32˙ North Supplies: A Brief History of Paper Scraps

What we refer to as Victorian paper scraps were initially used in German bakeries to decorate cakes. They soon found their way to family albums and personal journals, as people used them to decorate the chronicles of their travels, visitors, their daily lives and important events of the day. Colorful paper scraps and Dresden foil die cuts were also used to embellish greeting cards, valentines, and ornaments to celebrate important holidays, such as Christmas and Easter.

Assembling scrapbooks was a popular pastime in the Victorian home and these small colorful paper scraps lent themselves to other craft projects, as well. They were included in decoupaging of trays, screens and boxes.

Most paper scraps are chromolithographs, stamped with embossed reliefs. They have a coating of gelatin and gum that gives them their glossy finish. When they are passed through a special pressing machine that punches and stamps them, it cuts away the extra paper and leaves them connected on the sheet with small paper links.

Vintage and new designs are still being printed in Germany and Britain, in the same manner they have been made since the 19th century. We use them constantly in our own projects, and are happy to provide you with a large selection of traditional Victorian paper scraps from both Germany and Great Britian and a wide variety of the finest authentic Dresden gold and silver foil embellishments available today.

Easter theme with children and bunnies ~ Made in Germany.