Wanda Wen

The Soolip Fix

Animal Wrappings

August 30th, 2010

Japanese artist Maeda Baku turns tape into origami present toppers. Such a cute idea and perfect for that added touch to make your gift special! This would be so fun to try with all the pretty new tapes that are coming out lately too!

Found via The Trendy Girl

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Giant Paper Poppies

May 6th, 2010
Giant Paper Poppies via MarthaStewart.com

Giant Paper Poppies via MarthaStewart.com

I just came across this fabulous giant paper poppies decoration project at MarthaStewart.com. They would make a beautiful table accent for Mother’s Day brunch. Of course, I would also suggest using them as a fanciful gift topper as well.  Grab the kids and let them join in on the fun! These poppies are super easy to make. However, the project does require using a hot glue gun, a good task to assign to the big kids in your house. Click here for the full tutorial.

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DIY Dupioni Silk Yo-Yos

April 13th, 2010
Dupioni Silk Yo-Yos by Posh Paperie. Photo by Jackie Wonders Photography.

Dupioni Silk Yo-Yos by Posh Paperie. Photo by Jackie Wonders Photography.

While browsing this internet on a lazy Sunday afternoon, I was delighted to find this D-I-Y dupioni silk yo-yo project by Posh Paperie and Jackie Wonders photography on Style-Me-Pretty blog.  These elegant yo-yos would make a fabulous gift topper. The simple rouching method would work well with a variety of fabrics. I’m going to dig through my donation bin at home and see what old linens I can dig up to make some yo-yos of my own!

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Happy Spring!

March 21st, 2010
Paper lace and flowers wrap by Wanda Wen. Photograph by Jules Bianchi.

Paper lace and flowers wrap by Wanda Wen. Photograph by Jules Bianchi.

I had the most delightful trip to the farmer’s market yesterday morning. Every stall was bursting with color, especially the flower vendors. The first day of Spring brought such beautiful blooms along with it!

Naturally, the gorgeous blossoms made me think of a peony gift topper that I thought up for my book, The Art of Gift Wrapping (out April 6th!!). A sumptuous flower bouquet gift topper is always a delight to receive, as it transitions from gift to vase with ease. What beautiful blossom would you like to top your next gift with?

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A Sweet and Surprising Gift Wrap Perfect for any Spring Event!

February 17th, 2010

Nest of Treasures gift wrap by Wanda Wen. Photo by Jules Bianci.

Nest of Treasures gift wrap by Wanda Wen. Photo by Jules Bianci.

Here in Los Angeles it feels as though Spring has already arrived. The 70 degree weather and beautiful blue skies have me thinking about all the fun spring events that will soon be popping up, including baby showers, bridal showers, and the first weddings of the busy wedding season. What do all these events have in common? Well, gift registries is one thing for sure!

Giving a gift off the registry is both convenient and practical, but it can eliminate the best part of giving a gift-that  wonderful moment of surprise when the recipient lights up with wonder and eagerly opens the package. My philosophy is that when you give a gift, you both honor the recipient and give a bit of yourself…but the latter can be easily lost when giving a gift that is wrapped in the same signature department store gift wrap as 10 other packages on the gift table.

So why not restore that element of surprise with a gift wrap that is as unique as the gift giver (that’s you!)?  Sure, forgoing the department store wrap might take you a few extra minutes, but the DIY fix can actually be more cost effective while twice as fun and impressive. In this busy world we live in, taking that extra time to make something truly special is one of the greatest gifts you can give. The finished result will delight the recipient. Trust me!

Here’s a wrap from my forthcoming book, The Art of Gift Wrapping (out April 6th!), that is just perfect for any spring event, whether it be a fun baby shower or sophisticated bridal luncheon. I call it my Nest of Treasures wrap, and you can see a photo of it at the top of the page. Here’s what you need:

  • Sheer netting
  • 1 bowl (about 5″ in diameter)
  • scissors
  • jelly beans
  • seam binding (2 different colors)
  • small nest
  • decorative paper
  • tape
  • tweezers
  • bird topper

This gift wrap is truly enchanting and so much fun to give. For complete details on how to assemble this gift wrap, keep an eye out for my book, The Art of Gift Wrapping out April 6th!

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Following My Bliss to New York City!

