Wednesday 8 January 2014

Book Review: Creative Paper Quilling



Creative Paper Quilling:

Wall Art, Jewelry, Cards & More!

By Ann Martin

Annie’s Paper Crafts

48 pages, paperback, £9.99

ISBN 978-1-59635-591



January is a great time to learn a new craft – new year, fresh pursuits. And few crafts are as inexpensive to get started in as quilling – the art of paper filigree, which is created with rolled strips of paper. Perfect timing for Ann Martin’s new title for the excellent Annie’s Paper Crafts series. (Check out Ann’s wonderful blog, All Things Paper.)

To start out in quilling you need little more than a slotted quilling tool, some quilling strips, and glue. Plus - a bit of basic knowledge, which is where Creative Paper Quilling comes in...

This book is worth its weight in gold for the fantastic how-to section up front. Everything you need to know to get started. And plenty of finer points that may be new to experienced quillers, too. The Quilled Shape Gallery, by Ann Martin and Shelly Krzyzewski, gets full marks for illustrating quilled shape possibilities. It is great how 3D shapes such as Sculptured Tight Coils, Cones, and Domes are given pride of place alongside the expected collection of Scrolls and Coils. There are lots of delightful shapes, that go beyond the basic, for instance - the Duck Foot and Shaped Marquise Coils. Paper Beads get a mention, as do various flower-making techniques (including Folded Roses and Fringed Flowers). (Yay.)

The book contains 28 original projects, by Ann and a team of quilling experts. There is lots of variety - more than just cards - and there are seasonal projects that take you all-year-round (check out Ann’s Hearts Linked Valentine). Most of the projects are achievable by a complete novice (two by Linda Krieg: Pretty Page Markers – dolled up paperclips, and Floral Frenzy Message Board, which zooms in on the chalk board trend).  Or, try Ann Martin’s spring-fresh floral Happy Birthday card, which incorporates lots of fun techniques while retaining an air of simplicity. And you can aspire to making the Bloom project by Leesandra Diaz, an example of the use of a  typographic element  in quilled designs. A central word is outlined with on-edge quilling strips - and surrounded with quilled decorations. Very classy indeed.

I have to say, this book has gotten me in the mood to get rolling with some new quilling projects of my own. I’m keen to acquire some of the  quilling tools I don’t yet have – such as the Curling Coach, which helps you to roll longer pieced strips. And Mini Mold – for forming domed shapes (as in dimensional flower centres).

So, although you don't get a big book for your money, you get more than what you need to know to get started in quilling - clearly explained  and attractively presented.  

Note: I was supplied with a review copy of this title.


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