Dawbis - Paper Collage

A friend sent me the link to Dawbis's engaging paper collages on Flickr and I was smitten.... then reading her blog, Lovely Paper, caused me to appreciate what she does even more. Dawbis is a self-taught hobby artist who recycles paper scraps to create tiny works of art. Sometimes she even incorporates a bit of quilling into the designs.From time to time, she arranges 'paper for art' trades with those who send her paper... especially things like old ticket stubs, library catalog cards, game pieces - it's all fair game once Dawbis finds time to sit down and create a collage. She says she enjoys not knowing ahead of time what direction a design will take. She doesn't even keep a sketchbook the way so many creative types suggest. All Dawbis does is lay out the paper and tools ahead of time, thinks of a central object to make, and the rest magically falls into place... well, something tells me a good bit of talent is involved as well! There's so much to see in each precisely cut, expressive scene. They make me feel as if I've stepped into a little fantasy world where something interesting and intense is happening at that very moment... and I want to be involved. But perhaps it's best to just stand quietly on the sidelines and observe, so as to not disturb the action.

Quilling Basics

I'm excited that quite a few readers have expressed interest in giving quilling a try! Be on the lookout for a Valentine Quilling 101 tutorial that will be available soon at Craftzine, but until then, here's an abridged version of the Quilling Basics article I wrote for CardMaker Magazine a couple of years ago, as shown this month in the publisher's online newsletter.One of the patterns, a whimsical little bird, can be found here. Also, you might want to check out the right sidebar on this page where you'll find quite a few tutorials for simpler projects, perfect for beginners. And as always, if you have specific questions, don't hesitate to ask in the comments section and I'll do my best to answer.

ljlh*designs

Prepare to be awestruck... Libby Hampel of Ann Arbor, Michigan makes dramatic jewelry from glass beads and paper - quilling paper, that is. And equally impressive, each piece is one of a kind.


A graduate of the Academy of Art University in California with B.F.A. in Textile Design, Libby left her day job last summer to work as a full-time artist... undoubtedly a bold step, but with her prolific, creative ideas, I tend to think she'll be fine.


Libby's interest in paper grew while taking a bookmaking and boxmaking course in college. Already a jewelry designer, it was a natural progression to experiment with combining beads and paper.


She studies the color and shape of each component before assembly, and most definitely considers the practicality of the design... will the piece be wearable?


Tell me a bit about whether you've done any traditional filigree-style quilling or were you drawn to the paper bead aspect, so went straight to rolling it tightly?"
I've never done the traditional filigree-style quilling. I leave that to the individuals who have mastered it. :) I went right to tight coils. The strips have a flexibility that other papers just don't have. I discovered this after starting to use it, plus I really like that the colors of the quilling paper can be seen on the edges. With some other papers the front and/or back are colored, but the edges are white.


Do you purchase pre-cut strips or cut your own?
I buy the strips. I'm a pretty good cutter, but not that precise all the time. lol This is the only paper I buy pre-cut. The other papers I use, I cut by hand. I like the precise cut of the quilling paper. No matter what brand I buy, I know the 1/8 inch strips will be just that.


Are you a self-taught jewelry artist or have you taken courses?
I took a metalsmith class in college. Sawing metal, buffing metal, soldering, setting cabochons, etc. Everything else I have learned from reading and curiosity. The best way for me to learn is just to try new things with the materials. You never know until you try.


Libby's unique jewelry collection can be purchased via her website or Etsy shop.

Origami Club

Here's a terrific origami site for fraidy-cats (like me) who procrastinate on trying all sorts of intriguing folds. We really can't go wrong as each step-by-step design is animated and there's even a cool option for choosing the speed at which to watch the folds take shape.
cherry blossoms

Origami Club is loaded with designs, many of which could come in handy for Valentine making. And don't let the 'club' word deter you... no joining is involved.winged heart

I'm already dreaming up a caption for a card that features this bear-pair. bear and polar bear (find them in the Unique section)

Something like...

Who me? Be your Valentine?
And inside... Sure! We'll be bear-y good together.

(via Design Sponge)

Mini-Bunting Card

As a little adjoiner to yesterday's post about garlands, I can't help but show you this uber-attractive birthday card from Jessica at How About Orange. Tutorial is here.

