| Paper Sculptures |
From "Ask DIY"
episode ADI-410 |
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Q: How do I make paper sculptures? A: (from Debbie Stapley, Ask DIY Crafts expert) Paper sculptures can be fashioned in a variety of ways. In addition to the better-known craft of papier mache, quilling is a fun and easy activity that can be used to create all kinds of wonderful items, from specialty invitations and greeting cards to wall art (figure A).
Materials: Various colors of medium-to-heavy-weight paper cut into 1/8" strips
Quilling tool or 1/4" dowel with small slit cut in one end
Heavy cardstock (for background)
Paper cutter (or finely-sharpened pencil, ruler and scissors)
Standard white glue or tacky glue
Scoring tool / stylus
Pen or marker
Tiny beads and/or glitter or small sequins
- Before getting started, decide on the design you want to create. By combining a variety of shapes, you can form just about any object imaginable; the flowers shown in figure B are just one example. Once you've planned your layout, choose the colors of paper you'll use and cut it into strips.
Heavy-weight paper or lightweight cardstock (figure C) is usually the best choice for quilling projects; a more durable cardstock should be used for backing. - To maintain a consistent width, it's best to use a paper cutter to create your strips. If you don't have a paper cutter, however, an alternative is to measure and mark corresponding points at both ends of the cards, connect them with finely drawn pencil lines, then carefully cut them apart.
(Note: The latter method should only be attempted by those with great reserves of patience and excellent eyesight!) - Once your strips are cut, you're ready to quill. Place the end of your first strip in the opening of the dowel or quilling tool (figure D) so that it's even with the edge and doesn't extend past the slit. (Otherwise, you'll end up with a crease at the tip your final shape.)
- Then, carefully roll the strip onto the quilling tool (figure E), wrapping it over itself until you reach the end (figure F). Now you're ready to slide it off the dowel. After you've removed it, allow it to unwind to the size/shape you want, then carefully hold it in place and glue it to the card in the desired position.
Quilling strips can be manipulated in a variety of ways to create all kinds of shapes. By holding a circle tightly together, you'll keep its diameter small, while allowing it to unwind will result in a larger circle. For a graceful arc, pull one end of a circle out from the center as shown in figure G. Or pinch one end of a circle (figure H) to create a teardrop shape. A marquis (football) shape is easily formed by pinching both ends of a circle, while a heart can be fashioned by creasing the center of a strip then rolling each end inward (figure I). Rolling the ends outward yields a decorative "V" (figure J) that makes a great element for borders. Tip: Keep in mind that you can also adjust the size of your shapes by varying the diameter of your dowel or quilling tool and the width of your paper. Experiment with a variety of sizes to create a wide range of beautiful designs!
While quilling is a fun way to make all kinds of unique and beautiful images, it's not the only option when it comes to paper sculpture. Enhancing paper cutouts with shaping techniques and decorative items is another means of producing great paper art. - To create an enhanced cutout, first draw or trace your item on cardstock and cut it out. Then, choose areas of the object to accentuate with shaping. For the flower cutout featured here, scoring a straight line along the center of each petal (figure K) allows the petals to be pinched and shaped (figure L) to resemble an actual flower.
- Once the shaping is done, apply thin lines of glue along the scored areas (figure M) and any other areas where accents will be used to highlight the object.
- Immediately after you've applied the glue, sprinkle tiny beads, glitter or small sequins over the cutout. If you're using decorative items in various colors, it's best to apply glue on one area at a time so that excess beads or glitter can be easily shook off without straying into other areas of glue.
- Finally, arrange all elements on your cardstock backing and glue in place to form your final design (figure N).
More questions for Debbie... Q: How do I stain concrete yard decorations like frogs and deer? A: You can actually buy stains that are made especially for concrete. Check at your local hardware or home-improvement store. Q: How do I prevent transfers to T-shirts from fading? A: The best way is to be careful when you launder the shirts. Be sure to wash them inside-out, in cold water. And line-dry them -- never put them in the clothes dryer.
RESOURCES :
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Model: 0806927518
Author: Mickey Baskett
(May 2002)
To order this title from Amazon.com, click here
Sterling Publishing Co. Inc.
Website: www.sterlingpub.com
Paper Quilling: Beautiful Paper Filigree to Make in a Weekend (The Weekend Crafter Series)
Model: 1579900135
Author: Malinda Johnston
(March, 1998)
Lark Books / Altamont Press
Website: www.larkbooks.com
Creative Paper Art: Techniques for Transforming the Surface
Model: 0806994576
Author: Nancy Welch
More Paper Sculpture: A Step-by-Step Guide
Model: 0688153798
Author: Kathleen Ziegler
F & W Publications Inc. (North Light and Betterway Books, Story Press, Popular Woodworking Books)
Website: www.fwpublications.com
The Art and Craft of Paper Sculpture
Model: 0801988748
Author: Paul Jackson
A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating 20 Outstanding and Original Paper Projects.
Krause Publications
Website: www.krause.com
Paper Perfect : Hundreds of Stunning Practical Projects in Collage, Decoupage, Papier-Mache. . .
ISBN: 1842152963
Order this title from Amazon.com.
Paper Art: The Complete Guide to Papercraft Techniques
Model: 0823038408
Author: Diane Maurer-Mathison and Jennifer Phillippoff
(1997)
Watson-Guptill Publications
Website: www.watsonguptill.com
Crafting With Vellum & Parchment : New & Exciting Paper Projects
Model: 0806929715
Author: Marie Browning
Easy Origami: A Colorful Introduction to Japanese Paper Folding
Model: 1579900259
Author: Keiko Hori
(!998)
To order this title from Amazon.com, click here.
Lark Books / Altamont Press
Website: www.larkbooks.com
Holiday Scrapbook Paper Pizazz!
Model: 1558704787
Author: Hot Off the Press Editors
(1997)
To order this book from Amazon.com, click here.
Betterway Books (F & W Publications)
Website: www.fwpublications.com
3-D Wizardry: Design in Paper Mache, Plaster and Foam
Model: 0871922940
Author: George Wolfe
(1995)
To order this title from Amazon.com, click here.
Davis Publications
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