December 2nd, 2009
Alton DuLaney, Scotch® Brand Most Gifted Wrapper for 2008

Alton DuLaney, Scotch® Brand Most Gifted Wrapper for 2008

Do what you love with all your heart and you’ll find yourself  in the most fun and exciting places! Today I’m following my bliss to NYC to judge the Scotch Brand Most Gifted Wrapper Contest. Think  Top Chef, but for gift wrapping. Yes, the competition is that intense! Each year, eight of our nation’s most talented gift wrappers race against the clock and each other as they attempt to perfectly wrap the ultimate odd shaped gifts – like golf clubs, tiered candy dishes, and even a baby grand piano!

The contest will take place this Friday, December 4, 8:30 a.m. at Rockefeller Center, NYC . If you’re in NYC, be sure to stop by and say hello!

This is my third year judging the contest, and every year I’ve had such a ball. Watching the contestants is thrilling! I empathize with their initial moments of frustration over the unforgiving packages, then the sudden bursts of creativity, and finally, the adding of the  finishing touches-crisp creases and perfectly tied bows-with such gusto! By the end of the competition I always want to give each contestant first place for their effort. But, only one person can be crowned the Scotch Brand Most Gifted Wrapper and take home a $10,000 cash prize. That’s right, $10k!

What can I say, it pays to follow your bliss, in more ways than one. I encourage all of you to follow your passion, no matter what it might be. Let love be your guide and the adventure will surely be a thrilling and fulfilling one.

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Soolip at The Peninsula Beverly Hills

November 28th, 2009

The Art of Gift Wrapping
My favorite time of year has officially arrived! As a gift and gift-wrapping expert, I take special delight in the holidays where every single day between Thanksgiving and New Years brings a new opportunity to spread joy – whether it be through an unexpected holiday card, a fabulous present, or that perfectly wrapped gift. But I also know that my favorite time of the year is also the busiest time of the year. If you’re like me, and have stayed up wrapping gifts way into the wee hours of the holiday morning one-too-many times, then you know exactly what I’m talking about.

This year, I’ve partnered with The Peninsula Beverly Hills to give my fellow Angelenos a break from the all night gift-wrapping bender! I’m excited to announce that starting December 1st, The Peninsula Beverly Hills will launch its first holiday season gift-wrapping partnership with, yours truly, Soolip Paperie and Press. My troop of meticulous gift wrappers will be offering our signature couture gift-wrapping services on-site using distinctive one-of-a-kind papers, elegant ribbons and whimsical, nature-inspired gift-toppers like vintage silk flowers, feathered Chinese birds and fresh foliage such as red holiday berries, laurel and evergreen branches. Best of all, our basic gift wrap will feature our Soolip tree-free paper made in India of re-purposed cotton rags. Richly textured and exquisitely colored, our tree-free paper demonstrates the endless, beautiful possibilities in recycling materials.

If you’re not in the Los Angeles area this holiday season, or are looking for some budget and eco- friendly gift-wrapping ideas, then stay tuned! I’ll be sharing some of my favorite tips and tricks with you in the days to come.

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The Gift

November 11th, 2009
The Gift

The Gift

Stumbled upon these two rocks …… one – quiet, round, at peace, alone, and the other – open and ready to receive. Beauty is in all things.

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Nature’s Inspiration

October 20th, 2009
Nature's Inspiration

Nature's Inspiration

The holidays are upon us and I naturally start thinking of gift wrapping.  I have forever been inspired by nature. Somehow, a touch of Mother Nature is all it takes for one to feel centered and at peace inside.  I encourage you to scour your immediate environment for uncommon wrapping materials – your closets, your kitchen cabinets, your stashes of fabric, your garden, your office supply room at work.  In this photo, I have used a green bark paper for the bottom gift, and a tea-stained piece of cheesecloth surrounds to gift at top.  A sprig from a peppercorn tree graces the top secured by multiple wraps of a skinny gold twine (available at beading or sewing shops).  Take a walk around your neighborhood and you are bound to find a great assortment of nature’s treasures.

For all you gift wrap lovers, stay tuned for my first book, The Art of Gift Wrapping, debuting April 2010, published and distributed by PotterCraft/Random House.  This book is a visually stunning and tantalizing, inspiring, resourceful how-to on the art of gift wrapping.  The photography was done by my dear friend Jules Bianchi, www.julesbianchi.com, and who also is available to shoot cool family portraits!

I welcome you to visit me at www.soolip.com and www.soolip.blogspot.com.

And remember ……. live each day with beauty and inspiration.

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