Cute, cute cute!

Garlands from Eurolush

One of my very favorite blogs is Eurolush - Adventures in Germany. I've been following the writings of its adorable self-titled owner and her equally adorable dog, Tex, for quite some time. Eurolush regales readers with humorous tales of everyday adventures in the small German village where she lives, as seen through her American eyes.

Often she and Tex explore the countryside... and the town...But perhaps best of all, Eurolush crafts and decorates with impeccable style, making pretty things from fabric and paper. Lately she's been a bit conflicted about this garland kick she's on, but I rather like it.

And certainly I don't begrudge her the use of tea-stained key tags and vintage paper from a Christkindlesmarkt instead of the usual suspects from the aisles of Michaels. (but a wee bit jealous? okay, yes) Eurolush readily admits to having too much time on her hands and frankly, we benefit... going along vicariously on her shopping outings is always entertaining. I also like that she shares my enthusiasm for wrought iron filigree.Here's a garland she made recently that combines stitching, fave pictures, paper from an old German ledger, and antique number stamps. (sigh, see what I mean? supply-perfection)If these folded paper wreaths caught your eye, make some just like Eurolush did, by following her link to Domesticali's very nice tutorial. I think they'd be fun to construct at any time of year, but especially on a cold and snowy January day. Sometimes the simplest ideas are pretty sweet.

Thanks Eurolush, I look forward to future adventures.

Quilling Style

Always on the lookout for new approaches to quilling, Cecelia Louie's work caught my eye... she quills in an engagingly simple manner. I admire the way her coils are more open than is usually seen and also widely spaced, giving her designs a stylish, modern look.


With Valentine's Day on the horizon, it's the perfect time to introduce her work as she enjoys incorporating hearts into her card designs.

Cecelia answers my questions...

How did you get started quilling?
I've been in love with paper since Grade 2, when I first learned about origami. I love to make utilitarian objects, so lots of boxes, envelopes, and cards. I admired the intricacies of quilling books in the library, but the designs and examples were so dated, I wasn't enticed to try. Then I saw the Klutz quilling book [Twirled Paper] and my fingers burned with the itch to play!


I loved how lighthearted the examples were, breaking my structurally gridded boundaries that had been ingrained since becoming a graphic designer. I'd go back to the book just to remind myself to let loose and not overthink a piece.


Your quilling style is different than what is typically seen.
Yes, I think I've always made my quilling loose because honestly, it fills up a card faster. That doesn't ensure a better design though, because it's more fragile and difficult to tame when gluing down. At first I used the slotted tool that came with the Klutz book and as I improved, used an awl I bought years ago for bookmaking. I still use an awl now as it doesn't make a crimp in the center.


Do you have any quilling goals for the new year?
Yes, I do. I've repeatedly ogled Yulia Brodskaya's work and recently Raphael Art (courtesy of your blog). I can't find anything wider than 1/8" quilling strips here in British Columbia, and also find the colors to be rather limiting. I'm guessing the paper Yulia and Raphael use is wider and thicker. I love the way they combine graphic backgrounds with their quilling, adding a new dimension. My goal is to cut my own paper and quill on top of a background.


Tell us about your blogs and shop.
I started CraftingCreatures.wordpress.com as a way of recording handmade gifts I gave away. Soon I was joined by girlfriends who also enjoy crafts. We're great inspiration for one another and hopefully for our readers. It's incredible how well the site has taken off! Recently I started CraftingCreatures.blogspot.com which is solely my own work, and I also have an Etsy shop in which I sell a set of patterns of my most popular floral designs.


Many thanks for sharing your ideas, Cecelia. I imagine quite a few quillers will soon be trying out your Valentines especially.
Thanks for asking me to be featured - I'm so pleased!

