DIY: Victorian Paper Peepshow

Welcome to my new historical paper craft video!

I came across Victorian peepshows on TikTok & they looked so interesting to me, I decided I would want to recreate one! It was impossible to remake all the intricate designs from these peepshows but I think I have captured the spirit and charm of these peepshows from the past.

During my research, I discovered that paper peepshows were first introduced in the 1820s, in Germany & Austria. They often celebrated particular events, famous places, international exhibitions or feats of engineering.

The viewer is supposed to peep through the hole, to discover an intimitate scene, often despicting buildings, historical events, theaters or woodlands.

You can read a lot more about paper peepshows (and see some GREAT examples) here:

https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/paper-...

I made mine by buying a digital download of a theater package from Etsy, printed them on cream cardstock and cut out doors & other frames to turn this paper theater into a peepshow.
I used the characters from the various theater plays that came with the download to liven up the peepshow.
My peepshow features a story about a man that came from rags and made it to riches. He still thinks about the woman he loved back in those hard days.

Ofcourse you can make a modern day version with your own scenes!
The bellows in between are made with printer paper, dyed with tea. Let me know if you would like to have the measurements & I will add them.

I hope you come visit me on my Community page sometime, where I share behind-the-scenes previews and talk a little about arts & crafts. Hope to see you there soon!
And ofcourse this peepshow can be purchased in my Store, so make this peepshow yours now, as it is truly one of a kind!

Grab a cup of tea and make this paper peepshow with me!



Products

Digital download (https://www.etsy.com/listing/51850380...)
Cream cardstock 220grams
Printer
Double sided tape
Glue
Distress Ink - Frayed Burlap
Circle die for the peephole
Tea dyed paper
Box cutter
Paper trimmer



Music
Incompetech