Pretty Paper Jewelry I'd Wear in a Heartbeat

It's high time we look at another round up of pretty paper jewelry... my favorite type of post and judging by page views, many of you enjoy them too. As always, there's a high percentage of paper earrings - understandable, as earrings generally stay out of harm's way. That said, I wear all kinds of paper jewelry... necklaces, brooches, and bracelets as they always seem to draw nice attention.

 

 

Meg Jorgensen of Fire Bench and Brush in Murfreesboro, Tennessee makes an array of pieces using different techniques, but what especially caught my eye (of course!) was her hand painted paper jewelry. 

 

These abstract floral earrings are lovely. Lots of steps go into making them after the watercolor is completed... shapes are cut, edges sanded, acrylic sealer applied, edges painted, eyelets put in, and finally, argentium ear wires are attached.

 

To create these tubular earrings, Meg painted watercolor paper using cool blues and greens before cutting the paper to size and rolling it. They are also are sealed for water resistance, topped with wrapped wire coils and attached to argentium ear wires.

 

In addition to her Etsy shop (currently shipping to the U.S. only), you'll find Meg on Instagram where she is @meg_firebenchandbrush. Her Facebook page is Meg Jorgensen Designs.

 

 

KunikO of KOrigami Studio in Ithaca, New York creates an array of origami jewelry using high quality Chiyogami/washi paper, Kyoto Yuzen, along with pretty findings. Born in Kyoto, Japan, she started her small business to share the beauty of Japanese culture. 

 

 

How pretty are these graceful fans and origami butterflies? KunikO also makes a similar butterfly style, but with paperclip findings. Prefer something smaller? These cool color studs that feature 24K gold plating are perfect. She protects folded paper with varnish to preserve its texture, whereas studs are coated with resin for a glossy shine.

 

U.S. delivery is free and worldwide shipping is available from her Etsy shop. You'll also find her on Instagram where she is @korigami_studio.

 

 

The terms paper beads and elegant aren't often used together, but I would say both apply here. Ilaria Provera (Instagram) in Arona, Italy is able to create perfectly rolled, textured beads in a variety of shapes that are sleek and modern... how gorgeous!

 

 

I'm also admiring the highly textured, interlocking paper cut components that she turns into stylish necklaces, such as this choker style.  

Ilaria can be contacted via Instagram, where she is @ilaprovera.

Marj Engle of Marj Engle Designs in Carlsbad, New Mexico creates vibrant leaf and flower earrings in a method she calls Paper Mosaics. She uses carefully selected papers from discarded magazines and books, as well as vinyl flooring scraps.

 

 

Marj makes jewelry pieces in many color combinations and welcomes custom requests. Because I read that brown and burgundy will be two of the most sought after colors for Autumn '24, I chose these two pairs to show you. They're examples of the small and large size earrings, and are protected by Mod Podge and a UV resistant acrylic spray.

 

In addition to her Etsy shop, you'll find Marj on Instagram where she is @marjengle. Even more examples of her work (not just jewelry) can be seen at The Artist Gallery in Carlsbad.

 

A summer lover through and through, I just have to show you this necklace, a piece in the Kintugi Marea Collection from Paperini Paper Jewels Design in Biella, Italy. It makes me think of the ocean and warm, sunny days.... ahhh bliss.  

 

Paperini was launched in 2016 by Silvia, a graphic designer, who uses wallpaper to create her modern jewelry. For autumn, this pair of black, white and taupe paper earrings would be perfect. Metal findings are hypoallergenic, nickel-free surgical steel.

Follow along with Silvia on Instagram, @paperinidesign.

 

Last, but certainly not least, Maritza Moreno of Arpa, Arte con Papel (Instagram) in Colombia creates paper jewelry by using an ingenious weaving technique. She loves the sustainable aspect of working with discarded paper, such as shopping bags or medical prescription leaflets, to make paper twine that she then knits into various shapes.

 

 

 

Maritza taught herself the method by watching YouTube videos and practicing. In this Instagram reel, see how she makes the twine and does the weaving. Fascinating!

She is just beginning to build an online presence. You'll find her on Instagram, @arpa_arteconpapel.

 

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