These whimsical purses, wallets, bowls, and belts were carefully-obsessively-folded from gum wrappers, cigarette packs, postage stamps, matchbooks, and potato-chip bags. It's an art with roots in the Depression, and because of its time-intensive nature, it was often practiced in prisons, says New York dealer Janet West. “When people don't have a lot, they use what they have. Art somehow survives,” West says. These folk crafts created over seven decades ago make excellent gifts and collectibles today.

Prices: $150-$350.

Good buys under $100: Picture frames for $75.

Dealer’s tip: Look to the packaging materials to reveal country or region of origin and dates.