I had been introduced to the Mrs. John L. Strong company via Martha Stewart's magazine and television show years ago and was sorry to read it is closing after 80 years in business. Chalk it up to these challenging economic times. The Madison Avenue go-to shop for royalty, celebrities, and socialites sold custom hand-engraved, hand-crafted invitations, as well its own line of the finest papers... the kind you just know are ultra-expensive the moment you feel the weight of the envelope in your hand. The end of the elegant, old world era... perhaps take a few minutes to watch this very nicely made video about the company and its interesting history.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Sign of the Times
I noticed this article in the New York Times last week... Mrs. John L. Strong, Closed Stationer, Sends Regrets
I had been introduced to the Mrs. John L. Strong company via Martha Stewart's magazine and television show years ago and was sorry to read it is closing after 80 years in business. Chalk it up to these challenging economic times. The Madison Avenue go-to shop for royalty, celebrities, and socialites sold custom hand-engraved, hand-crafted invitations, as well its own line of the finest papers... the kind you just know are ultra-expensive the moment you feel the weight of the envelope in your hand. The end of the elegant, old world era... perhaps take a few minutes to watch this very nicely made video about the company and its interesting history.
I had been introduced to the Mrs. John L. Strong company via Martha Stewart's magazine and television show years ago and was sorry to read it is closing after 80 years in business. Chalk it up to these challenging economic times. The Madison Avenue go-to shop for royalty, celebrities, and socialites sold custom hand-engraved, hand-crafted invitations, as well its own line of the finest papers... the kind you just know are ultra-expensive the moment you feel the weight of the envelope in your hand. The end of the elegant, old world era... perhaps take a few minutes to watch this very nicely made video about the company and its interesting history.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Gilded Compass Card
A different take on yesterday's Best Wishes sentiment... this golden compass design would be great to send to a graduate or perhaps it would make a nice retirement or bon voyage card. 
But come to think of it, does anyone actually send bon voyage cards or are they as passe as the days of lengthy ocean crossings?!
The card was my first try at quilled lettering - I found it enjoyable, if not a bit tedious. Thus my hat is off to Yulia Brodskaya, the Russian born artist whose paper filigree letters are nothing short of astonishing - so incredibly detailed with each scroll and coil perfectly placed. Like this:
Speaking as one who has been working with a needle tool and tiny strips of paper for quite a while, I can vouch for the fact that Yulia's extraordinary talent is very rare indeed. Something tells me she will never, ever run out of ideas!
Visit artyulia.com
But come to think of it, does anyone actually send bon voyage cards or are they as passe as the days of lengthy ocean crossings?!The card was my first try at quilled lettering - I found it enjoyable, if not a bit tedious. Thus my hat is off to Yulia Brodskaya, the Russian born artist whose paper filigree letters are nothing short of astonishing - so incredibly detailed with each scroll and coil perfectly placed. Like this:
Speaking as one who has been working with a needle tool and tiny strips of paper for quite a while, I can vouch for the fact that Yulia's extraordinary talent is very rare indeed. Something tells me she will never, ever run out of ideas!
Visit artyulia.com
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Best Wishes!
If you'd like to learn how to make this double fringed flowers card, perfect for a summer wedding, zip over to HeartHandmade for my step-by-step tutorial.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
UPS Cardboard Epics
While whizzing through a recorded Martha Stewart tv episode recently to look for Eloise Corr Danch's poppy segment, I was stopped in my tracks by a UPS Store commercial. Have you seen this cardboard goodness?! If not, YouTube to the rescue... when I went to see if some kind soul had posted it, not only was the commercial there, but I found another that's equally awesome.
credit: www.advertolog.com
Take a look at both - they're just 30 seconds each:
The Circus
The Gladiator
The $30 million campaign was developed at Doner Advertising in Southfield, Michigan and also includes radio, print and online ads. The animation was produced by Psyop, New York, and Tool of North America filmed the live action sequences in a UPS store in Whittier, California. Such clever people!
And on another note, many thanks to the lovely site FoldingTrees where my very first online tutorial has been featured. I show how to make these gilded paper pendants that will dress up any summer outfit.
credit: www.advertolog.comTake a look at both - they're just 30 seconds each:
The Circus
The Gladiator
The $30 million campaign was developed at Doner Advertising in Southfield, Michigan and also includes radio, print and online ads. The animation was produced by Psyop, New York, and Tool of North America filmed the live action sequences in a UPS store in Whittier, California. Such clever people!
