Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

From $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

Pretty Packages: 45 Creative Gift-Wrapping Projects
Pretty Packages: 45 Creative Gift-Wrapping Projects
Pretty Packages: 45 Creative Gift-Wrapping Projects
Ebook332 pages56 minutes

Pretty Packages: 45 Creative Gift-Wrapping Projects

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

3/5

()

Read preview

About this ebook

With just a few simple steps, blogger Sally J Shim shows readers how to turn an ordinary package into a customized present as special as the gift within. From a stitched garland topper and watercolor wrapping paper to a confetti gift tag, each of the 45 creative and achievable projects offers a unique twist on gift wrapping. Plus, each project has multiple variations, leading to endless possibilities for prettying up packages. Including techniques for wrapping oddly shaped packages, ideas for creating reusable packaging (a bonus gift for the recipient!), and projects that require only basic materials, Pretty Packages will inspire gift givers as well as Etsy shop owners to make every element of their package special.
LanguageEnglish
Release dateSep 9, 2014
ISBN9781452130545
Pretty Packages: 45 Creative Gift-Wrapping Projects

Related to Pretty Packages

Related ebooks

Crafts & Hobbies For You

View More

Related articles

Related categories

Reviews for Pretty Packages

Rating: 2.75 out of 5 stars
3/5

4 ratings0 reviews

What did you think?

Tap to rate

Review must be at least 10 words

    Book preview

    Pretty Packages - Sally J Shim

    for

    SANG, JEREMIAH, and JUDAH

    Text and how-to photographs copyright © 2014 by Sally J Shim.

    All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher.

    Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data available.

    ISBN 978-1-4521-2599-2 (hc)

    ISBN 978-1-4521-3054-5 (epub, mobi)

    Designed by Hillary Caudle

    Photographs by Madelene Farin

    3M Scotch Adhesive Transfer Tape, 3M Scotch Adhesive Transfer Tape ATG 700 Dispenser, and 3M Scotch Tape are registered trademarks of 3M Co. Speedball Lino Cutter Handle and Cutters are registered trademarks of Speedball Art Products Co., LLC. X-ACTO knife is a registered trademark of Elmer’s Products, Inc. Xyron Sticker Machine is a registered trademark of Xyron Inc.

