Types of Embellishment in Paper Crafting - A Complete Guide

In the world of paper crafting, embellishments are the finishing touches that turn a beautiful project into a breathtaking one. From sparkling sequins to crafting gems, these small but mighty additions bring texture, shine, and personality to your cards, scrapbook layouts, journal pages, and beyond.

But what is an embellishment, exactly?

In arts and crafts, an embellishment is any decorative detail added to enhance a piece's design or visual appeal. In paper crafting, these include sequins, rhinestones, adhesive jewels, ribbons, enamel dots, and more.

Let’s explore the various types of embellishments in paper crafting, how to use them effectively, and tips for selecting the right one for your handmade project.

Different Types of Embellishments in Paper Crafting

The different types of embellishments in paper crafting are often small, standalone elements like jewels for crafting or craft gemstones used to elevate the design and draw the viewer’s eye. Whether you're working on a clean and simple card or a scrapbooking project, embellishments can visually enhance the story you’re telling. Here are some of the most common ones:

1. Sequin Embellishments

What Are Sequins?

Sequins are small, shiny, flat discs used to add shimmer to crafting projects. Available in various shapes (round, stars, and hearts) and colors, they reflect light beautifully and give your handmade cards a festive, dynamic feel. Sequins also help guide the eyes and add interest to your project’s layout.  

How to use sequins:

• Glue a few sequin embellishments randomly around your focal point for a scattered sparkle. Tip: Remember the rule of three in design for a more aesthetically pleasing layout. We’ll discuss this more in the following sections.

• Use sequins in shaker cards for a more interactive and fun design. 

• Use them to frame your focal point or sentiment. 

• Use as flower centers!

2. Craft Gemstones and Rhinestones

Types of Crafting Gems:

• Adhesive gemstones for crafts – These are usually adhesive-backed so you just need to peel and stick–perfect for adding that quick & easy sparkle to handmade projects!

• Crafting gems – Faceted and flat-back stones in a variety of shapes and sizes.

• Rhinestones – Acrylic or resin-based stones with a luxurious look.

How to use craft gemstones and rhinestones:

• Add to flower centers for that extra sparkle and interest.

• Place them around focal images for added dimension and movement.

• Use them as “stars” on your galaxy background.

• Use with special, jewel-themed designs. Tip: Use gems for crafting sparingly to maintain balance.

3. Enamel Dots 

These embellishments add a soft, tactile pop of color to your paper crafting projects. They come in glossy and matte finishes and are available in various sizes and shapes (circle, heart, star). These subtle embellishments can easily add depth and movement to your cards, scrapbooks, and other DIY projects. Plus, here at Altenew, we have enamel dots in color families that coordinate with all our ink family colors, making it easy for you to color-match your projects.

Here’s a Quick Guide on Paper Crafting Tools

4. Die-Cut Stickers and Ephemera

If you need a quick embellishment with a lot of impact, ready-to-use die-cut stickers and ephemera are perfect for you. These are a fun way to add personality to any project, plus you can use them as focal points too!

How to use die-cut shapes and ephemera:

• Layer them over your card front to create unique scenes.

• Tuck behind focal images for visual depth.

• Use them to frame an image or a sentiment.

5. Ribbon, Twine, and Fabric Embellishments

If you’re looking for more warmth and softness in your paper crafting projects, use a touch of textile for embellishment. This type of crafting embellishment is so versatile! You can use it as-is, use only a part of it, turn it into a different shape, or even turn it into part of the focal image.   

How to use ribbon, twine, and fabric embellishments:

• Wrap ribbon around the card panels for a framed look.

• Tie a bow for a classic finish.

• Use twine or ribbon as borders.

• Add metallic thread in or around sentiments and focal points for extra texture.

• Use twine around floral arrangements.

• Cut out patterns and images from fabric and use them as embellishments.

• Use fabric tabs as page markers in scrapbooks.

• Use ribbon or twine for DIY bookmarks and gift tags.

6. Wax Seals

Traditionally, wax seals were used to seal envelopes, sign letters, and show the authenticity of documents. With modern crafting, wax seals can now be used as focal points and embellishments in cardmaking and scrapbooking. They don’t just add visual flair, they also make your projects more dimensional and interesting.  

Read More on DIY Wax Seal Ideas

7. DIY Embellishments: Turn Scraps Into Stunning Accents

Did you know that your leftover scraps and “mistake” pieces can be transformed into unique embellishments for your handmade cards? Instead of tossing them aside, give your unused die-cuts, stamped images, or negative cutouts a second life!

Whether it's a sentiment that is stamped a little off-center or a flower die-cut in the wrong color, these “imperfections” are perfect for creating layered embellishments, background clusters, or dimensional focal points. All it takes is a little creativity and a few simple tools—like your favorite glue tape, foam dots, and a paper trimmer!

How to make your own cardmaking embellishments: 

• Use leftover foliage and leaf die-cuts in floral arrangements.

• Customize enamel dots by coloring them with alcohol markers!

• Use negative die-cut pieces and other small paper scraps in shaker cards.

• Use basic geometric dies (star, heart, and circle) to cut out shapes from patterned paper. These die-cuts can be used as background decorations, embellishments, or for added interest to your focal points.

• Layer them up! Combine several die-cuts or stamped images to create custom embellishment clusters.

• Create faux chipboard shapes by stacking several of the same die-cut together for a thick, dimensional feel.

• Don’t throw away those negative die-cut pieces– use them as stencils or frame accents for sentiments.

• Punch out mini shapes from leftover paper scraps and build confetti or shaker elements.

• Make mini tags or banners from small cardstock leftovers, perfect for tucking behind florals or sentiments.

