Handcrafted Christmas Village - illuminated holiday houses made of artisan papers
$178.00
This village has appeared in Better Homes & Gardens Magazine, and is a double, white-on-white version of my Etsy Design Awards finalist piece. Read on...
Add a spark of magic to your home this season with handcrafted Christmas house luminaries. Unlike anything made in a factory, each Belgian Paperworks luminary is a work of art, created by hand to capture the magic of the season.
DESIGN AND BEAUTY
Belgian Paperworks luminaries celebrate the artistry of paper and light. Handmade from strong, beautifully textured watercolor paper, these heirloom pieces delight with intricate details by day, and enchant with a magical glow when lit — illuminated treasures that fit in the palm of your hand.
I assemble every piece by hand, adding layers of meticulously cut paper until each luminary is literally ready to shine. Layers enhance their strength and durability, too. And I always cut with a blade, never a laser; you will never find a "toasted" edge in my work.
Each luminary reflects a level of care and quality that cannot be replicated in a factory-produced design, and you’ll find yourself leaning in to see every crisp detail.
Good design is functional, too — my luminaries fold perfectly flat, so you can tuck them away in seconds and your post-holiday cleanup is done. So simple!
THE ARTIST
Nestled in an old California apple orchard, my studio is where I transform simple paper into magical, light-filled scenes. High-quality paper possesses a perfect balance of flexibility, elasticity, and rigidity, in addition to its ability to transmit and diffuse light. Through years of experimentation and innovation, I've developed techniques and a rich visual language that are distinctly my own, allowing me to create magic with paper and light.
Every luminary reflects my dedication to detail and craftsmanship, merging creativity and precision to create something truly enchanting.
ABOUT THIS PIECE
This village has appeared in Better Homes & Gardens Magazine, and its full-color variation earned recognition as an Etsy Design Award finalist.
ECO-FRIENDLY CRAFTSMANSHIP
My commitment to sustainability starts with my studio, which runs on geothermal power, and continues with archival-quality paper sourced from eco-conscious mills. To ensure that no resource goes to waste, I transform my offcuts into sweet Christmas ornaments. And finally, my luminaries’ ability to fold flat reduces their environmental impact by requiring less packaging and fewer resources to ship.
By choosing Belgian Paperworks, you’re not only adding a touch of magic to your home, but also supporting thoughtful design and honoring the beauty of true handmade artistry.
PRACTICALITIES:
Set up and storage: Your pieces will arrive fully assembled. All you need to do is pop them up and put the tabs through the slots - no glue or tape is required. Tuck in the LED tea lights included with US shipments, and sit back to enjoy the glow. After the season, simply fold your luminaries back into their small shipping box and slip them into a drawer until next time. They take up almost no space, because no one needs more bulky stuff to store.
Measurements: The houses in this collection range from 3.75 to 5.75 inches tall. Both optional churches are 7" tall.
The listing is for six luminary houses with an optional church.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Paper is flammable. Use flameless LED lights only. Do not bring into contact with flame.
© 2020 Anne Louvau, all rights reserved. Usage, reproduction, or altering of artwork is not permitted without permission. Each piece of artwork is an intellectual property and is protected by copyright law.
Shipping from United States
Processing time
2-3 business days
Customs and import taxes
Buyers are responsible for any customs and import taxes that may apply. I'm not responsible for delays due to customs.
Payment Options
Returns & Exchanges
I gladly accept returns, exchanges, and cancellations
Just contact me within: 14 days of delivery
Ship items back to me within: 30 days of delivery
Conditions of return
Buyers are responsible for return shipping costs. If the item is not returned in its original condition, the buyer is responsible for any loss in value.
Questions about your order?
Please contact me if you have any problems with your order.
Privacy policy
I, Belgian Paperworks, am the data controller of your personal information as it relates to my shop. When you place an order, I will receive your name, delivery address and email address from Etsy. I will use these details only to process and deliver your order, or deal with any queries you have related to that order.
If you send me a message using the contact button on Etsy, I will receive your user name and email address. The only circumstances in which I will share your data are in processing your order or complying with the law.
