When you say “paper crafts” in the US, most people think scrapbooking. There are many other paper crafts you can explore. This badge program will give you a starting point only. If you’re interested in learning more, check out the listed badge programs and sets that are available for a more intensive experience.
NOTE: Links to existing badge programs may not been updated yet. The links will be changed when they are.
Steps
1. Printables and ephemera.
Enrichment Project: Create Printables
Enrichment Project: Ephemera Set
A printable is a file that you print on a sheet of paper, but not normally copy paper. You want something a little thicker like 28# or sometimes cardstock, depending on what the printable is. Printables include everything from paper games to assemblage pieces. Ephemera, vintage printed items that are used in crafting, may be included in printables. You don’t have to use printables as they are presented. You can include them in your art or engage others. Explore printables, ephemera, hybrid crafting, printable games and templates online.
2. Papermaking.
Enrichment Project: Papermaking
Making paper may not seem like a paper craft, but the pulp itself can be used to make cards, tags, shaped embellishments, etc. You can make paper from recycled mail, dryer lint, plants and more. Explore ways you can make paper.
3. Card making.
Enrichment Project: Card Making Basics
Card making is probably one of the largest areas of paper crafts. Search online to see examples of standard, shaped and even weird cards. Pinterest alone can give you hundreds, if not thousands, of card images to peruse as well as links to tutorials. Explore the Enrichment Project badge program listed with this step.
4. Artist trading cards.
Enrichment Project: Artist Trading Card Set
Artist trading cards are the size of a baseball card, 2.5″ x 3.5″ or 64mm x 89mm. If you’re interested in creating these, you can often find printable backgrounds to start with online. You can do any craft technique on the card as long as it remains the standard size. Many who exchange these cards feel that they need to be rather flat as well as they like to store them in baseball card binder sheets. Explore the many ways to you create an ATC.
5. Tags.
Gift tags, mailing tags . . . any sort of tag can be crafted. It might be as simple as a nicely written name to paper flowers embellishing the tag. You can make your own tags or purchase pre-made ones. Explore the many ways to decorate a tag.
6. Calendars.
Calendars are a great gift that can be personalized. You can find printable months online and craft around them. Explore handmade calendars online.
7. Art journals.
Enrichment Project: Art Journal Set
You can use an old book, a blank journal or even just sheets of paper to start an art journal. As the name states, these journals focus on art. You might draw, paint, or do one of many paper crafting techniques on the pages. In addition, you can journal anything from your thoughts to your favorite quotes. Brainstorm what you might want to include in your own art journal as well as the paper techniques you might want to use.
8. Mail art.
Improving the look of your mail is another paper craft. Mail art may be as simple as stamping on an envelope or it could be making your own postcard or even faux postage. Check out examples of mail art. Is this something you might like to do?
9. Paper jewelry.
Enrichment Project: Quilling Basics
Enrichment Project: Paper Beads
Paper crafting is a great way to make jewelry. Two ways include making your own paper beads and quilling pieces to include. Don’t stop there, though. There are a lot of ways to use paper in your jewelry. Explore the different ways and find one you’d like to try.
10. Scrapbooking.
Enrichment Project: Scrapbook Basics
Scrapbooks can be everything from a handmade book with photos to embellished pages to a framed paper memory. Anything that deals with photos and memories is generally lumped under scrapbooking. To learn more, start with the listed Enrichment Project badge program or go online and find out more.
11. Rubber stamping.
Enrichment Project: Rubber Stamp Set
When my girls were small, I spent years taking paper craft classes. Many surrounded rubber stamping. The variety of techniques and possibilities are almost endless. Don’t want to spend a lot of money? Start with putting ink on a new pencil eraser and make dots. You’ll see how easy it is to start this paper craft.
12. Punching.
Enrichment Project: Punching Set
Punching is a great paper craft to use with kids. All you need are the punches, papers and an example to show them the shapes they need and how to assemble something. Usually, we punch a lot of the same size circles and make a caterpillar. You might see these shapes on scrapbooks, cards, or just about any other paper craft that can accept attachments. Look through possibilities online.
Supplements
See specific badge programs listed in steps above which have their own supplements.
SUPP_PaperCraftExplorer_I_2in_12up_larajla
- Avery 2” Round Label Printable, 12 up
SUPP_PaperCraftExplorer_I_Checklist_larajla
- Badge Checklist
Sites to Explore
- www.craftcreations.com/Section/939/Free-Craft-Projects
- www.instructables.com/community/Cool-Free-Papercraft-Links
- www.favecrafts.com/Papercrafts
- www.buzzle.com/articles/paper-crafts
- www.bellaonline.com/articles/art12216.asp
- cp.c-ij.com/en/categories/CAT-ST01-5305/index.html
Get the infographic here > larajla blog post
Get the PDFs of the badge program / supplements here > Full badge PDFs