How to make new paper look old

By: Sadie Raddatz

Need something new and creative for a project? Or want to add a new twist to a photo? Flames work great. Warning: be careful!

Materials:
- Paper (letter, photograph, etc.)
- A candle or lighter

1. Work over a sink. If you accidentally light the paper on fire, you can just drop it into the sink.
2. Light a candle, or try to find a lighter. If you're using a lighter, please consider having another person hold the flame while you handle the paper.
3. Burn the edges. This will create the antique look on the paper. Warning: Do not put it too long on one place by the candle. You don’t want to catch the paper on fire. Do not put the flame directly onto the paper. You want the heat of the flame to darken the paper.
4. If you want little holes in the paper, put the paper around an inch above the candle or lighter and just hold it there. When there is a small flame on the paper, blow on it. Repeat this step until you have all the necessary holes you want, but be careful to not add too many, or it will be hard to decipher.

It only takes four easy steps to make a photo look distinctive and it's very creative way to add a new and fresh, yet vintage and unique, look to anything.