And on another note, many thanks to the lovely site FoldingTrees where my very first online tutorial has been featured. I show how to make these gilded paper pendants that will dress up any summer outfit.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Provencal fabric to paper
Here's a foot loose and fancy free design I came up with that makes me think of summer days in sunny Provence... not that I've visited there yet, but a girl can dream.
The filigree design of shaped wheatears, coils, and alternate side looping was drawn from the patterned background. The paper started out as a fabric sample I admired on a French website. I printed it out and added the glossy blue cardstock strips that were cut from the cover of a catalog. And so, I repeat my mantra.... you never know where or when you'll come across design inspiration and project-useful paper supplies.
And hear ye, hear ye... don't forget about my Blog Candy contest! No matter where you are in the world, there's still time to try your hand at quilling a king and/or queen based (loosely, or not) on the ones featured on the new U.S. stamps. To enter, email a jpeg of your design to ann.b.martin at gmail.com by May 31st.
The filigree design of shaped wheatears, coils, and alternate side looping was drawn from the patterned background. The paper started out as a fabric sample I admired on a French website. I printed it out and added the glossy blue cardstock strips that were cut from the cover of a catalog. And so, I repeat my mantra.... you never know where or when you'll come across design inspiration and project-useful paper supplies.And hear ye, hear ye... don't forget about my Blog Candy contest! No matter where you are in the world, there's still time to try your hand at quilling a king and/or queen based (loosely, or not) on the ones featured on the new U.S. stamps. To enter, email a jpeg of your design to ann.b.martin at gmail.com by May 31st.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Paper Filigree Exhibition
A year ago this weekend I had the pleasure of attending the opening of a solo exhibit of my paper filigree work at the Brandywine River Museum in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania. Well... not entirely true... yes, it was all my work except for two uniquely beautiful antique tea caddies from the 1780s. They had been quilled by unknown makers and were in excellent condition. Click on the picture if you'd like a closer look. 
Aren't they something to see?! Such vivid color after all this time and the intricate design is pretty incredible. Their presence lent an important historical perspective to the display and the detail of the workmanship makes today's filigree style appear minimalistic in comparison.
I'll long remember stepping off the elevator that evening and seeing the professional display cases and signage as arranged by the curator. What a thrill!
But the best part of all was talking to the museum patrons about what I do - most had never heard of paper filigree, much less seen examples of the art. I exhibited twenty three framed pieces, objects, and gilded jewelry and promise to share pictures of individual pieces included in the show in future posts.
Aren't they something to see?! Such vivid color after all this time and the intricate design is pretty incredible. Their presence lent an important historical perspective to the display and the detail of the workmanship makes today's filigree style appear minimalistic in comparison.I'll long remember stepping off the elevator that evening and seeing the professional display cases and signage as arranged by the curator. What a thrill!
But the best part of all was talking to the museum patrons about what I do - most had never heard of paper filigree, much less seen examples of the art. I exhibited twenty three framed pieces, objects, and gilded jewelry and promise to share pictures of individual pieces included in the show in future posts.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Phone book dress!
Oh you must go see more pics of this exquisite paper dress. Jolis Paons used only phone book pages, stitches, and glue to make it by hand for a Creative Processes class. It definitely deserves an A+!
Thanks to Ullabenulla for this great find.
Thanks to Ullabenulla for this great find.
Graduated colors
If you're not familiar with the specialty papers available for paper filigree, there are loads of options - beautiful options! Pearlized or parchment strips, speckled, glistening, or sparkling, pearl edge or silver, gold, or copper gilded edge papers, two-tone strips with a different color on each side, not to mention a rainbow of colors from pastel to jewel-tone. My very favorite variety just might be the graduated colors. Because nothing is ever simple, there are {happy} choices within this category also. There's the type that's shaded most in the center of each strip with the color lightening at the ends and there's also a strip that starts out dark and lightens toward the opposite end.
This is a bookmark card I made for a quilling friend in Dubai that's an example of using graduated color strips. You can randomly cut the papers without thinking about the color variations for a casual look, or as I did here, cut the strips so the shading is the same for each flower petal.
