Paper offered Victorians a source of endless, inexpensive craft possibilities. It could be cut, folded, pleated, painted, punched, decorated - and turned into a host of useful or decorative objects. Many of these craft ideas would make charming gifts today.

Paper Flowers, by Mrs. A.M. Hollingsworth (Peterson's, 1856)

A series of instructions on making 10 separate paper flowers and a final paper flower bouquet.

Paper Modeling, by H.J. Vernon (Peterson's, 1858)

Charming piece on how to create a house out of paper or cardboard - a craft that is coming back into vogue today!

Every Man His Own Bookbinder (Leisure Hour, 1860)

Flowers Out of Paper, by C.L. Matéaux (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1878)

On Illuminating an Album (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1880)

More Occupations for Invalids, by Dora de Blaquière (Girl's Own Paper, 1882)

Knitting, Quilting, Macrame, and how to make a "stamp snake."

A Simple Way to Bind a Book (Girl's Own Paper, 1882)

How to Make and Fill a Scrap-Album (Little Folks, 1883)

A Novel Use for Crests and Monograms (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1883)

How to Make a Pair of Paper Bellows (Girl's Own Paper, 1887)

Fancy Boxes Large and Small, by Ruth Hubbard (Ingalls' Home Magazine, 1888)

The Art of Illumination, by Lida and M.J. Clarkson (Ingalls' Home Magazine, 1889)

The Art of Making and Arranging Paper Flowers, by Natalie Sturges (Ingalls' Home Magazine, 1889)

A Gossip on Portfolios: How to Make and Adorn Them, by Gleeson White (Girl's Own Paper, 1889)

A Jewel of a Box (Needle & Brush, 1889)

Monograms, by Prof. F. Edward Hulme (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1890)

A history of monograms and their use.

How to Make a Writing-Board; Another Knee Writing-Board and How to Make it, by Somerville Gibney (Girl's Own Paper, 1892)

Ornamental and Useful Knick-Knacks (Girl's Own Paper, 1894)

Some quick and easy craft projects, including how to make a basket out of paper.

A Useful Pig [Match-holder], by "Cousin Lil" (Girl's Own Paper, 1895)

Envelope Albums (Girl's Own Paper, 1896)

How to make small picture albums out of discarded envelopes.

Fancy-Box Making, by Mary Pocock (Girl's Own Paper, 1896)

Simple instructions for creating lovely hand-made gift and keepsake boxes.

A Simple Way of Making Deep Lid Boxes (Girl's Own Paper, 1896)

An excellent craft project for the holiday season - tips on making your own boxes of light cardboard (including unusually shaped boxes), which you can then decorate in any way you desire.

What Can Be Done with an Agate, by Barrington MacGregor (Girl's Own Paper, 1897)

Using an agate burnisher to emboss and engrave various paper crafts.

How to Make Paper Baskets for Carrying Flowers, by Eliza Brightwen (Girl's Own Paper, 1900)

A creative use for a newspaper!

Paper Folding, by Lina Orman Cooper (Girl's Own Paper, 1900)

Ways to fold notes and cards.

What to Do With Old Magazines, by Barrington MacGregor (Girl's Own Paper, 1900)

How to create a portfolio of favorite magazine articles... hmm, interesting idea...

Rice-Paper Flower-Work: An Old Art Revived, by Barrington MacGregor (Girl's Own Paper, 1901)

Postage-Stamp Pictures (Strand, 1901B)

A look at some artists who create pictures from bits of postage stamps, and how the reader can do the same.