Two craft titles today:
Ruby Star Wrapping: Creative Packaging to Reuse, Regive
& Relove
Melody Miller & Allison Tannery
Roost Books
ISBN 978159030995
£14.99 paperback
This title is slightly off-piste for a review in a
papercraft blog, but I want to make amends for all the Scandinavian forests
that I have been slicing and dicing in my digital paper cutter. As the title
says, this is a book of eco-conscious wrapping ideas – brought to you by the
team behind the wildly successful Sew,
Mama, Sew blog. It contains a mix of
projects, including papercrafts, but –
as you would expect – mostly sewing ideas.
The Introduction to the book is delightful. It tells of the
Japanese approach to gift packaging, “this simple philosophy : a unique,
charming presentation can be made from even the most unassuming objects.” Even better if the packaging is made from
re-purposed materials that can be used over and over again!
This book has lots of heart and it does have some lovely
ideas – the box from a recycled gameboard, and the inside-out boxes, for
example. Or the concept that the gift doesn’t necessarily have to be entirely
concealed – just embellished (like the painted bowls for food packaging, or the
trimmings made from felt balls). The recipes are a nice touch, too. I did find
that some of the projects were a bit same-y and obvious (stick it in a
drawstring sack!, re-cover a box!). The sewing skill level is pretty basic –
great if you are a beginner. (I note
that the authors came to sewing relatively late.) Also, this is very much a
hipster/craftster title, targeted at 30-somethings.
What I really admire about this book is how it encourages
you to think – not only about how to recycle, but about fitting form to
function. And about how low-fi forms of gift presentation can be highly
effective – like adding a garland to a gift.
If giving this book as a gift, remember to eco-wrap it!
Note: I was given a
review copy of this title.
Pop-Up Cards:
Over 50 Designs for
Cards That Fold, Flap, Spin, and Slide
Mari Kumada
Roost Books
ISBN 978-1-61180-004-3
£14.99 paperback
I greatly enjoyed Mari Kumada’s previous title, Creative Paper Cutting, so I was keen to
take a look at this new offering. I was not disappointed. This book radiates
sweetness and charm. The beautiful simplicity of the presentation and the content is
irresistible. It is a translation of a Japanese title – so the expectation of
quality papercrafting is very high. What you get is a prettily presented primer
for making simple pop-ups and mechanical cards. Easy enough for beginners, but enough to fascinate the more experienced
papercrafter. There are over 50 card designs, complete with step-by-step
how-tos and full-size templates (that will make lots of people happy). All you
need is a cutting implement, paper, and glue.
One of my favourite cards is “Special Delivery Present”, in
which a dove unties the ribbon on a gift. I also particularly like the spinner
cards, where you rotate the dial to create the special effect. There’s a
psychedelic Dahlia with a whirling pattern and an Elephant balancing on a ball.
Nice idea to combine the dial idea with cut-outs. I can’t recall seeing them
elsewhere.
The book’s first section is a class on pop-up cards: Horizontal Fold, Vertical Fold, V-Fold,
Pop-up Coil Cards, Pop-Up Cone Cards, and Pop-Up Cube Cards. ( Very impressive
that the last two sections are presented in a way accessible to beginners.) The
book then continues with a selection of pop-up cards designed for special
occasions and holidays. The third section of the book is about Cards that Move
and Spin. That means Sliders, Cards that Flap, Cards that Spin (the dial
cards), and Cards that Spring.
A special touch is that the author includes several of her
own reflections – such as “My Favourite Pop-Up Card”. This really helps to
personalize the book. You can tell it’s a labour of love.
More experienced papercrafters may find some of the cards a
bit basic. Just add your own bells and whistles. I prefer these cards to
sing on their own.
Note: I was given a review copy of this title.
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