The filigree design was inspired by an embroidery or beadwork pattern. In looking at it now, if I had it to do over again I think I'd leave out one of the elements toward the bottom as it's a tad cramped... ah well... best laid plans and all that! The background paper started out as an envelope liner that came in the mail - but me being me, it was just too pretty to throw away. I attached the cardstock bookmark with a small sticky dot at each end so it could easily be removed for use.
This is a bookmark card I made for a quilling friend in Dubai that's an example of using graduated color strips. You can randomly cut the papers without thinking about the color variations for a casual look, or as I did here, cut the strips so the shading is the same for each flower petal.The filigree design was inspired by an embroidery or beadwork pattern. In looking at it now, if I had it to do over again I think I'd leave out one of the elements toward the bottom as it's a tad cramped... ah well... best laid plans and all that! The background paper started out as an envelope liner that came in the mail - but me being me, it was just too pretty to throw away. I attached the cardstock bookmark with a small sticky dot at each end so it could easily be removed for use.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Tricky folded roses
It's been all about paper flowers this week - small wonder, as it is the merry month of flower-filled May here in the northern hemisphere. Today I'd like to introduce you to Paula Bauer, a self-professed folded rose addict.
Folded roses are one of those bugaboo techniques that often frustrate those of us who do paper filigree. When I was first learning, I remember having a devil of a time getting them to look like they were flowers rather than torpedoes - the centers kept springing up and out. Luckily I had met Paula, owner of Gem State Quilling, via an online quilling group, and she kindly talked me through her method. I was able to understand exactly how she makes them and make them she does! As a busy mom of five, Paula finds that roses are something really easy to do whenever she has a spare moment... she can fold a pocketful no matter where she happens to be. When she gets back to her desk, she simply repositions the folds as needed, glues the ends, and has an assortment to use in projects.
Take a look at this beautiful rose trellis journal cover Paula designed for a custom order.
I love the way she wove paper strips to create the trellis and how the roses spill over its confines the way they do in real life. The casual lettering gives the journal a personal touch.
If you would like to learn Paula's foolproof method, she's compiled step by step instructions and photographs, available as an emailed or snail-mailed pattern. She also offers techniques for making hydrangeas, poppies, and wild roses - all are so realistic, I think you'll be impressed and inspired to make some of your own. 
On her blog, Give It a Twirl, Paula recently posted about an eighteenth century filigree piece that's looking for a good home. It would be pretty special to own such a beautiful piece of history!
Folded roses are one of those bugaboo techniques that often frustrate those of us who do paper filigree. When I was first learning, I remember having a devil of a time getting them to look like they were flowers rather than torpedoes - the centers kept springing up and out. Luckily I had met Paula, owner of Gem State Quilling, via an online quilling group, and she kindly talked me through her method. I was able to understand exactly how she makes them and make them she does! As a busy mom of five, Paula finds that roses are something really easy to do whenever she has a spare moment... she can fold a pocketful no matter where she happens to be. When she gets back to her desk, she simply repositions the folds as needed, glues the ends, and has an assortment to use in projects.
Take a look at this beautiful rose trellis journal cover Paula designed for a custom order.
I love the way she wove paper strips to create the trellis and how the roses spill over its confines the way they do in real life. The casual lettering gives the journal a personal touch.
If you would like to learn Paula's foolproof method, she's compiled step by step instructions and photographs, available as an emailed or snail-mailed pattern. She also offers techniques for making hydrangeas, poppies, and wild roses - all are so realistic, I think you'll be impressed and inspired to make some of your own. 
On her blog, Give It a Twirl, Paula recently posted about an eighteenth century filigree piece that's looking for a good home. It would be pretty special to own such a beautiful piece of history!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Eloise Corr Danch
Eloise Corr Danch of New York City is an illustrator, painter, and designer of products, props, sets, and graphics, as well as an imaginative paper sculptor.
In April, her captivating paper floral work was displayed in the windows of Macy's Herald Square store in Manhattan as promotion of the retailer's 2009 Flower Show. She designed 2500! handmade paper flowers, arranged as eye-catching garlands and headdresses.
In 2007 she collaborated with the New York design team, Ruffian, to create this elegant Rococo paper dress. Eloise credits the project in launching her fascination with three-dimensional paper design.
