Belgian Paperworks

Christmas light-up paper village: sustainable tea light houses and optional church, mantel decor that folds away for storage

$98.00

Shipping to United States: Free



(41)

Celebrate the season with this gorgeous handmade holiday village. Lit by gently flickering LED candles (included with US purchases), it's the perfect way to create holiday magic.

Gather the sustainably-made houses together into a cozy scene, or sprinkle them throughout your home to be discovered one by one.

And look closely: the cottage has a stone-textured chimney, paper timbers criss-cross the facades, and even shutters are 3D.

FINISHING TOUCHES

More photos of the Nordic church can be found here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/912089571.

Prefer a centerpiece that's a little grander? The timber cathedral can be found here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1073089086/.

Matching ornaments may be added here, https://www.etsy.com/listing/1299228336/, if you wish.

DESIGN

I use creamy, heavyweight, cold pressed watercolor paper, acid-free and very strong, as the foundation layer for each piece.

Then I assemble every piece by hand, adding layers of meticulously cut paper until every piece is literally ready to shine. These layers also enhance the strength and durability of each piece.

And I always cut with a blade, never a laser, so you will never see a “toasted” edge in my work.

Zoom right in to see every crisp, clean detail.

SET UP & 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.

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.

SUSTAINABILITY

Here in Northern California, sustainability is a way of life. Please see my FAQs or About section for information on my sustainability practices. Thank you.

I ship my luminaries in a thin cello sleeve to protect from winter moisture. If you prefer a paper sleeve, just mention it during check out, and I will happily make that switch.

The houses in this collection range from 3.75 to 5.75 inches tall, and the church is 7.5 inches tall.

I would love to answer your questions, so please do not hesitate to ask.

~Use flameless LED lights only. Not for use with a traditional candle.
-Listing is for three village houses. The church may be added in the drop-down menu.

© 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

1-2 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

Secure options
  • Accepts Etsy gift cards

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

  • Custom or personalized orders
  • Items on sale

    • 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

    Information collected when you purchase from Belgian Paperworks will only be used to process your order.

    All payments are handled through Etsy’s third-party payment processor and/or Paypal. Other than the amount of your order, your financial information is never shared with Belgian Paperworks.

    Personal information, including name, address, email, and other details of your order will be shared with shipping providers as needed to deliver your order to you, and will never be shared with any other third party. For the purposes of maintaining the shop owner’s tax records, your information will be retained for a period not to exceed seven years.

    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 (41)

    Average:

    Thank you for the included gift. I look forward to using your beautiful houses to decorate my home during this holiday season.

    Belgium Paperworks is first class all the way. I love my addition. This is my second purchase from this lovely shop. Shipped with care and love, fast too.



    My daughter bought me a set of the tiny paper house ornaments and one of the lovely little tea light houses for Christmas. Words cannot convey how absolutely magical and artistic these little houses are. They are so detailed and add such warmth to a room. So, of course, I had to buy a friend a set for her birthday and another two for my daughter. I will have to add to our collection monthly! I also love the special paper, note from the seller, and little extra ornament. The whole experience of opening a box from this seller is pure joy.


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