Summer Projects

No doubt about it, this is my favorite time of year here in the Northern Hemisphere. We're at the height of our summer temperatures, so it's the perfect time for this beachy post.Perhaps you remember the starfish and shell tutorial I wrote for FoldingTrees.com. I thought you might like to see a couple of other sea-themed pendants I made for the same order last autumn. A friend who lives on the coast of Maine had asked me to design them for her to give as gifts and I was delighted to take on the challenge. There's nothing quite like tackling a new project such as this... I'm always excited, and quite honestly a little bit anxious about whether the end result will be what I've envisioned. I begin by googling images of the object and ideas start to flow; soon I'm sketching out a design and then rolling and pinching paper strips. I love seeing the form take shape and even though the finished result often isn't the same as the initial sketch, that's okay!

Here's a card project from several years ago that's in keeping with today's sea theme. It's busier and cuter than my usual fare, but I enjoyed making it nonetheless.I'd joined a group swap and the challenge was to make something that would identify where I lived. Since my state is bordered in part by the Atlantic Ocean and the Delaware Bay, I decided to quill a beach scene with an oversized sand bucket of Delaware blue crabs front and center. They're oh so delicious at this time of year. Wait... but they're not blue, you say? Just like shrimp, crabs turn a glorious shade of red-orange when steamed.

Hmmm, that gives me an idea... perhaps I should quill a gilded crab pendant. I can see it now... the poor crab, hanging by a claw, and grabbing on for dear life.

Group swaps by the way, are a great way to meet other people who love to do whatever art/craft it is that you enjoy. I can almost guarantee you'll improve your skill in the process via not only what you make, but also by seeing pictures of what everyone else creates.