Ornate Paper Beads

I came across PaperBeads.org recently and was impressed with the pretty things Janice Bautista makes with simple strips of rolled paper. two strand necklace

She told me about her journey this past year... that's right, Janice has only been involved with paper beads since last winter - and in a big way!Sea Anemone ring

First of all, she's busy with two careers - by day she's the owner of a health care registry and she also owns a shop in Glendora, California called Aubrey's Beads - but her evenings are reserved for crafting. Janice sews, does origami, and is a self-taught jewelry designer with lots of imaginative ideas for making and using paper beads.For example, she recently printed out a photo of a beautiful California sunrise, cut the picture into strips, and made these beads.Her fascination with paper beads began when she noticed a magazine article about children making them at summer camp... she found the process to be a stress reliever and liked the idea of recycling magazines and catalogs into something beautiful and useful. While on the phone with her sister who lives in the Philippines, Janice spoke of her newfound hobby. Surprisingly her sister, who is more into charity work than crafts, listened intently and then called back the next day to say all she could think about was paper beads! She was determined to find a way for bead making to bring much needed income to people in the Philippines. Soon she had workers making multitudes of beautiful beads that Janice sells in her store and online.Janice is impressed with the workmanship of the durable beads which are finished with a light non-toxic varnish. The workers have come up with a variety of shapes, some of which are quite small and require practice and dexterity to make. A number of the beads look like wood or shell in person - lovely enough to be mixed with pearls, semi-precious stones, and crystals.But not only are Filipino people earning wages for their labor. The first $500 profit raised by bead sales was used to buy school supplies for three hundred children in the poorest part of Manila - notebooks, pencils, and crayons for kids who otherwise would go without. Janice and her sister are anticipating another donation in May, as the school year begins in June in the Philippines, and Janice has also set a goal to provide Christmas gifts for the children. She's pleased to donate 100% of profits to helping underprivileged kids and says doing so makes everything worthwhile.lace embossed paper bead earrings

Janice blogs about her paper bead creations, but not just necklaces, bracelets, and rings. She's also been known to showcase messenger bags, bookmarks, and key fobs.messenger bag

Janice offers tutorials, how-to videos, and sometimes features paper bead projects made by others on her blog, so get rolling!Awareness bracelet kit

In the Aubrey's Beads online store and Janice's Etsy shop, you can find rolling tools, beads, and kits to make complete jewelry pieces.

Interview with Yulia Brodskaya

Many quillers are familiar with the incredibly beautiful work of Russian-born paper artist and graphic designer, Yulia Brodskaya. Perhaps like me, you've been hungry to hear her thoughts on quilling - for example, how she plans and executes her perfect, flowing designs.I recently came across a link to this interesting interview Yulia did with Storey Publishing. I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I did.Storey logo - 2009 Fall Catalog
I think it's fantastic that Yulia's designs are bringing well-deserved attention to quilling - truly something to...Now if only there was some way to include these little words underneath each print ad:

If you are wondering what this fabulous paper art is called, it's quilling!

Radiance Lighting

I'm all for getting out of frigid Dodge today... err, Delaware, to take a virtual trip to the town of Hebden Bridge located in West Yorkshire, England - not that winter is any less icy there - but I would like to meet paper artist, Hannah Nunn...

...and have a leisurely look around her warmly lit shop, Radiance, where she displays her line of beautiful paper cut lamps and shades.

Allium

Raised as a city girl, Hannah studied at Carmarthen College in West Wales where she fell in love with the local countryside. As a result, the botanical world has inspired many of her designs... first via a line of paper cut greeting cards sold in places like Harrods and Paperchase, and later, the lights she makes today.

Tulips

Just five years ago, Hannah opened the Radiance boutique and workspace where she makes and features her lamps, as well as eye-catching lights and other items handmade by more than thirty designers, many of whom work with paper.

Bird Fairy Lights by Joanna Coupland - papier mache

Small Lily Lamps by Colin Chetwood - colored tissue paper shades

Majestic Magnolia Fairy lights by Anna Tayler - handmade paper

Sunnys by Earth Friendly - perforated paper

Hannah sometimes uses laser cutting technology in addition to her original hand cut method to make the most delicate designs, as well as ease her fingers.

Paper Lanterns

Recently she has been designing wall panels... they're still in the experimental stage, but this will give you a taste of what's to come... dazzling!

Hedgerow

Hannah's lamps can be found in many U.K. craft shops and Etsy, and all of Radiance's stock is available online.

Daisies

I enjoy Hannah's blog because her enthusiasm is contagious - she's always brimming with new ideas.