Paper Crafting Beautiful Boxes, Book Covers & Frames

With just two simple supplies, namely sheets of pretty paper and pieces of cardboard, and some common tools, including scissors, a utility knife, and glue, it's possible to create very stylish containers and other accessories thanks to Paper Crafting Beautiful Box, Book Covers, & Frames. In a handsome presentation, paper-craft artists Valeria Ferrari and Ersilia Fiorucci offer solid instructions on making binders, expanding files, letter holders, frames, and various types of boxes. The "Basics" section lays the groundwork, with specifics on paper and board types and how to manipulate them, working with cloth instead of paper, and troubleshooting, such as contending with glue stains or correcting an improperly aligned piece. More than a dozen projects progress from a moderate skill level through advanced, and each fully explained step is illustrated with a clear color photo. An "Ideas" section at the book's end showcases further creations, without directions this time but easily duplicated by following the other how-tos. An entire array of items covered with sheet music is particularly attractive, as are the pieces done with Tarot card wrapping paper. One caveat: the authors' preferred paper is "varese," which may not be readily available, but they do evaluate other types, and many wrapping papers should work just as well. --Amy Handy