Over the past year of creating, I’ve tried all different kinds of things in my artwork: patterned paper, recycled scraps from magazines, junk mail and catalogs, textured paper that comes in the way of greeting cards, ads, even from other sellers who wrap their goods. But by far, using antique (over 100 years old) or vintage papers and ephemera are my favorite things to use.
You already know I love old postcards, especially antique ones from France, and I have amassed over 50 the past year, but I’ve recently come across these other great finds to use in my artwork. Like these gorgeous antique receipts:
Look at that lovely embossing and fancy font!
And lovely stamps and handwriting…
Some are even from the 1800′s! I’m a nerd, I know…
Because of their rare, one-of-a-kind nature, I’ll scan these and reuse in a variety of ways. But with vintage cookbooks, I tend to use the actual papers with their stains and patina, which I like to use in some of my pieces.
Some are old school…
Some are 50′s housewife cheeky…
I have a problem. A vintage paper ephemera addiction.
Admit me. Now.
And while this guy isn’t paper, it’s still vintage ephemera that I like to incorporate into my artwork. Ain’t he purty??
And…it’s eco-friendly!! Reducing/reusing/repurposing!!
Like I said, I’m weird. But I know I’m not the only one. 