Last summer her impressively regal paper sculpture, titled Lady Dulcinea, was featured in the gallery of Anthropologie's flagship store in New York's Rockefeller Center.
Don't miss Eloise on Martha Stewart's television show tomorrow, Wednesday. She and Martha will be making paper poppies - so timely with Memorial Day on the horizon. Check U.S. local listings for time and channel. The show re-airs on Thursday evening on the Fine Living Network (FLN). Segments are also usually available for viewing on Martha's website.
In April, her captivating paper floral work was displayed in the windows of Macy's Herald Square store in Manhattan as promotion of the retailer's 2009 Flower Show. She designed 2500! handmade paper flowers, arranged as eye-catching garlands and headdresses.
In 2007 she collaborated with the New York design team, Ruffian, to create this elegant Rococo paper dress. Eloise credits the project in launching her fascination with three-dimensional paper design.
Last summer her impressively regal paper sculpture, titled Lady Dulcinea, was featured in the gallery of Anthropologie's flagship store in New York's Rockefeller Center.
Don't miss Eloise on Martha Stewart's television show tomorrow, Wednesday. She and Martha will be making paper poppies - so timely with Memorial Day on the horizon. Check U.S. local listings for time and channel. The show re-airs on Thursday evening on the Fine Living Network (FLN). Segments are also usually available for viewing on Martha's website.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Pretty paper flowers
Sue Custer, a talented quiller from Missouri, made this beautiful basket of life-size flowers as one of her design team projects for the May issue of the Custom Quilling newsletter. Zinnias and daisies speak to me of the promise of bright summer days - I'm so ready!
Sue has been quilling since childhood and honed her skill via Quill Art kits that are now considered vintage. That word is used pretty loosely in relation to quilling though, as Sue personally doesn't fall into the vintage category!
She used a Sissex die-cutter to make the shapes for some of the flowers and leaves; others are quilled, fringed, or husked. To make the die cut zinnias, she cut away petals from the top two layers and brought edges together to make each layer a bit smaller than the one below. Curving the petals downward adds to the realistic look. Sue covered the collapsible cardboard pot with terra cotta cardstock and applied brown chalk to the edges.
If you're interested in paper filigree, but have never visited the Custom Quilling site, clear a block of time as you're in for a treat. Denise Cameron, the owner and a long-time quiller, sells essential supplies for quilling and punch art, as well as lots of helpful items you probably never knew existed. The site is a great resource... online classes, patterns, product reviews, as well as a list of quilling teachers, blogs, groups, and guilds. Be sure to sign up for the mailing list - it's the best way to see each edition of the monthly newsletter.
And here's another idea for bright paper flowers - these crepe paper beauties were made by Linda Permann of CraftStylish. She's written a super tutorial that can be found here.
Sue has been quilling since childhood and honed her skill via Quill Art kits that are now considered vintage. That word is used pretty loosely in relation to quilling though, as Sue personally doesn't fall into the vintage category!She used a Sissex die-cutter to make the shapes for some of the flowers and leaves; others are quilled, fringed, or husked. To make the die cut zinnias, she cut away petals from the top two layers and brought edges together to make each layer a bit smaller than the one below. Curving the petals downward adds to the realistic look. Sue covered the collapsible cardboard pot with terra cotta cardstock and applied brown chalk to the edges.
If you're interested in paper filigree, but have never visited the Custom Quilling site, clear a block of time as you're in for a treat. Denise Cameron, the owner and a long-time quiller, sells essential supplies for quilling and punch art, as well as lots of helpful items you probably never knew existed. The site is a great resource... online classes, patterns, product reviews, as well as a list of quilling teachers, blogs, groups, and guilds. Be sure to sign up for the mailing list - it's the best way to see each edition of the monthly newsletter.
And here's another idea for bright paper flowers - these crepe paper beauties were made by Linda Permann of CraftStylish. She's written a super tutorial that can be found here.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Postage stamps = design ideas = Blog Candy!
I've always thought it would be cool to quill a joker... you know, the playing card kind with the zany hat... the bright outfit... and the silly expression.
I did some googling for inspiration...
Here's the circus clown variety...
and a prancing drum major with a baton... or maybe it's a back scratcher?
This fellow is downright scary - he has to be the one that inspired the Batman creative team. I know the blue thing is a collar, but what I'm seeing instead is a big head, no neck, and a little crouching body down on all fours... er, fives, ready to spring. 
oh my... Siamese twin jokers
A Viking clown? The antlers are a great touch.