I will not add you to any mailing list without your explicit consent. I will never use or pass on your information to third parties for marketing purposes or any other purpose, other than the circumstances listed, below:
The circumstances in which I may share your data are as follows: with Etsy to comply with my obligations, with delivery companies to fulfill your order, and to comply with legal or tax obligations.
I will retain your details for as long as necessary in order to process the transaction and I will securely store any data collected during that period. I retain personal data related to orders or customer queries for a period not to exceed seven years. After this time I will delete your data from my records.
If you have any concerns about your personal data, please contact support@Etsy. You have the right to know what personal data I hold about you, and to ask for that data to be changed or deleted. Should you wish to report a complaint or if you feel that Etsy or Belgian Paperworks has not addressed your concern in a satisfactory manner, you may contact the Information Commissioner’s Office.
In addition to my own privacy policy, if you pay with PayPal, your data will be protected by PayPal's privacy policy. If you pay directly by card on Etsy, your personal data is protected by Etsy's privacy policy.
Contact details for Belgian Paperworks can be found below, under seller details. Belgian Paperworks keeps its privacy policy under regular review and places any updates on this web page. This privacy policy was last updated on 12 October 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
How I make my paper houses
I use creamy French watercolor paper, beautifully textured and very strong, as the foundation for each building.
I cut meticulous details with a blade, not a laser -- this means every cut is crisp and beautiful, never "toasted".
Everything is hand-assembled, with some luminaries having as many as nine layers, or close to 80 pieces.
Finally the most delicate bits are reinforced until every house is, literally, ready to shine.
The finished houses are folded flat for shipping and storage.
Your paper lanterns may differ slightly from the photos. As each one is made especially for you, every building is unique.
Set up instructions
Your pieces will arrive fully assembled. All you need to do is pop them up and put the tabs through the slots - no glue or tape is required. Tuck in the LED tea lights included with US shipments, and sit back to enjoy the glow.
At the end of the season, simply fold your luminaries back into their small shipping box and slip them into a drawer until next time.
They take up almost no space, because no one needs more bulky stuff to store.
The surprising durability of folding paper lanterns
Far thicker than traditional card stock, my 140 pound French watercolor paper is not only beautiful, it is strong.
With this mighty paper for a foundation, my buildings are designed to last for years. And unlike ceramic or wooden Christmas villages, these resilient paper lanterns are more likely to survive an accidental fall from a mantel, or from curious little hands.
Storages tips
Paper naturally absorbs humidity from the air over time, so it's important to stow your houses in a dry location with a constant temperature.
An interior space, such as a closet or a small box under the bed, would be ideal.
Then, when you pull your houses out next winter, they will be fresh and ready to go. Or, to glow!
Sustainability
Here in Northern California, sustainability is a way of life at home as well as in my business. I am proud to say that my studio is largely powered by geothermal energy.
I constantly search out papers from climate-mindful mills sharing my concern for our planet, including papers that are FSC-certified, CO2-neutral, or Cradle-to-Cradle Certified Silver. And because my papers are acid-free and archival, they'll last for decades.
My ornaments are created from the paper offcuts left after cutting larger pieces, allowing me to substantially minimize waste in the studio. And because my luminaries fold flat and ship in a small box, they require significantly less shipping materials (and less transport fuel) as they make their way to you.
Reviews (49)
Average:
Jan 13, 2025
These little houses turned out to be very special. I saw them and thought, why not, half expecting the kids not to care. They turned out to be a huge hit with absolutely everyone, family, friends, kids, everyone. The detail and quality were exceptional -- and when they lit up at night, it immediately felt like the best moments of Christmas growing up.
G. H.
Dec 12, 2024
purchased 6+ Church (two sets of 3 houses, selected two diff roof colors and a diff color for church). Beautifully crafted. Nice size - not small, not too large. Well packaged-safe, attractive, with personal note. Arrived on date specifed. Very pleased.
MC131
Nov 30, 2024
They are really beautiful and cute
Deb
Nov 13, 2024
Good quality, beautiful, and perfect for Christmas
Elissa Phillipps
Nov 9, 2024
The pieces are absolutely lovely. They arrived carefully packed and were easy to set up. The quality of the craftsmanship is outstanding. It even came with a surprise tree ornament in the same style as the larger pieces as well as a personalized note from the artist. I couldn't be happier with the purchase.
Alan Runyan