    Chronicle Books LLC

    680 Second Street

    San Francisco, California 94107

    www.chroniclebooks.com

    CONTENTS

    INTRODUCTION 4

    MATERIALS AND TOOLS 6

    GIFT WRAP TECHNIQUES 10

    PROJECTS PART 1

    WRAPPING PAPER

    Hand-Carved Stamped Wrapping Paper 25

    Photograph Wrapping Paper 27

    Stitched Wrapping Paper 28

    Patterned Wrapping Paper 31

    Graph Paper Gift Wrap 32

    Dotty Wood Wrapping Paper 33

    Handmade Glitter Tape Gift Wrap 34

    Vellum Stickers Wrapping Paper 37

    Label Stickers Gift Wrap 38

    Letter Stickers Gift Wrap 39

    Polka-Dot Stickers Gift Wrap 40

    Painted Dots Gift Wrap 41

    Watercolor Wrapping Paper 42

    Hand-Painted Furoshiki 45

    PROJECTS PART 2

    GIFT BOXES, BAGS, AND TOPPERS

    Custom Cardstock Gift Box 51

    Felt Gift Box 53

    Washi Tape–Wrapped Tin 55

    Custom Drawstring Bag 57

    Personalized Fabric Bag 61

    Washi Tape Glassine Bag 63

    Stitched Felt Pouch 65

    Yarn Pom-Pom Topper 69

    Felt Letter Gift Topper 71

    Fabric Flag Gift Topper 73

    Wood Veneer Bow Gift Topper 75

    Fabric Button Gift Topper 78

    Tissue Paper Flower Gift Topper 81

    Paper Rosette Gift Topper 83

    Stitched Paper Garland 86

    Felted Ball Garland 89

    Brownie Mix Glass Jar Kit 91

    Baked Goods Packaging 94

    PROJECTS PART 3

    GIFT TAGS AND RIBBON

    DIY Gift Tags 98

    Confetti Gift Tag 100

    Paint Chip Gift Tag 102

    Wood Gift Tag 104

    Personalized Leather Gift Tag 106

    Clay Gift Tag 109

    Handmade Patterned Washi Tape 111

    Hand-Painted Patterned Twill Tape 112

    Hand-Dyed Twill Tape 115

    Painted Wooden Bead Ribbon Ends 117

    Linen Ribbon 118

    Custom Paper Envelope 120

    Nail Polished Brads 122

    RESOURCES 125

    ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 127

    ABOUT THE AUTHOR 128

    INTRODUCTION

    Making things and being inventive was a part of my upbringing. My father was an academic by day and a self-taught architect, carpenter, and handyman by night. My mother sewed our clothes when we were younger, and my sister and I have the photographs of all our matching outfits to prove it. Little did I know that several decades later I would be doing the same thing with my two sons.

    While living as an academic, I started to share my creative endeavors on my personal blog. Blogging for me was a creative outlet, and much to my surprise, I became part of an extensive online community of creative women. Through my blog, I began to realize my creative hobbies could become a business, and I soon found great pleasure in making one-of-a-kind items by hand and selling them to people and to retail stores. One of my favorite things about selling my handmade goods, many of which were paper items, was finding creative ways to package the orders. Fueled by my love of distinctive packaging and thoughtful branding, I spent hours thinking of ways to package each product. Several years later, I started teaching packaging classes with fellow designer Joke Vande Gaer of Tokketok. Though I’ve taken a break from selling my own goods, I continue to blog and work on creative projects in my home studio in Busan, South Korea.

    In a time when we rely on instant communication via e-mails, text messages, and tweets, it is good to slow down and put meaning into our actions. I admit I have a slight obsession when it comes to packaging—I love pretty packages and believe the packaging of a gift is an extension of the gift itself. What you see on the outside is a prelude to what is inside. I have been known to buy a product based on the packaging alone, and I always take note of how products or gifts are packaged. In almost everything in life, I believe presentation is important.

    This book is filled with simple projects that can easily be completed no matter your skill level. Many take just a few minutes to complete! Each project also includes additional bright ideas—small variations for further customization or using alternate materials you may already have on hand. As you go through the book, feel free to mix and match projects and bright ideas to create the perfect package for any occasion—there’s no need to wrap them as I’ve done in the photos. Try adding a clay gift tag to your watercolor gift wrap or a simple wood veneer bow to stitched gift wrap. You can hand-stamp fabric and use hand-dyed twill tape to make a custom drawstring bag. The combinations are endless.

    I don’t believe gift wrapping has to be fancy; in fact, I prefer simple packaging. But techniques and ideas also depend on how much time you have. For most of the projects in this book, you don’t have to spend a lot of time wrapping your gift, but with a few simple steps, a gift can go from plain to special. If I have a little more time, I might opt to sew a personalized drawstring bag or pouch that becomes part of the gift.

    I favor minimal and modern packaging and often try to make use of materials I have in my studio. There’s no need to buy fancy tools and materials you’ll only use once. Having a stash of supplies on hand will make it easier for you to create a compelling package. In my studio, I have a wide array of paper and craft supplies that I can use to wrap a gift. Visit your local craft or art supply shop for basic packaging items, but for inspiration, also drop by fabric, yarn, party supply, floral supply, office, or paper stores. I love to visit hardware and woodworking stores as well as restaurant and baking supply stores to find interesting and unexpected materials perfect for wrapping gifts. And if you don’t live close to any of these stores, don’t fret, because a wide selection of gift-wrapping supplies is available online. (I’ve shared my favorite

    Enjoying the preview?
    Page 1 of 1