How to Make a Victorian Business Card Holder

Would you like to add a soft, feminine touch to the entranceway of your home? Here's how to create a quick and easy Victorian calling card holder that can be used to hold business cards or calling cards.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Are you looking for unique Victorian craft ideas? In Victorian times every family member had their own calling card which was given to friends and neighbors when the family visited another home. These cards were considered de rigeur for the sophisticated lady or gentlemen when making a social call. Calling cards were also created to announce the birth of a new child. Many of the early Victorian calling cards were quite beautiful with lots of floral detail and feminine touches.

2. While it's not a social requirement to have a calling card these days, it's a nice touch to display one in your home for guests to take on the way out. You can arrange your calling cards beside your guest log, serving as a sort of social business card. Having a calling card designed is as easy as visiting a local printer and telling them what you want printed on your card.

3. Once you've made the decision to have a calling card, you'll need an attractive container for displaying your cards. One of the prettiest ways to do this is to make a quick and easy calling card holder from a Victorian teacup. You can also use your newly created calling card holder to hold business cards if you prefer. It's one of those Victorian craft ideas that has multiple uses.
   
   Here's how to create your own calling card or business card holder:

4. Find an antique teacup and saucer.
   
   When you're scouting around at garage sales and thrift stores, keep an eye out for beautiful porcelain, antique teacups and saucers. When you find a pretty one, purchase it. You should be able to get one quite inexpensively.

5. Create your container.
   
   Using floral gum or two part epoxy, attach the cu p firmly to the saucer and allow it to dry. If you use floral gum, the bond won't be permanent and you'll be able to remove the cup from the saucer later if you wish. Two part epoxy will create a permanent bond.

6. Choose your decorative details.
   
   Gather together floral moss and your choice of dried or freeze dried flowers in colors that coordinate with the pattern on your cup and saucer.

7. Attach your moss and florals.
   
   Using a hot glue gun, attach a layer of floral moss to provide a bed for your dried flowers. Then start attaching your dried flowers in a pleasing design top of the bed of moss. Use you imagination! You can add rose buds, small ribbon roses, dried grasses, and even small silk flowers to your design. This is a nice project for using up florals from other projects.