Susan Eastin
Owner & Founder of PhotoWeights
Diamond Painted Paperweights
Posted by Susan Eastin on 3/11/2025 to
Paperweight Design Inspiration
Because March is National Craft Month, I thought it was the perfect time
to explore a new creative pursuit. Diamond painting is something I've
wanted to try for a while because the faceted "diamond" stones will fit
beautifully within most of our glass paperweight styles.
Creepy Spider Paperweight with Layered Web
Posted by Susan Eastin on 10/4/2023 to
Paperweight Design Inspiration
With all the Halloween decorations lining the store shelves this time of year, it's the perfect opportunity to design spooktacular paperweights that are sure to grab some attention and second looks.
If you're not into spiders or disembodied fingers under glass, think of fall, jack o' lanterns, candy corn, and other things that are a little less creepy.
Painting an Antique Scottie Dog Button for a Dome Paperweight
Posted by Susan Eastin on 9/27/2023 to
Paperweight Design Inspiration
Last spring I purchased a shabby, antique button with two Scottie
dogs in the design. (Yes, I'm a Scottie dog lover.) My plan at the
time was to paint the button a single color, red, and place it against a
tartan, paper background. I now concede this plan was far too simple
and unimaginative. Instead, I thought I should step outside my comfort
zone and try my hand at giving the button a proper refresh with a few
different paint colors.
Not only has the button been transformed, it's found new purpose in a glass, dome paperweight.
Make a Glass, Italian Inspired Paperweight Using Glue, Glitter, and Paint
Posted by Susan Eastin on 9/12/2023 to
Paperweight Design Inspiration
Over the summer I purchased a fabulous piece of vintage Murano glass that was made in Italy. The design featured glittery, gold swirls in a sea of deep blue. It made me curious if I could somehow mimic this look with glitter and glass paint using one of our paperweights. After a little experimentation, I'm in love with the results!
Cruising the Boardwalk
Posted by Susan Eastin on 5/29/2023 to
Paperweight Design Inspiration
As someone who absolutely loves going to antique shops and flea markets,
I'm always on the hunt for small trinkets I can work into my
paperweight designs. When I came across a few Monopoly game pieces in a
box of old costume jewelry, I immediately pictured them in an Heirloom Dome with the infamous Monopoly board in the background. I hope you like the end result as much as I do.
A Simple Button Paperweight
Posted by Susan Eastin on 5/26/2021 to
Paperweight Design Inspiration
My favorite paperweight designs tend to be simple and usually
involve placing a small object against a background. Even though there
are only two elements involved, there's virtually no limit to the number
of unique styles you can create.
Print Photographs to Use as Backgrounds in Your Paperweights
Posted by Susan Eastin on 5/13/2021 to
Paperweight Design Inspiration
If your design involves displaying one or more objects in a paperweight,
you'll need a background to place these items on. Backgrounds can be
made from a variety of materials such as paper, fabric, leather, metal,
and thin sheets of wood veneer. They can involve complex layers or they
can be as simple as printing a photo, as I did for this owl and branch...
How to Display an Art Deco Rhinestone Brooch in a Dome Paperweight
Posted by Susan on 3/10/2020 to
Paperweight Design Inspiration
Over the years I've created so many paperweights with vintage and
antique costume jewelry. I look for broken pieces, especially brooches
with missing or badly bent pins. These can often be purchased at flea
markets and antique sales for just a few dollars. You can also find
beautiful reproductions at most major craft stores.
Succulent Paperweight
Posted by Susan on 2/27/2020 to
Paperweight Design Inspiration
I've wanted to create a succulent paperweight for the longest time. The
problem I constantly ran into was finding an artificial succulent small
enough to fit into one of our domes. Fortunately, I found a nice alternative to the real thing...
or at least an alternative to the artificial version of the real thing.
Finding Craft Store Bargains for Your Paperweight Designs
Posted by Susan on 2/26/2020 to
Paperweight Design Inspiration
As a Southern California girl who grew up just outside Los Angeles, I
was always within a mile or two of a fabulous craft store where I could
get at least 2,000 steps in by walking up and down the aisles in search
of materials to use in my paperweight designs. Now that I live in a
very rural part of South Dakota, enjoying the pleasures of small town
life, the nearest craft store is about 45-minutes away. (Insert sound
of record needle scratch here.) There are days I honestly miss the
craft stores more than I miss the sun, beaches, and warm weather.
