Behind the Scenes: Crafting This Year's Christmas Card

Recently, I’ve been craving the tactile satisfaction of making something by hand. To challenge myself, I decided to create a set of unique Christmas cards.

The rules I set for myself were simple:

1. The cards had to be finished by early December.

2. I could only use materials I already had at home.

3. No printing allowed!

   
   

   Inspiration and Concept

   
   

   The idea was sparked by a visit to the Teylers Museum, where I marveled at a Victorian paper peepshow. I loved the layered effect that drew the eye into a tiny world. Translating this into a card format, I envisioned a design that could be cut from a single sheet of paper—minimizing the need for glue and keeping the process efficient.
   

   Given the minimum postcard dimensions (9 x 14 cm) and the size of A4 paper, I opted for a three-layer design, with 1 cm folds creating depth between the layers.

From Concept to Creation

In the Netherlands, many homes have no curtains, which offers a fascinating glimpse into living rooms, especially during the festive season. These "windows into Christmas" inspired my composition: a simple scene with a glowing Christmas tree at its heart.

Before committing to the final design, I started with a quick mock-up. I folded a piece of paper and roughly cut out my envisioned layers. This prototype helped me decide on the perfect placement for the Christmas tree - center stage!

Next, I refined my design in Illustrator and prepared it for my trusty cutting machine, the Silhouette Cameo.

Bringing the Cards to Life

For the next few days, my studio buzzed with the hum of the cutter, while I stayed cozy by the heater. I hand-painted Christmas trees, carefully folded the layers, and added glue where needed - finally feeling that burst of creative productivity.

In the end, I made 30 unique cards, each hand-numbered. To complete the set, I paired them with hand-stamped envelopes, a custom postal stamp, and a blank card for personal messages.

A Little Piece of Christmas

I hope you enjoyed this peek behind the scenes! Crafting these cards was a joy, and I’m thrilled to share them with you.

If you’d like to bring this "peepshow" artwork into your home or send it to someone special, you can find them in my Etsy store.

Sunflowers

"I have never found sunflowers to be particularly beautiful flowers. I dislike the color yellow, they stink, and they are just not very practical. They cannot be combined in a bouquet, so they always end up in a bundle. And that armful needs to be in a huge vase; not very subtle."

Ten years ago, my friend suddenly passed away.

In the aftermath, I found myself reflecting deeply on our recently rekindled friendship, clinging to memories of her, and questioning my right to mourn.

To process my feelings, I created an illustrated short story during my time at art academy. Recently, I felt a strong urge to revisit and recreate these images as a tribute to my friend.

She took off her shoes and ran through the surf.

I had always disliked the beach, but then again,

I had never walked on it with her before.

"Was she a good friend?" I had never considered that I might not have the right to be sad.

We cycled together to the orchestra. She with a cello, and I with a violin on my back. I had bought a brooch and attached it to the case. We had a discussion about whether the pin was supposed to represent a cello or a violin. I thought it was a violin, but as usual, she convinced me with strong arguments that she was right. The instrument didn't have a chin rest and did have a strange piece at the bottom.

I am grateful that I didn’t have internet in the days that followed. When I returned to the Netherlands, it felt as though my grief had been taken away from me. While I was still struggling to come to terms with it, the rest of the country had already inscribed July 17, 2014, into the history books.

To me, she was just away on vacation. Little by little, her death began to feel real. Yet, in my heart, she remains as though she is still here.

Far-off Faces

During my travels, I've sketched an array of captivating figures and faces, each with its own tale to tell. In this blogpost I'd like to introduce them to you.

Note to self: remember to document any given information. Retroactively uncovering the original purpose and significance, especially without detailed museum descriptions, is challenging.

Škoromat, Ljubljana

Encountering the life-sized Škoromat at the Slovene Ethnographic Museum in Ljubljana was quite an experience. Even as a stationary mannequin, the costume was quite scary. The Škoromat is a mischievous character from the Slovenian Shrovetide Carnival, a tradition dating back to the 14th century. They roam around, loudly ringing cowbells, and assist Škopiti - a frightening creature with a broad hat and clattering tongs - in catching children, especially young girls.

Here you can see them in action!

Happy guy, Viuz- Faverges

This terracotta statuette greets every visitor of the archeological museum of Viuz-Faverges with a smile. It is unclear why it was created in the 2nd century - is it a representation of a domestic deity? Or a bored potter's whimsical creation?

Either way, he's just happy to be here.

Dogū Mask, Oyu

"What is this place!?" Dogū is understandably experiencing a culture shock: she travelled from Japan in the Jomon period (14,000 - 300 BCE) to present-day UK.

Likely an earth goddess or spirit, she was ritually beheaded and scattered around a stone circle in a fertility or healing ceremony.

Mystery figure, Viuz- Faverges

This enigmatic silhouette adorns a bronze scarf-pin dating from the first to third century. Without a clear description, its identity remains a mystery. My guess? A symbol of fertility, not unlike Artemis of Ephesus with its numerous protuberances.

Two weary travelers from Mesopotamia, Viuz- Faverges

On the left, an unidentified bearded man. Possibly representing a god, king, scholar, or guardian.

On the right, a

worn-down Ishtar, the goddess embodying love, beauty, fertility, and war,

often linked with the planet Venus.

Jesus, Mary and death, Viuz- Faverges

This three-faced ivory rosary bead, discovered in 17th and 18th-century graves at the Church of Vuiz, ironically urges spiritual introspection and preparedness for death.

The combination of Christ, the Virgin Mary, and a skull symbolizes 'Memento Mori', a reminder of the inevitability of death and the importance of spiritual life.

It's quite dark to think about someone using this rosary as they faced the end.

Did the owner know that their time was near while holding this symbol?

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