My friend Pamela introduced me to Rolodex art a few years ago. I had never seen them before and when I saw some of her displays, I was amazed and very much inspired.
What an incredible idea. Use Rolodex cards as places where to make art, and then have them on display for inspiration later. I already knew I loved to create small collages, so I knew I could make a go with Rolodex card art.
It took me a little while to get started, but last year I began making some.
This year I wanted to create more but I began to think about how I wanted to display them. I found this “open rotary” Rolodex card file at a second-hand craft store, which holds the cards in a circular configuration, and knew that this was how I wanted to display my cards.
This file is an actual Rolodex product. It came with a bunch of old, yellowed cards. I’m keeping them and will use them as I continue to collage more. The paper is a bit thin, so I glue two cards together.
I love that I can flip through them and have visual access to all of them so quickly.
How do I make them?
It can take some time to create a single card, so I prefer to do a series. I found pages of cards that are pre-cut at the Goodwill. They used to be a regular offering at most office supply stores. With the sheets, all I need to do is embellish, and when the page is complete (both sides), I can separate the cards easily. This process is great because I can get a colored background easily on multiple cards, or even run the whole page through my printer. This really gives me a lot of options for creating interesting collages.
Here I used rubber stamps that straddle 2 cards. After I separate the cards, they look like the ones below.
In the cards above, notice the orientation of the notches–they are on top. That’s because these are B sides. The second side is “upside down” so that you can see it displayed correctly when you flip through. The A side is with the notches at the base.
Here’s the A side. It’s hard to notice the notches at the base. You’ll see them more clearly when they are separated.
I finally got to use this neat rubber stamp with someones’s signature that I picked up at an estate sale. I bet that Manager would never have guessed his signature would be used for something like this!
Here’s how the cards look separated.
How do I cut out the notches?
One question I hear people ask is, how do I cut out the notches so cleanly? In the sheets, everything is pre-cut, but when I want to add papers near the notches, I use a punch for cutting the shape. A few years ago I found this punch by Heidi Swapp, though now that I am looking online, I don’t see it being made or sold any longer. This is what it looks like.
I hope they become available again. It isn’t perfect, but it sure helps when I want to collage on the whole card. You could always use scissors to cut away the hole; that’s what many others do. You can hardly notice when the cards are in the Rolodex file, anyway.
There are also dies that can be found online. I found this one on Amazon and it works quite well.
I love the idea of a Rolodex system as a gluebook. It’s a place I can store and display my collage art, so yes, it’s a gluebook!
The “Books and Authors” postcards
I really like your collages. I was wondering about the book in the header. Are the pages made from thick card initially? I am guessing the size is about 2.5 inches by 5?
Thanks, Angela 🙂 Do you mean the index cards in all of the banner images? They are extended index cards, so yes, it’s like a heavy cardstock. They are 3.5″ x 6.25″.
Hi, Margarete – I think these are beautiful and I’d like to make this one of my on-going projects for the coming year. I just found a YouTube video for using a Cinch machine to make the Rolodex holes. Who knew! Yay! Here’s the link: https://youtu.be/GLI65S9RXTI
Warm regards. 😊
Awesome! Thanks for sharing that link. I’ve been wondering about techniques for doing that! Have fun with working on yours. I really enjoy finishing a couple and then coming back a month or so later to make more.
Awesome link you provided! Thank you so much!
I definitely want to try this too, and may begin today. I’m super lucky I guess because I already own the circular rollodex and hundreds of cards. I actually used to use them for names, addresses, phone #s! Now my contacts are on my phone and I will use my supplies to make collages. Thanks so much, Margarete (and Pam!) for introducing us to this fun collaging option!
It would be pretty awesome, Trudy, if you leave some of those names and numbers in the Rolodex, along with your art. I love the idea that you keep “contacts” or have some memories or connection to the info you’ve got on those cards, along with art next to it. I think that would be so cool 🙂
Some very beautiful photos. I really love this post and I have enjoyed all the groups creativity with these. I started a few cards for a small rollodex I had hidden away. I’m on the mend after all of Decembers issues, so maybe I can get with it again. THANK You so much for all you do.
Yay! That’s great, Sylvia. I’m so glad you’re on the mend and back to creating. Rolodex cards are a very doable project because they are small. Even just completing one leaves you with a feeling of accomplishment. I like that I can do as many or as few as I feel like and I’ve completed something. 🙂
i already have a card-filled circular rolodex on my amazon shopping list. i’m going to remove the cards & letter dividers & spray paint the black plastic frame, probably turquoise because i have a ridiculous amount of turquoise spray paint left over from another project. when i start collaging, i’m going to use the letters to determine my starting point/initial element.
That’s great, Barbara, that you’ve got some solid plans for your soon-to-be-arriving Rolodex. I love your idea with the letter separators 🙂
Oh my goodness gracious, I’m so happy to have found your group! I’m just starting out on the Journals, and investigating various methods. Pleased as punch to see the tea dying in a large pot, leaving overnight. I’m a big tea drinker, so this technique is right up my alley. Love this post too about smaller scale projects to start with index cards. I used to use a Rolodex on my desk, years ago, it would be nice to have still & create with my thoughts/artistry. Thank you so much for sharing your ideas!
I’m so glad you’re on this journey with us, Gillian! How neat to be able to incorporate a Rolodex into your creative life now. I’m sure you’ll find it so rewarding 🙂