Handmade Fabric Gift Tags Create Holiday Cheer

The creative muse waved her December wand. I was smitten with the idea of handmade fabric gift tags that could double as ornaments.

These handmade fabric gift tags are the work of Mary Ellen Beads Albuquerque.

Some might call them folksy. Bits of ribbon, sequins, trim, felt shapes, buttons, beads and charms make for Christmas cheer with texture and character. I stitched the pieces most evenings, adding whimsical touches on the back, just because I could.

Many of the tags reflected scrap material others shared from their stash. Others featured holiday charms from years gone by. It’s fun to upcycle. I get a kick out of using all manner of things. My stash contains snowflakes that were part of a Christmas decorating stash from the 50s, gifted to me from a friend who didn’t plan to stitch.

Not that it’s all old or recycled. I tried out some new metal sequins I’d ordered earlier in the year and loved the look.

This handmade fabric gift tag with metal sequins was created by Mary Ellen Beads Albuquerque.

The first 20 customers at my Holiday Wonders show received one of my custom handmade fabric gift tags.

These handmade fabric gift tags are part of a collection by Mary Ellen Beads Albuquerque.

I decided to use my handmade fabric gift tags instead of cards and gifted them to friends as we met for lunch or coffee during the month.

These handmade fabric gift tags are part of the Christmas collection from Mary Ellen Beads Albuquerque.

It’s highly likely that some kind of handmade fabric gift tag like this will play a part in craft day at the annual family gathering. Here’s a post from a another craft day project, “Make Things by Hand.” It’s become a tradition to include crafts in our holiday gathering.

What I know for sure is that I’m having fun. What playful thing are you doing to create more joy in your life?