Not only is this a fantastic way to reduce waste, but it also helps you stretch your supplies and make each handmade card even more personal. Embrace the imperfections—sometimes they lead to the most beautiful surprises!

How to Use Embellishments in Scrapbooking

Scrapbooking is the ultimate playground for embellishment lovers—it’s where your creativity can run wild and no detail is too small! Whether you're highlighting a treasured memory, documenting a milestone, or simply preserving everyday moments, embellishments help bring your stories to life with personality and charm.

Craft embellishments are more than just “decorations”—they’re storytelling tools. They add dimension, texture, color, and emotional context to your layouts. From colorful enamel dots to layered die-cuts to sparkly gemstones, the possibilities are endless.

Here are some ideas on how to use embellishments in scrapbooking:

1. Highlight photos by using embellishments to frame or draw attention to them.

2. Tell your story by adding small labels, tabs, or banners. You can even add hidden messages or surprises to your scrapbook page.

3. Emphasize journaling and sentiments by adding embellishments near or around them.

4. Spread your embellishments evenly for visual flow. You don’t want to cluster them around just one area of your page.

How to Use Embellishments in Paper Crafting

Embellishments are like the jewelry of paper crafting—they add sparkle, charm, and personality to your handmade projects. But just like accessories in fashion, a little goes a long way. Whether you're designing handmade cards, scrapbook pages, journaling, or decorating planner pages, the key is to use embellishments with intention and balance.

• Less is more: Focus on enhancing, not overwhelming. It’s tempting to use lots of pretty crafting gemstones and sequins, but restraint can make your designs more elegant and cohesive.

• Stick with a theme: Before you start embellishing, ask yourself: What’s the mood or story of this piece? Soft, delicate, and elegant? Or bright, glittery, and playful? Matching your embellishments to your theme helps everything feel intentional and polished.

• Layer thoughtfully: Flat cards are classic, but dimension adds a wow factor. Combine flat elements—like washi tape, stamped images, or stenciled patterns—with raised details like foam-mounted sentiments, chipboard shapes, or puffy stickers. Layering not only adds visual interest but also creates tactile contrast that draws the eye.

What Is the Rule of Threes in Design?

The Rule of Threes is a design concept based on the idea that things arranged in odd numbers—especially threes—are more visually appealing, engaging, and natural to the human eye. This principle is widely used in interior design, photography, art, and yes, even paper crafting.

Why three? Our brains like patterns and asymmetry. When we see things grouped in threes, our eyes naturally move around the design, creating visual interest and balance without being too rigid or repetitive.

How Does the Rule of Threes Apply to Cardmaking?

When you’re working on a handmade card or scrapbook page, the Rule of Threes can help you:

• Create balance without symmetry

• Guide the viewer’s eye around your design

• Make your embellishment choices look intentional—not random

Find More Cardmaking Tips and Tricks

3 Ways Crafters Can Apply the Rule of Threes to Embellishments

1. Group in Threes

When adding embellishments, place them in clusters of three. This grouping keeps your design visually balanced, even if it’s asymmetrical.

• 3 sequins scattered around a sentiment

• 3 gemstones near a floral focal point

• 3 enamel dots aligned in a corner

2. Use Three Design Zones

Imagine your handmade card as a grid divided into 9 sections (a 3” x 3” layout). Apply embellishments to three different zones, like the top left, the bottom right, and the center. This technique adds movement and leads the eye across the card.

3. Vary Shape, Size, or Color Within the Three

Keep it interesting by mixing different shapes, colors, and sizes. For instance, you can use a large craft gem with two smaller ones, three enamel dots in different shades of the same color family, or one sparkly rhinestone and two matte enamel dots. This creates harmony while avoiding monotony.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Why do my embellishments feel off?” Most times, it’s because they're added haphazardly. The Rule of Threes brings intention to your layout and prevents overdesigning.

While the Rule of Threes is a great starting point, don’t be afraid to break it once you’ve mastered it. Let it enhance your creativity, not confine it.

So next time you’re reaching for your craft jewels, sequins, or gems for crafting, remember this: Three is not just a number—it’s a design superpower.

Embellishment Tips from Expert Crafters

• Sequins are like confetti for your card—use them to celebrate your creativity.” 

• Craft jewels instantly upgrade a simple design. Just one can act as the perfect focal point.

• Remember to secure heavy embellishments with strong adhesive or foam tape to keep your cards intact.

Common Embellishment Types

Make Your Handmade Cards Shine with Different Types of Embellishments

No matter your crafting style—whether you’re drawn to clean and simple designs or you love going all out with layers, textures, and sparkles—embellishments give you the power to truly personalize your projects. They’re the final touch that transforms a beautiful card into a heartfelt keepsake.

From subtle shimmer to bold bling, embellishments help you tell your story—one gem, one sequin, one enamel dot at a time. Each detail you add reflects your creativity, your mood, and the love you put into your craft. Explore different textures, mix and match materials, or even try making your own DIY embellishments from leftover supplies. There are no rules here—just opportunities to express yourself and bring joy to others through the art of paper crafting.

Whether you're designing a birthday card, journaling a special memory, or decorating your travel planner, let your embellishments add that extra spark of magic! Happy crafting!

FAQs

Irick Arbuso

Irick balances her life between the pages of gripping mystery-thriller novels and the beats of her favorite tunes. Her obsession with true crime has her glued to documentaries and podcasts, often leading to late-night “whodunit” marathons. When she’s not crafting with Altenew goodies, you’ll catch her practicing yoga or re-watching her fave "Friends" episodes—because some classics never get old!