Old fashioned paper maps are beautiful and colorful. Try one of these four crafts with maps to add to your home decor or make as gifts.
I can't tell you the last time I looked at a paper map for directions. Today all we do is use our GPS on the phone or car. However, it wasn't that long ago that we used maps for all of our car trips.
Typically they were folded up into a neat narrow package. However, often when I attempted to open one up fully I sometimes would end up covering the view of the driver, my husband, and that wasn't good.
Still, I always thought they were pretty and maybe you've noticed that today many people are crafting with maps.
Wouldn't this be a great way to memorialize a special trip or perhaps be the inspiration for a trip not yet taken?
Making Crafts with Maps
Where to Find Maps
You may have a stash of them in a box somewhere. Or maybe you've found some antique maps at your local vintage shop. They are all great candidates for crafting. And, if you don't have any you can find some online on a stock photo site like Deposit Photos and print them on your inkjet printer.
Other Free Online Map Sources
Coasters with Maps
Maps look great on coasters. Just use some mod podge or white glue. Then spray them with several coats of poly or use brush-on poly to make sure they are protected and durable.
These are the same ceramic coasters I used for my family photo coasters but you can use square ceramic tiles, wood tiles, or any other coaster base.
Maps on Candle Holders
It can't be more simple than this. You can find these candle holders or glass vases at the dollar store. Just wrap the map around it, use a bit of glue or double-stick tape to secure it into place. Then place a pillar candle inside for a pretty glowing piece of home decor.
Make Map Piggy Bank with a Mason Jar
Pick your destination. Find a map of the place and start saving for that trip with this cute piggy bank idea. Here I've used a mason jar but any jar would work well.
Map Gift Bags
Just as you can make a bag from wrapping paper, I think the beauty of printed maps makes an excellent little gift bag. You can use this handy video to give you an idea of how to create a bag from paper.
Want more? Just search map crafts on Google or Pinterest and you will find tons of inspiration. For now, I hope you enjoy some of the ideas I created here for you.
Devie
Love your crafts...so cute.
Where are you getting your images from the maps so that you don't have trademark issues? Thank you.
KK
Patti Estep
I'm not sure what you are looking for. There is a whole section on the post for places you can find maps. Also, the Graphics Fairy has a good description regarding copyright laws.
Claire
As you probably already know, I'm fascinated by old maps and craft with them regularly. Thanks for linking up to my free maps.
Patti Estep
Claire, your work is an inspiration. I was so happy to have a place to offer my readers beautiful maps to print and create with and I hope they stick around and check out all your ideas.
Linda Johnston
What good ideas! I really like the gift bag.
Patti Estep
Thanks Linda. The maps do make cute gift bags.
Carole West
Patti - this is fun and I remember using paper maps for years. I've gotten lazy and now use the phone but I have to say that following an adventure with paper can't be beat... I may have to do that on our next road trip because we keep an atlas in our truck. Great ideas here and so easy to recreate.
Patti Estep
Thanks Carole. I know a lot of my readers can relate. Sometimes I wish I could still pick up a map in a gas station but those days are long gone.