Hey, remember this dapper guy? I always thought a raven and a bat had swooped down and landed on his head. He looks quite pleased about it too.
Enough foolishness.... onto what prompted this post in the first place...
Lo and behold, look at the new love stamps just released by the U.S. post office - the King and Queen of Hearts! (They're what reminded me of my yen to quill a playing card joker.)
And she's an equal opportunity kind of gal, presenting him with flowers. Go sistah! He looks wary, she looks tentative .... I could write a story... but let's get on to the contest and candy!
Can I interest you in trying a king and/or queen design in paper filigree? Let your imagination go wild... your interpretation doesn't have to look just like the stamps. Email me a JPEG by May 31 of what you come up with so that I can share it here. Find my addy on my profile page; just put Blog Candy Entry in the subject line. I'll let you know I've received it. A judging panel of me, myself, and I will pick a favorite on June 1... or if we simply can't decide, then we'll go with an even-steven drawing. There are some very nice treats in it for the winner - a brand new copy of the latest issue of CardMaker magazine and some great paper supplies.
To show you an example of using a stamp as inspiration, here's something I made as a design team project a few years ago when I saw the 2006 wedding stamp...
I knew at first glance that the design was potentially quillable, so I gave it a shot. Not my best work ever, but I had a great time replicating the free-flowing design with metallic bronze and gold quilling strips on edge. The background paper is pretty busy, but I remember thinking its design reminded me of bird feet.
The 2009 wedding cake stamp is another one that would work well as a quilled design... look at all the scrolls! 
But for right now, just focus on quilling the King and/or Queen - I can't wait to see what lands in my inbox!
I did some googling for inspiration...
Here's the circus clown variety...
and a prancing drum major with a baton... or maybe it's a back scratcher?
This fellow is downright scary - he has to be the one that inspired the Batman creative team. I know the blue thing is a collar, but what I'm seeing instead is a big head, no neck, and a little crouching body down on all fours... er, fives, ready to spring. 
oh my... Siamese twin jokers
A Viking clown? The antlers are a great touch.
Hey, remember this dapper guy? I always thought a raven and a bat had swooped down and landed on his head. He looks quite pleased about it too.
Enough foolishness.... onto what prompted this post in the first place...Lo and behold, look at the new love stamps just released by the U.S. post office - the King and Queen of Hearts! (They're what reminded me of my yen to quill a playing card joker.)
And she's an equal opportunity kind of gal, presenting him with flowers. Go sistah! He looks wary, she looks tentative .... I could write a story... but let's get on to the contest and candy!Can I interest you in trying a king and/or queen design in paper filigree? Let your imagination go wild... your interpretation doesn't have to look just like the stamps. Email me a JPEG by May 31 of what you come up with so that I can share it here. Find my addy on my profile page; just put Blog Candy Entry in the subject line. I'll let you know I've received it. A judging panel of me, myself, and I will pick a favorite on June 1... or if we simply can't decide, then we'll go with an even-steven drawing. There are some very nice treats in it for the winner - a brand new copy of the latest issue of CardMaker magazine and some great paper supplies.
To show you an example of using a stamp as inspiration, here's something I made as a design team project a few years ago when I saw the 2006 wedding stamp...
I knew at first glance that the design was potentially quillable, so I gave it a shot. Not my best work ever, but I had a great time replicating the free-flowing design with metallic bronze and gold quilling strips on edge. The background paper is pretty busy, but I remember thinking its design reminded me of bird feet.
The 2009 wedding cake stamp is another one that would work well as a quilled design... look at all the scrolls! 
But for right now, just focus on quilling the King and/or Queen - I can't wait to see what lands in my inbox!
The Memory Loss Tapes
On Sunday night HBO aired The Memory Loss Tapes, the first portion of the new and excellent documentary series, The Alzheimer's Project. Additional segments followed on Monday and Tuesday; it will re-air throughout the month. Since the number of people with the disease is growing exponentially, it's a good idea to understand what may lie ahead for each of us and to learn about the newest advances in treatment that offer hope.
One of the families featured in The Memory Loss Tapes is a woman with Alzheimer's and her daughter, Annie, who is caring for her mother on a Minnesota farm. Like all of the stories told, theirs is heartbreaking, but very compelling. I found myself wanting to read more about the series, so I turned to the internet; a search led me indirectly to Annie's blog.