Twine Framed Mirror with a Center Shell Ornament
Posted by Susan Eastin on 8/29/2019 to
Paperweight Design Inspiration
A few months ago I purchased a few small, round mirrors to use in future
projects. I thought I'd frame one of the mirrors with some thick twine
and see where things led. I hope you like the results.
Applying an Adornment to the Top Surface of Your Paperweight
Posted by Susan Eastin on 8/23/2019 to
Paperweight Design Inspiration
When it comes to personalizing PhotoWeights, there's no rule book that limits you to displaying items from within your paperweight. There's a lot of real estate on the exterior of our flat paperweights, enough space for small charm, a metal finding, or a few rhinestones.
Framing a Photo with Buttons and Rhinestones
Posted by Susan Eastin on 8/22/2019 to
Paperweight Design Inspiration
If you're looking for a creative way to frame a photo within a
paperweight, this design is a excellent starting point. You can alter
the materials and embellishments in so many different ways. For
instance, instead of scrapbook paper you can use fabric or a thin, wood
veneer. You can also frame the photo opening with shells, beads, dried
flowers, and an array of different baubles.
Displaying Costume Jewelry Within a Glass Paperweight
Posted by Susan Eastin on 8/19/2019 to
Paperweight Design Inspiration
If you have any broken pieces of costume jewelry laying around, this
project is for you. Even if you don't, it's easy to find beautiful,
affordable pieces of jewelry on clearance at boutiques and department
stores. Many craft stores also sell a large selection of jewelry that
includes earrings, pins, and pendants.
Antique Sewing Needle Packs Within a Glass Paperweight
Posted by Susan Eastin on 8/14/2019 to
Paperweight Design Inspiration
I've used antique sewing notions in many of my paperweight designs
over the years. From buttons and snaps sewn onto cards, to cardboard
spools of thread and small tools, these things tend to fit very well in
our paperweight kits because they're small, flat and fairly thin.
Sand Dollar Paperweight with a Sandy Background
Posted by Susan Eastin on 8/7/2019 to
Paperweight Design Inspiration
When summer is just a memory, and the snow starts to fly, this sand dollar paperweight will add a touch of warmth to you desk. This is such an easy design to create. All you'll need is a
sand dollar, a scrap of sandpaper, a glue gun, and a pair of scissors.
Everything else is included in the paperweight kit (mounting board and
bottom pad).
Paperweight Captures a Mini Sheet of Ruled Paper with a Handwritten Note
Posted by Susan Eastin on 8/1/2019 to
Paperweight Design Inspiration
I wanted to create another paperweight design that would allow someone
to display a miniature message, similar to the one posted at Vintage Typewriter Paperweight with a Tiny, Typed Message.
For this project I chose something we all remember from our school
days, a sheet of ruled paper. In miniature, it's rather adorable.
Don't you think?
Vintage Typewriter Paperweight with a Tiny, Typed Message
Posted by Susan Eastin on 7/31/2019 to
Paperweight Design Inspiration
This paperweight design includes the printed image of a typewriter with
one tiny, little twist... a miniature piece of paper with a typed
note that curves out from the art. You can type anything you wish, from a love note to the working
title of the novel you've been meaning to start since the
beginning of the year. You're only limited by the size of the page.
Using Small Glass Vials in Your Paperweight Designs
Posted by Susan Eastin on 7/30/2019 to
Paperweight Design Inspiration
I've used glass vials in a few of my paperweight designs. I've also recommended them to customers who have asked for my help
with items that needed to be "contained" before they could be displayed in a
paperweight. These have included tiny stones, minerals, soil taken from special locations.
Creating a Pet Memorial Paperweight
Posted by on 7/29/2019 to
Paperweight Design Inspiration
Pet memorial keepsakes remain extremely popular. This isn't a surprise
because they're such a lovely way to remember a beloved part of our
lives. They also make a thoughtful gift for a
friend or family member who has lost a furry, feathered, or even a
scaled companion.