Highlights: My Class in Berlin
Hello everyone! I was in Berlin again and now that I’m back home I want to share some highlights! This time, I taught a gift wrapping class for Anthropologie at the amazing Barcomi’s cafe where they had a “pop up cafe” this week to celebrate the launch of their new German online shop. I was able to chat briefly with owner, author and baking queen Cynthia Barcomi (a highlight!) before I got started and then, my students arrived and we made pretty and inspiring gift packaging and tags using torn fabric, masking tape, decorative papers, maps, paper punches, rubber stamps, cocktail napkins, lace, yarn, etc.
Below is a photo of me with my dear students (I’m in the center in green). There were 8 of us, but a few others joined in like my friend Sandra Juto and fashion blogger Camilla along with Jana and Massimiliano, so there were 13 of us total and it was such a fun bunch!
On the table you can see all of the things that we made. Each student made 4 projects, some did 5 — a box, a gift tag, a lunch bag and a sheet of patchwork paper. The patchwork “quilted” paper ideas was one that I learned from my dear friend Leslie Shewring that she taught in her washi tape class in St. Paul this past Fall at The Creative Connection event. I can’t take any credit for that idea but Leslie told me I could teach them how to do it so I did and they had a good time making their patchwork sheet of wrapping paper. Above you can see me with Anna Sterntaler, Simone Haffner, Annie Raymond, Toni, Ursula Markgraf, Julianne, Anja, Urszula Lotysz-Bossart.
My idea was to show them how to make gifts look pretty without always running out to the store for the typical roll of wrapping paper and pre-made bows and tags and so I taught them how to create beautiful gifts using what they may already have at home. I thought this was very much a part of the Anthropologie way of thinking as well — to be creative with what you already have because Anthro is known to be such an inspiring place to shop since they’re very creative with their own store displays using random objects to create gorgeous installations.
Here are some pictures of the things that I made. I used basic white boxes from a discount store and applied tapes, papers, torn fabrics and even cocktail napkins to decorate them. In Germany, white paper bags are everywhere right now for Advent so I used them to decorate as well. I told students that these bags are great for giving baked goods – just wrap cookies or chocolates and place inside with a sheet of pretty tissue paper or shredded paper.
I naturally went with my soft color palette with a punch of hot pink or turquoise. I think it’s important to go with what your instinct tells you and wrap gifts in a way that not only reflects your personal style but that shows the recipient that you thought of them in a special way and made the outside look just as nice as the gift waiting within.
The gift above was topped with torn fabrics as ribbon and a silver star.
The box above in purple and orange was wrapped using two cocktail napkins. One for the bottom, the other for the top, in two different patterns to add interest. If the cocktail napkin doesn’t cover the box entirely, that’s okay — you can trim it out with tapes, found papers and ribbons and it will look great!
I had such a great time, thank you to Massimiliano (Grazie mille!) for helping organize everything and for my students (Danke schön!) for joining me and Anthropologie at Barcomi’s for a crafty class!
(photos with white borders: anna sterntaler/all others: holly becker)
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November 27th, 2011 at 2:44pm
Looks like you had a great time – and those tags and boxes are cute! :-)
tinajo´s last [type] ..One done – three to go..!
November 27th, 2011 at 2:55pm
They are all lovely! So nice ideas and simple and cute! We may not have been in the class but thanks to this post we learnt a lot and I am now ready for Christmas time gift wrapping! Thank you Holly!
Maria´s last [type] ..Το αγαπημένο μου app (έχει να κάνει με τον ύπνο!) – My favorite app (sleep related!)
November 27th, 2011 at 3:17pm
fantastic wrapping ideas and i want that koi fish cup with painted scaley handle!!!!
kim baise´s last [type] ..mini mobiles
November 27th, 2011 at 3:25pm
Nice idea :)
Have a nice day :)
Ege Denne´s last [type] ..Det ble lys..
November 27th, 2011 at 3:40pm
What a nice class! I hope you come sometime to Spain and then I will able to go to one of your classes.
Have a great sunday!
Greetings from Spain.
Ría´s last [type] ..I want it.
November 27th, 2011 at 3:41pm
thanks so much Holly for letting me be a part of your Crafts & Fun Group at Barcomi’s .. it was a great time and experience!
Hope to meet once again soon.. stay in touch!
Best xoxo
Cam
Cam´s last [type] ..German Press Days: ”kidneykaren” …
November 27th, 2011 at 4:30pm
Some nice ideas for personalized christmas gifts :D
Your class looks like fun, envy so much that i cant be there :(
November 27th, 2011 at 5:13pm
Fresh ideas, beautiful colors. I love it! I’m a fan of washi tape, but don’t own any (yet)…..
