bird note cards showing paper birds perched on floral branches with light blue envelopes. 

 

Three holiday-themed quilled note cards featuring a pinecone, a poinsettia, and a sprig of mistletoe. 

 

A friend liked her card so much she framed it - and just look at the perfect one she found!  

 

 

A framed quilled pinecone card in a brushed gold frame with a 3D pinecone detail.

 

 Whimsy in Watercolor - michele with a single l

 

 

In early November, I featured a number of paper jewelry artists. Included in the group was watercolor artist and jewelry maker Michele of Etsy shop michele with a single l. She was so pleased to be included and asked me to choose a gift from her shop as a thank you. 

 

 Long, colorful geometric paper earrings displayed on a hand-painted watercolor portrait of a woman with teal hair.

 

This was such a kind offer and definitely not expected! I selected these earrings and love the way Michele paints a different gal as a unique way of displaying each pair she creates. She also sent a package of adorable Santa stickers that feature her art... Michele truly is one of a kind.

 

A sheet of festive Santa stickers featuring hand-painted holiday characters.

  
To thank her for her thank you, I wanted to send a little something I'd made in return so I enclosed a snowflake ornament in a MASU Christmas card. I like to quill snowflakes with my favorite Quilled Creations metallic edge strips that are available on Amazon as well.
 
 
Two intricate quilled snowflakes with metallic edges resting on a wood surface. 

 

 

Sustainable Celebrations: Holiday Cheer wih MASU

 

 

Speaking of MASU, you might recall the eco-friendly wrapping paper, cards, tags and stickers that I featured in November. MASU's owner, Libby Hampel, sent samples to show the fine quality of the products she designs. I appreciate that she ensures they are printed by companies that share our concern for the planet. 

 

An array of eco-friendly holiday products including wrapping paper rolls, cards, and round tags. 

 

The gift wrap was a pleasure to use and the same goes for the cards, etc. It's a great feeling to know you're doing right by the environment when you order from MASU. There is also an Etsy shop, Give Masu.

 

  

A collection of gifts wrapped in patterned papers with festive tags and ribbons.

 

Gilded Gestures for Friends Near and Far 

 

 

In recent months, I've had the chance to get to know an online friend in Germany who shares my interest in paper art. Along with sending her a snowflake Quilling Card for Christmas, I made a pair of gilded-edge ivory quilled earrings using the same Quilled Creations strips mentioned above. 

  

 

A pair of ivory quilled filigree earrings with gilded edges placed next to string of pearls on pink background.

 

After sealing the envelope, I realized I'd forgotten to take a photo so later I asked her to snap one. As you can see, they arrived in perfect condition - proof that not only is quilled jewelry surprisingly sturdy, but so are the Quilling Card company's cards and envelopes! I had protected the pair with a thin layer of foam padding, put it inside a small folder, and slipped that inside the card.     
 
If you would like to make these earrings, here's my free tutorial that includes several different styles. 
 
 
A pair of white quilled flower earrings and a golden quilled key pendant on a patterned background. 
 
 

Longtime readers might remember my New York friend Allison Patrick whose talents have been featured on this blog a number of times. Her projects include beauties like architectural quilling, paper artichoke centerpieces, a layered circles ornament (that swept the internet by storm!), not to mention her premier crepe paper flower events company, Aster + Quail. 

 

Behind the scenes, Allie was a huge help to me in turning one of my marriage certificate designs into this blog's header image. When the site was updated in 2025, she again came to my rescue. To thank her, I made a pair of silver-gilded ivory earrings (a project included in my book, The Art of Quilling Paper Jewelry), and a golden key necklace pendant (a variation of the key tutorial in my All Things Paper book). 

 
 
Home and Family Highlights 
 

 

A light sage green baby gift bag with illustrations of hot air balloons, rainbows, and rabbits.

 

 

A young couple in our lives welcomed a son in October. I've always loved wrapping baby gifts; this time I purchased a cute bag and cut an asymmetric heart tag from striped cardstock.

 

 

A close-up of an asymmetric striped heart gift tag tied to a gift bag with ombre paper twine.


 

I hung it from one of the handles using dip-dye paper twine from Etsy shop, Paperuli. Ulrike makes so many beautiful things from her own handmade recycled paper and was previously featured here.

 

A framed sea glass watercolor print with green and blue shapes next to a glass pendant light. 


Last summer we refreshed the kitchen with new paint, and this sea glass watercolor print was the perfect finishing touch. I found it at Etsy shop, LoveMoreByElzaan, and love the way the blue-green shades and brushed silver frame bring everything together.

 

A child's holiday artwork featuring a green handprint Christmas tree with red ornaments and the text "Leah 2025." 

 

Lastly, I can't help but show you this cute handprint Christmas tree that our daughter-in-law helped our toddler granddaughter make for us. I love that she is already starting Leah on the path to creativity.

 

Happy New Year, Everyone! 

 

 

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All Things Paper is an Amazon, Etsy, Monday Morning Press, and Quilling Card affiliate. 

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