Handmade Giftwrap, Bows, Cards & Tags

This idea-filled guide demonstrates wonderful ways to turn all sorts of papers (butcher, specialty, handmade, foil, watercolor, even pretty mass-produced gift wrap), fabrics, paints, and trimmings (ribbons, wire, pipe cleaners, rickrack, natural materials, assorted found objects) into unusual and inventive packaging. Sometimes the supplies make the look with little other involvement needed: simple coppery tissue paper tied with metallic ribbon and bedecked with a satin rose, for instance. Other times the paper itself is the field for creativity--a whole chapter is devoted to painting, texturing, stamping, and even stitching to make eye-catching papers. Still other packages boast imaginative gift tags and package toppers, such as wooden fish, beaded snowflakes, Christmas light bulbs, and a scarf wrapped around glittery white paper adorned with three buttons to suggest a snowman. Directions are good and photos are clear and colorful. It may be more time-consuming to create your own wrappings, but Jill Williams Grover shows us that it's certainly worthwhile. --Amy Handy