Heirloom Paperweights

Hi Susan,

I thought I would share some things I've tried and some of the ideas I've worked out for a class in making Heirloom Paperweights that I'm teaching later this month at our local bead shop.

The background for the "Grandmother's Love" Photoweight (above) was made using publishing software and includes a very small beaded cabochon. The photos are of my grandmother holding me and me with my first granddaughter.

The class is looking particularly at ideas for Mother's Day. I often give photoweights as personalized gifts. I try either to make something that is both interesting and beautiful, or something, a photo, a mini scrapbook page or a memento that will particularly touch the receiver.

Karen Mosher

Keepsake Paperweights Preserve Family History

(2/29/08) For several years, I have directed my family’s annual reunion. We meet each year in a small town in the Arkansas Ozarks, population 360. This is a community that was homesteaded by my ancestors in the early 1800s. Many descendants still live in the area yet others have dispersed to places far away.

Though we always have a good attendance, the older ones are leaving us and it’s a challenge to pique the interest and participation of the younger generations. Upon first becoming involved, I provided stories of family history as an enticement. Next was the raffle for gift certificates from local merchandisers. But like nothing else, the PhotoWeight keepsake has become one of the most desired gifts year after year. Each annual edition has its own uniquely designed photo that captures the history and natural beauty of the Ozarks. The PhotoWeight is placed in a velour bag matching the color and theme of the year’s design and presented to every family that registers at the reunion. Family members have begun their own collections of the keepsakes. It’s become a hobby for some and attracts others that have not been regular attendees before. It’s a wonderful way of preserving family history and passing it along to the generations still to come.

I’m looking forward to others sharing their stories so that I might borrow their PhotoWeight craft ideas.

Michael Moser

Share Your Stories and Ideas

I wanted to share a post with you that comes from Chris. If you have a story of your own you'd like to share, please leave a comment and tell us about it. You can also send your stories and photos of your paperweight projects to me at susan@photoweights.com.

(2/23/08) I purchased my first two paperweights from PhotoWeights the end of last year and filled them with a group photograph of me with my closest friends and gave it to them as a Christmas gift. They loved it - it was a wonderful keepsake and very different. Earlier this month I went to an upscale shop near where I live and saw a paperweight for sale that was very dull and one-dimensional. I decided I could do better and purchased my next 5 paperweights in an assortment of styles. Then I went to my local craft store and traveled the aisles looking for ideas. I was amazed how many things can be inserted into these paperweights to give a wonderful 3-dimensional look. I designed my 5 paperweights and showed them to my friends to be critiqued. Some were big hits (and some weren't). I now have lots of ideas for making more paperweights for events and maybe even to put into these "upscale" shops. Regardless what I do with them, I love the creativity in designing the paperweights and the fun I have giving them as gifts. I'd love to hear about other people's designs and what kind of events they use them for. - Chris

We're Finally Blogging!

Welcome to PhotoWeights' blog.

This will be a place for us to keep you up-to-date on our keepsake paperweight kits. We'll bring you creative project ideas, let you know about new products we've discovered, and share personal stories and photographs.

It is our hope that we can create a sense of community on our blog by encouraging everyone to share and submit their own paperweight projects, ideas, tips, and tricks. We also invite your comments and suggestions.

Susan Eastin
susan@photoweights.com