Here's a really simple gift idea for someone who loves vintage ephemera (old paper). The idea is so simple, in fact, that I can't even believe I made a tutorial for it. But if it gets your antique paper collection out of the boxes in your basement, then maybe it will be worth it.
One of my favorite searches on eBay includes the names of my family members' hometowns. A few months ago, I did a search for Hammonton, NJ, which is the town where my mother and sister, Megan, live. Megan is married to Guy, a third-generation farmer who grew up in Hammonton. While searching on eBay, I came across a bundle of vintage labels for several different beers that were brewed and bottled in a factory in Hammonton.
My plan was to somehow display the labels in a frame and give it to Guy for his birthday. I didn't have time or money to spend on a custom matted frame, especially for someone who is not a blood relative. But I think it turned out nice enough that Megan would allow it to be hung inside their house, instead of being relegated to the garage or the bathroom at the farm.
Here are the supplies I used:
Vintage beer labels 11x14 frame from a discount store Black fabric Stapler Glue Dots Cut the piece of black fabric a few inches bigger than the mat. Staple the fabric to the mat. If your frame doesn't have a mat, you can hot-glue the fabric to a piece of cardboard cut to the same size as the glass. Line up the labels on the fabric: I used double-sided glue dots to attach the labels to the fabric (one on each corner): And that's it! It was hard to get a good photo because of the reflection of the glass, but I think you get the idea. From what I remember on the night of Guy's birthday party (details are a bit hazy), he said it was the best birthday present he ever got. Sorry, Meg. These vintage soda bottle labels are my next project (for me to keep). I like the black background, but I might consider using a more colorful fabric. I'll let you know how that one goes... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ For those of you who are having problems with my feed in Bloglines, you can unsubscribe and then create a new subscription using this link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/freshvintage. I want to write about RSS feeds on freshblogtips.com, but I am so frustrated and confused right now. I don't think it would be very helpful to publish a curse-word-filled rant about blog feeds.
You could also use postcards, Victorian calling cards, canned vegetable & fruit labels, flashcards, playing cards, or any other ephemera. You'll be attaching glue dots to the back of the paper, so don't use anything too valuable.
Mine had a cardboard mat that made it easier to attach the fabric. But you don't need a mat.
Alternatives to fabric: use wrapping paper or scrapbook paper. You don't want anything too busy or else it will distract from the labels.
Beautiful tutorial! Informative, colorful, and inspirational! Thanks!
Amy
Posted by: ALVN of WhisperWood Cottage | October 18, 2008 at 09:04 PM
Wow, what a great, easy idea! Thanks for the *how-to's* :-)
Posted by: Colette | October 19, 2008 at 11:44 AM
FWIW, your feed updated all at once today, along with all the others that I had been having problems with. I emailed bloglines last week about the problem, but havent heard back yet.
Posted by: Sarah | October 19, 2008 at 09:28 PM
What a neat idea. I love ebay and searching for a town name is awesome.
Posted by: Heather | October 19, 2008 at 09:51 PM
What a neat idea. I have a box of old utility bills from our old house in Chicago dating back from the 50's and 60's. My Mom saved everything. Now I'm saving them, waiting for just the right project.
Posted by: Debbie in Florida | October 20, 2008 at 07:13 AM
I love this idea! Thanks for the creative jumpstarts...
Posted by: Tracy Whitney | October 20, 2008 at 08:27 AM
That is really cool. I really need to find some good - vintage ephemera.
Posted by: sarahjaneandbentley | October 20, 2008 at 01:36 PM
It looks great! I love this idea.
Posted by: Jersey Girl in DC | October 20, 2008 at 01:39 PM
Very nice!
Love the look of the labels against the black background.
Easy to do, but big impact...my kind of project!
Kimberly :)
Posted by: Niesz Vintage Home | October 20, 2008 at 01:57 PM
Thats a great idea!
Posted by: The Vintage Kitten | October 20, 2008 at 11:41 PM
That's a really good idea. I would never have thought of that.
Posted by: Esther | October 22, 2008 at 03:31 AM
These look great! Wonderful idea!
Posted by: Mary Shows | October 23, 2008 at 12:12 PM
What a great tutorial, thank you so much.
Posted by: Linda | October 27, 2008 at 01:33 PM
this is EXACTLY what i needed for inspiration. i love vintage labels, this will work wonders - thank you!
Posted by: rachel carlson | November 04, 2008 at 10:25 PM
I love vintage labels! It's the graphic designer in me I suppose.
What a fun blog~
Cathy
Posted by: cathy nash | November 05, 2008 at 08:35 PM