Papier mâché has a very long history. Its origins comes from China; the inventors of paper itself. They used papier mâché to make helmets of all things, which they toughened by many layers of lacquer. Examples have been found dating back to the Han Dynasty (BC 202 – AD 220).
Everyone remembers those days as a child pasting newspaper cut outs onto paper and bundling lots of papers together with some fancy ribbon. And probably everyone remembers the moment when your hard work falling apart two months later. Now, how to make it lasts a bit longer? Let’s start to make a proper scrapbook!
Making your own paper is highly satisfying. A little time must be spent beforehead to prepare the mould and deckle and to gather equipment, but once everything is assembled, paper can be made time and again.
Kirsty Elson studied illustration, specialising in printmaking, at Cambridge School of Art, and her work is deeply inspired by the county of Cornwall.
After moving back to the South West, and becoming mum to two boys, Kirsty couldn’t restrain her creativity any longer and she began making cards from local driftwood.
Jill Flower graduated from East Berkshire College in 2007 with a Diploma of Higher Education in Stitched Textiles (Distinction) and has also been nominated as a Licentiate of the Society of Designer Craftsmen. Jill have an avid interest in stitched textiles which now spans over 20 years.
Quilling is the art of rolling long, narrow strips of paper into one of a number of basic shapes, including coils, scrolls and teardrops – some of which are squashed and creased – and applying them to a background to create abstract or figurative designs.
Sculpting in paper is just as creative as working in wood, metal or stone, and like all true art, it can be practised and enjoyed at any level. Even the inexperienced can produce attractive sculptures that will give pleasure to themselves and others.
Quilling isn’t a difficult craft, but it can take a little practice to get the tension right. Take a strip of quilling paper and tear it in half, or even quarters. Do not cut it with scissors as the sharp edge will be more noticeable in the finished shape. The soft, torn edge is less visible.
