I have no idea where you can find a lovely variety of shelf edging paper. The look was once so popular in the 1950s – and for good reason: it’s absolutely charming. So until this product becomes popular again we can have a great time making our own.

I like using the classified section for this project because the words are close together and there are no photos. For extra detail, add decorative tacks made by gluing a variety of small embellishments to the tops of the tacks. I used a variety of red buttons on my shelf edging.

Gather:

 Newspaper
Craft scissors
Double-sided tape
Glossy wood-tone spray finish
Hole punch
Hot-glue gun and glue sticks
Small embellishments
Pushpins or upholstery tacks

Create:

1.    Using spray finish, lightly spray classified section for a vintage look. Let dry, then cut the newspaper into approximately 2” wide strips.

2.    Cut a zigzag pattern along one edge of the strips.

3.    Using a variety of hole punches, punch a pattern along the zigzag edge.

4.    Attach the newspaper to the shelf edge with double-sided tape.

5.    Hot-glue the small embellishments to the tops of the tacks. Some of my favorites are buttons, fabric or felt flowers, bits of old jewelry, rhinestones, shells and watch faces.

6.    Attach decorative tacks every 4”- 6”.

Shelf edging borders are also great inside closets and armoires in baby’s, kid’s, teen’s, and adult’s rooms. Customize yours by using favorite wallpaper or other decorative paper or even fabric. I’ve used it to edge the shelves in my linen closet. It’s an unexpected detail that is delightful.

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