Mitzi Curi´s last [type] ..Decorating With Books, Part One
November 27th, 2011 at 6:03pm
I love when things look vintage – used – old – handmade, and show the beauty of imperfection! Great inspiration Holly… thank you!
andriana {lifelikes}´s last [type] ..Fall is falling….
November 27th, 2011 at 7:01pm
Love the colors! Great ideas. The birds in the purple and orange combination are lovely. Thanks, Holly : )
Misty DuBois´s last [type] ..Black Forest Painting
November 27th, 2011 at 9:22pm
GREAT …I love it ….greetings tani
November 27th, 2011 at 10:01pm
Love the designs and those ‘unusual’ Christmas colors – it’s so GREAT to see something unique made out of ‘daily life’ things…
Have a wonderful Advent – Time!
Anette´s last [type] ..Washi Tape fever
November 28th, 2011 at 1:30am
Holly,
This is so special! Thank you for sharing your wonderful creativity!!
Love,
Nicole B
November 28th, 2011 at 3:07am
Oh Holly – what deliciousness! I’m drinking in every detail – thanks so much for sharing ?. J x
Jane´s last [type] ..Some Saturday soul food: Elisabeth Kuebler-Ross
November 28th, 2011 at 4:48am
This is fabulous Holly. It looks like it could have been a whole lot of fun making this crafts as well.
Rose´s last [type] ..St. George’s Cathedral Save The Roof Market
November 28th, 2011 at 8:14am
This looks like a great class! Great ideas. One of my favourite things about the holiday season is all of the gift wrapping- I love it!
Hannah @ Sparrow + Spark!´s last [type] ..Lackluster
November 28th, 2011 at 9:41am
This looks like it was a fab time! I think the prize ribbon is adorable; such a good idea. I’m also loving the fabric strips. I’d planned on incorporating more fabric this year, but hadn’t really decided how -I’ll definitely be trying a few of these things myself! Thanks for sharing!
Juliette´s last [type] ..DIY Advent Calendar Round-up 2011 (part 2) – What German Bloggers are Creating
November 28th, 2011 at 10:20am
It was a REALLY inspirational class! Thank you Holly! I already ordered some masking tape & stamps for wrapping this year’s gifts! :-))
November 28th, 2011 at 10:49am
Wowooooo~Love all of these! Beautiful color, and so esquisite! LOVE~
Judy´s last [type] ..Lovely fire balloons for kids
November 28th, 2011 at 11:37am
Very nice ideas for christmas gift!
Stéphanie Rousseau´s last [type] ..La forêt Gribouille
November 28th, 2011 at 1:22pm
This looks so much fun! If you ever do this in the UK I’d love to attend.
Such beautiful things too. My favorite is this: http://www.flickr.com/photos/decor8/6411092527/ So pretty! Thanks for sharing
November 28th, 2011 at 2:45pm
The boxes and tags are very nice and creative design. It seem fun and really a productive day for you.
Jko´s last [type] ..how to get a girl to like you
November 28th, 2011 at 8:08pm
holly, i so love this post.
you always remind me to play more.
thank you for that.
the chronic utilitarian´s last [type] ..freshy fresh
November 29th, 2011 at 4:33am
Love these ideas! Thanks for sharing and capturing the moments in your lovely photos. I’m now inspired to wrap (although I still have much Christmas shopping to do! :) )
Heidi´s last [type] ..Christmas Table Decorations in Bright White and Festive Reds – Ivy Lace
November 29th, 2011 at 11:30am
It was so much fun! Thank you so much Holly for teaching us all of those great techniques! I’ve already picked up some washi tape… now I just need to finish my Christmas shopping, and I’ll be ready to make the most beautiful gifts I’ve ever made!
November 29th, 2011 at 4:24pm
So beautiful and inspiring! Love the little tags with the washi tape.
December 7th, 2011 at 2:52am
so cute – love Anthropologie as well as your blog, so it’s like a match made in heaven, and to add icing on the cake, I’m in love with Berlin – i had a concert there a few years ago & was so sad to have to go back home; Berlin has such a strong creative energy.
Anyhow – Great tags! very Berlin-ish ..
Karboojeh´s last [type] ..Handmade jewelry display 101: Karboojeh’s journey in the world of craft shows
December 15th, 2011 at 8:13pm
Big thanks again for such a nice time!!! It was simply amazing!
Cutelicious´s last [type] ..Holly Becker, Masking Tape & Berlin