So how does all this tie in with art, and specifically paper art? Bear with me for a moment...
Their life together is a quiet one, mother and daughter, with a reversal of roles. Annie's mother must be watched every moment, just like a toddler; we see the daily exhaustion caretakers face. Before her illness, Annie's mother loved to paint. Although the disease has transformed her into a shadow of her former industrious self, it clearly hasn't suppressed her artistic nature. Annie's mom goes about her day carefully arranging balanced displays of small items she picks up around the house and yard and leaves them in unexpected places, as if trying to create order and beauty in the midst of her confusion.
Annie is a talented photographer and writes touching entries about her mother's artful vignettes and posts pictures of them on her blog.
I admire Annie for her steadfast devotion to her mother and resourcefulness in finding ways to keep her at home where she is most content. Annie raises alpacas and llamas for wool which she spins, dyes, and sells via her website to make ends meet. In addition to the wool products, I noticed she makes beautiful greeting cards that feature photographs she has taken on the farm over the past few years. Many have been digitally altered as effective line drawings.
I hope you'll watch The Alzheimer's Project. Even if you aren't a subscriber of HBO, it's available On Demand or can be watched online in its entirety.
One of the families featured in The Memory Loss Tapes is a woman with Alzheimer's and her daughter, Annie, who is caring for her mother on a Minnesota farm. Like all of the stories told, theirs is heartbreaking, but very compelling. I found myself wanting to read more about the series, so I turned to the internet; a search led me indirectly to Annie's blog.
So how does all this tie in with art, and specifically paper art? Bear with me for a moment...
Their life together is a quiet one, mother and daughter, with a reversal of roles. Annie's mother must be watched every moment, just like a toddler; we see the daily exhaustion caretakers face. Before her illness, Annie's mother loved to paint. Although the disease has transformed her into a shadow of her former industrious self, it clearly hasn't suppressed her artistic nature. Annie's mom goes about her day carefully arranging balanced displays of small items she picks up around the house and yard and leaves them in unexpected places, as if trying to create order and beauty in the midst of her confusion.
Annie is a talented photographer and writes touching entries about her mother's artful vignettes and posts pictures of them on her blog.
I admire Annie for her steadfast devotion to her mother and resourcefulness in finding ways to keep her at home where she is most content. Annie raises alpacas and llamas for wool which she spins, dyes, and sells via her website to make ends meet. In addition to the wool products, I noticed she makes beautiful greeting cards that feature photographs she has taken on the farm over the past few years. Many have been digitally altered as effective line drawings.
I hope you'll watch The Alzheimer's Project. Even if you aren't a subscriber of HBO, it's available On Demand or can be watched online in its entirety.Monday, May 11, 2009
Pine Tree Designs
Stefani Tadio of Pine Tree Designs combines two loves - paper and stitching - to make meticulously hand-embroidered mandalas. She uses sturdy cardstock, beautiful high-sheen thread, seed beads, and crystals to create colorful framed art, notepads, jewelry, and greeting cards. 
Stefani was inspired to create stitched mandalas after discovering a paper embroidery book by Erica Fortgens and also seeing an exhibit of art made from "extreme materials" that featured round paper collages by Marietta Ganapin.
This pretty mandala is one of my favorites. She says it puts her in a Florida state of mind and I agree - pink flamingos and aqua water.
Her motto is 'the smaller the better' and as she tells customers at shows, "I love teeny-tiny."
Think of the time that goes into each design... punching layers of cardstock, piercing holes for stitching in some layers and spirelli (thread wrapping technique) for others, not to mention the final touch of stitching and/or gluing small beads and crystals in place.
Her mandalas evoke one of my favorite childhood memories - hours spent playing with a Hoot-Nanny Magic Designer, the precursor of today's plastic Spirograph. And yes, I still have it!
This clever sunflower pin starts as a stamped design that Stefani carefully deconstructs with scissors and reassembles to add dimension. 
I've been following Stefani's And Another Thing blog for quite a while now. An accounting supervisor by day, she's ultra-organized; I'm willing to bet she accomplishes more by 7 AM than many people do in a day - she often stitches, assembles, photographs,and blogs, all before leaving for the office. Her upbeat posts are always teaching me something new as she offers her experienced perspective on the ins and outs of craft shows and interesting finds in the world of paper art. As an added bonus she also manages to unearth some of the best videos on YouTube!
