Novelty Gifts Made From Celluloid – 1895
PDFAntique Celluloid Novelties For Easter
Magazine article from April 1895
Of late years Easter gifts have been growing in prominence and favor. Today, as of old, friend greets friend with some token of love, be it only a simple card with Easter greetings.
Easter Cards or Booket Covers
A dainty card may be made of a panel of celluloid mounted on wide satin ribbon with fringed ends. Flowers are particularly appropriate for decorating Easter cards, and the three designs shown at left would make beautiful cards or booklet covers. Those who have had little experience in coloring could carry out the designs in sepia with beautiful effect. A very decorative way of using color, much in vogue with those who do not understand shadowing, is to give a pale wash of the proper colors to the flowers and leaves, and outline them with a line of gold paint applied thickly to give a raised effect. This can be done by any one who can handle a brush, and the result will be a revelation to those who think they have no skill in this direction.
Candy Box
If bonbons or candy is to be given, send your gift in a pretty box or case. This illustration shows a pretty box which was a Christmas gift. Cut celluloid in the shape of a triangle, large or small as desired, and fold as indicated by the dotted lines of the diagram. Paint flowers on each side, with a pretty Easter sentiment on one side, and lace together at corners.
Diagram of candy box.
Heart Shape Photograph Frame
A very pretty frame for two photographs is heart-shaped, with a pansy border painted in natural colors. Two openings for the pictures are gilded on the edge, and the flowers may be outlined in gold. After the painting is done, lay the pictures in place, and paste heavy cardboard over the back. Make a cardboard support, also, or suspend by a ribbon pasted to the cardboard back. For a baby’s picture nothing could be more simple or appropriate than a frame with a row of tiny pink rosebuds around the sweet face.
Handkerchief Case
A very pretty and useful handkerchief case is made of several pieces of celluloid artistically painted, and put together envelope fashion. A puff of a pretty shade of silk forms the sides of the case, and is put on full to allow the case to spread. A pad of silk sprinkled with sachet powder is laid in the bottom.Veil Box
A simple receptacle for veils is made of a square of celluloid laced together at the corners, and decorated with flowers and verses. But a box is much better for veils, since the veils need not be folded so tightly as to crush them. Cut the celluloid by any old cardboard box. Make the cover a trifle larger than the bottom, lace the corners, and tie in long loops. Decorate the box in water colors, and print on the top in fancy letters, Trifles Light as Air. A pad of silk should be made to lay in the box; this, plentifully sprinkled with sachet powder, will give the veils a delicate perfume.
Celluloid can be cut and bent into any shape, and there is no limit to the pretty things that can be fashioned from it. One need never be at a loss in decorating celluloid, as it is transparent, and designs can be traced and copied from any pretty card or picture. In short, this delightful art work offers unlimited possibilities to the amateur as well as to the worker who finds in it a means of livelihood.
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