After the decorations have been put away and the cake consumed, there always seems to be one or two greeting cards that avoid the bin. A concertina birthday card that looks lovely on the mantlepiece, a personal note that ends up slipped inside a mirror frame, or a postcard pinned to the fridge, some cards are just too pretty or sentimental to throw away–but what else to do with them?
Lovely art can be created out of very little, and a bit of out-of-the-box thinking can go a long way. A kitsch collage card in a deep frame can create a fun focal point in the downstairs loo. A beautiful lino print card, in a painted frame with a wide border, can nestle in with your existing artworks–and a series of six similar subject cards is a gallery wall waiting to happen.
Perhaps there's an artist you adore, but their pieces are out of your budget? Chances are you'll be able to find an A5 card stocked somewhere. Think of it as a stepping stone on your way to the ‘real’ thing. Grassroots campaign, Just A Card, state that by purchasing ‘just a card’, you can support makers, artists, independent shops and small businesses stay afloat.
Next time you are at a niche museum, open house or weeny gallery, have a think: is there a card destined for great decorative things?