Stefani sells her modestly priced designs in her Etsy shop and also at juried craft shows in upstate New York throughout the year.
Stefani was inspired to create stitched mandalas after discovering a paper embroidery book by Erica Fortgens and also seeing an exhibit of art made from "extreme materials" that featured round paper collages by Marietta Ganapin. This pretty mandala is one of my favorites. She says it puts her in a Florida state of mind and I agree - pink flamingos and aqua water.
Her motto is 'the smaller the better' and as she tells customers at shows, "I love teeny-tiny."
Think of the time that goes into each design... punching layers of cardstock, piercing holes for stitching in some layers and spirelli (thread wrapping technique) for others, not to mention the final touch of stitching and/or gluing small beads and crystals in place.Her mandalas evoke one of my favorite childhood memories - hours spent playing with a Hoot-Nanny Magic Designer, the precursor of today's plastic Spirograph. And yes, I still have it!
This clever sunflower pin starts as a stamped design that Stefani carefully deconstructs with scissors and reassembles to add dimension. 
I've been following Stefani's And Another Thing blog for quite a while now. An accounting supervisor by day, she's ultra-organized; I'm willing to bet she accomplishes more by 7 AM than many people do in a day - she often stitches, assembles, photographs,and blogs, all before leaving for the office. Her upbeat posts are always teaching me something new as she offers her experienced perspective on the ins and outs of craft shows and interesting finds in the world of paper art. As an added bonus she also manages to unearth some of the best videos on YouTube!Stefani sells her modestly priced designs in her Etsy shop and also at juried craft shows in upstate New York throughout the year.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Quaker Marriage Certificate
One of the most interesting commissioned pieces I've been asked to quill was a Quaker marriage certificate. My task was to design a floral border to surround hand calligraphed vows that would be spoken by the couple during their wedding. Often a hand painted design decorates a document such as this, but the bride-to-be knew about paper filigree as she had been a student in one of my classes. Monica had taken to quilling like a duck to water; in fact, she added her own work to their handmade invitations, place cards, and programs - quite an undertaking! You can see the beautiful papers she used for the invitations in this picture, just to the left of the (large!) certificate. Monica brought samples along to help select quilling paper colors when she dropped off the certificate at my home. As you can see, calligrapher Riva Brown of Living Letters Studio in Wilmington, Delaware had already worked her magic. 
I'm sure Monica would have done a fine job on the document, but since she was still quite new to quilling, she didn't want her novice status framed on their dining room wall forever after... completely understandable.
Just to give you a little background, a marriage certificate is a Quaker wedding tradition. Because of its Quaker beginnings, the state of Pennsylvania offers two types of marriage licenses. One requires an officiator (pastor, rabbi, justice of the peace); the other, created specifically for Quakers, but available to anyone, allows couples to be married with legal witnesses. The certificate is signed by the bride and groom and two witnesses chosen by them, as well as all of the guests who attend the wedding. By signing the certificate, the guests pledge their steadfast support of the couple in their marriage. I think it's lovely to have a constant reminder of the spoken vows, as well as the names of those who were present at the marriage on display in one's home. Even in a non-Quaker wedding, it would be a nice idea to do this instead of a traditional guestbook.
I created a balanced floral design in the chosen color scheme of burgundy, cream, and gold - just perfect for an early autumn wedding.
To avoid errant glue marks on the finished piece, I first assembled the floral and scrolled components as much as possible and then mounted them as units directly onto the document. Because it was such a symmetrical design, any mistake would be obvious, so... there simply couldn't be any oops moments. It was quite the painstaking process as each section was set down in the location that I measured out and dotted with faint pencil marks beforehand. Needless to say I found myself constantly stepping back to survey the placement, often looking at the board in a mirror to check again. Two sections ready to be placed:
I find the best way to handle gluing for a large scale project like this is to spread a thin layer of paper glue on a non-stick surface; a large Styrofoam tray works well. Holding the quilling with tweezers, I touch it gently to the glue, and immediately place it on its ..um... final resting place, for lack of a better term. There's no second guessing and repositioning as that would leave a telltale snail trail of glue. After getting all of the large segments in place, the very last step was to add tiny tight coils as accents.
