Finding a jewelry designer who uses unique materials in his or her jewelry is always a pleasure, and since I'm a crafter as well as a jewelry designer myself, I really have an appreciation for all kinds of crafting mediums, including paper. Anna Sofia of Anna Sofia Designs has also become a paper addict and eventually turned her love for beautiful paper into a method for designing light weight and beautiful paper jewelry.

Much of her paper is Japanese, and she has some excellent information on her web site about the materials she uses:

We use a variety of papers in our jewelry designs. It's so fun treasure-hunting for paper. Here are a few of our favorites from Japan and Nepal. If you're feeling inspired by these gorgeous patterns, there are all kinds of ways you can be creative with paper.

Japanese Chiyogami Paper

Chiyogami is a beautiful silkscreened paper made in Japan. Many of the incredible colors and patterns found in Chiyogami have been inspired by Kimono textile designs. We love the lush floral patterns - chrysanthemums, lotus flowers, plum blossoms, cherry blossoms, and hibiscus.

Chiyogami paper is filled with images of nature - bamboo, climbing vines, rippled waves, dragonflies, and cranes - as well as more abstract and geometric prints. Japanese cranes, one of the most fantastically graceful birds, are a symbol of long bountiful life, and good fortune.

Now for a look at some of her colorful paper jewelry such as these earrings called "Dorothy" made from silkscreened Japanese Chiyogami paper.


Here's the Mi Cosa Bracelet made from paper plus sapphire Swarovski crystals, sterling silver beads. It's also reversible.


The pendant on this necklace (Biryani Necklace) is made from Katazome-shi paper from Japan. The strap is made with mahogany obsidian beads and red jasper beads.