Tiny Treasures: Index Print Art

As a young girl, I remember being fascinated by dollhouse miniatures. There was something absolutely irresistible about the pint-sized chairs, mini-bathtub, tiny kitchen appliances, and doll-sized fireplace. They never seemed to lose their appeal.

Index prints that come with photo developing hold that same appeal for me. There is something about those tiny photos that "calls to me" and causes me to find ways to use them in my art. Not only do these photos have charm, they are also very economical embellishments. In a hobby where many items are cost prohibitive, I am always delighted to find ways to cut corners and use "everything."

Collage Strips: An easy way to use an index page is to cut the photos apart and into strips. The strips can be used as collage elements and stapled to pages or tags. Tucked into pockets or envelopes, the strips are fun and unusual embellishments. A strip can be used as a border across a page or card to give pizzazz to a project.

Framed Miniatures: Like Victorian miniatures, index prints can be framed and treasured. When choosing a photo for framing, a good rule of thumb is to choose close-ups. Miniscule details can get lost in these small prints.

Conchos and open nailheads can be used as frames for these adorably tiny photos. The easiest way to frame an index print photo is to adhere it to the background cardstock first, then attach the concho over photo.

Metal rimmed tags in circles, squares and rectangles also work well for framing the diminutive photos in index prints. Widely available and inexpensive, metal-rimmed tags coupled with index print photos make a particularly economical embellishment for paper arts.

Style Stone Frames: The small rectangular photos in index print sheets are a great fit for inserting into Clearsnap's new Style Stones. Available in several styles, the frame-shaped Style Stones have a small opening or indention for inserting photos. Style Stones can be used to embellish cards, scrapbook layouts, or mounted on magnetic tape to create a photo magnet.

Index tabs: Index prints make fabulous index tabs for mini-books. Instead of using ordinary index tabs, try mounting cut-out index prints onto sturdy cardstock, then attaching them to the edges of mini-album pages. An acid-free decoupage medium or Diamond Glaze can be used to cover and protect the photo from heavy wear and tear.

Jewelry: Index prints are just the right size to fit in many bracelet forms. One example is the bracelet manufactured by The Memory Maker Company. These are so easy to change that you can have a new look each time you get film developed

Domino Art: Domino art is a trendy art form. The tiny canvas of the domino surface is another terrific place for using index print photos. Dominoes can be painted or inked, stamped, and collaged. By using an index print photo, dominoes can become customized treasures. Use them as table place cards, magnets, or jewelry to display miniature photos of your loved ones.

Whenever you incorporate index prints in paper arts, they are sure to charm and delight the viewer while saving the artist a few pennies.

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