Here's the finished piece, ready for the big day. At the wedding a large sheet of paper was placed loosely across the lined section at the bottom as guests signed their names. The apron was slid down as each row was filled in; this helped to avoid smudges.
I'm sure Monica would have done a fine job on the document, but since she was still quite new to quilling, she didn't want her novice status framed on their dining room wall forever after... completely understandable.
Just to give you a little background, a marriage certificate is a Quaker wedding tradition. Because of its Quaker beginnings, the state of Pennsylvania offers two types of marriage licenses. One requires an officiator (pastor, rabbi, justice of the peace); the other, created specifically for Quakers, but available to anyone, allows couples to be married with legal witnesses. The certificate is signed by the bride and groom and two witnesses chosen by them, as well as all of the guests who attend the wedding. By signing the certificate, the guests pledge their steadfast support of the couple in their marriage. I think it's lovely to have a constant reminder of the spoken vows, as well as the names of those who were present at the marriage on display in one's home. Even in a non-Quaker wedding, it would be a nice idea to do this instead of a traditional guestbook.I created a balanced floral design in the chosen color scheme of burgundy, cream, and gold - just perfect for an early autumn wedding.
To avoid errant glue marks on the finished piece, I first assembled the floral and scrolled components as much as possible and then mounted them as units directly onto the document. Because it was such a symmetrical design, any mistake would be obvious, so... there simply couldn't be any oops moments. It was quite the painstaking process as each section was set down in the location that I measured out and dotted with faint pencil marks beforehand. Needless to say I found myself constantly stepping back to survey the placement, often looking at the board in a mirror to check again. Two sections ready to be placed:
I find the best way to handle gluing for a large scale project like this is to spread a thin layer of paper glue on a non-stick surface; a large Styrofoam tray works well. Holding the quilling with tweezers, I touch it gently to the glue, and immediately place it on its ..um... final resting place, for lack of a better term. There's no second guessing and repositioning as that would leave a telltale snail trail of glue. After getting all of the large segments in place, the very last step was to add tiny tight coils as accents.Here's the finished piece, ready for the big day. At the wedding a large sheet of paper was placed loosely across the lined section at the bottom as guests signed their names. The apron was slid down as each row was filled in; this helped to avoid smudges.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Packaged with care
With Mother's Day almost upon us, you might be thinking of wrapping up a small gift soon... jewelry perhaps... so I thought I'd share the way I've been packaging the filigree pendants I make. I like to use decorative tins purchased at my local big box crafts store. They measure about five inches by three inches.
Here's a sampling of some I used for holiday gift necklaces and earrings. I love the designs - the store sells such a nice variety. I use a paper crimper to corrugate pieces of cardstock to line the inside of the tins - one under the jewelry and the other on top. 
About a half inch deep and theoretically used to hold a gift card, they're ideal for small, fragile items. And if your gift has to be mailed, rest easy, as they're quite crush-proof. Slide a card and the tin into a bubble wrap envelope... it's good to go.
And while I'm talking packaging, if you ever need a place from which to order large quantities of gift boxes, a friend of mine recommends StoreSupply.com. She says they're good quality and affordable. In my Etsy wanderings recently, I came across Nice Package. I love the look of glassine envelopes and red and white baker's string, a la Martha, so I'm saving the addy in my ever-growing faves list. Their little slide box is mighty cute too. All would be perfect for wedding favors.
Here's a sampling of some I used for holiday gift necklaces and earrings. I love the designs - the store sells such a nice variety. I use a paper crimper to corrugate pieces of cardstock to line the inside of the tins - one under the jewelry and the other on top. About a half inch deep and theoretically used to hold a gift card, they're ideal for small, fragile items. And if your gift has to be mailed, rest easy, as they're quite crush-proof. Slide a card and the tin into a bubble wrap envelope... it's good to go.And while I'm talking packaging, if you ever need a place from which to order large quantities of gift boxes, a friend of mine recommends StoreSupply.com. She says they're good quality and affordable. In my Etsy wanderings recently, I came across Nice Package. I love the look of glassine envelopes and red and white baker's string, a la Martha, so I'm saving the addy in my ever-growing faves list. Their little slide box is mighty cute too. All would be perfect for wedding favors.
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