Monday, 18 August 2014

Paperie, by Kirsty Neale: Review


Paperie:

100 Creative Papercraft  Ideas

Gifts. Décor. Stationery. Accessories

By Kirsty Neale

David and Charles 2014

Paperback, £ 14.99

ISBN 978-1446304273

Buy the book:

Stitch/Craft Create store: Paperie (paper!)
                                      Paperie (e-Book) 



Star rating: ****


Here is a great new papercraft project book that hits the sweet spot between do-able, easy-make papercrafts and desirable results. Nearly all of the projects in this book look fresh and fun – no loving hands at home look. There’s lots of stuff you will actually make. Plenty of projects are suitable as Xmas makes-to-give. The book is brimming with good ideas, some of which use recycled materials.


Kirsty Neale is a regular columnist for Papercraft Inspirations magazine, and a contributor to Mollie Makes. She is incredibly inventive and  has a recognizable style – humourous and faux naïf, hipster (in a good way), and endearing without being OTT twee.


There’s lots of variety in the project techniques – origami, collage, paper cutting, and papier mâché. My favourite projects are inexpensive – or simplified versions – of current papercraft trends. The Alphabet Blocks are a workable, quick-make version of those ginormous decoupage mantelpiece letterforms that have been popping up in lots if recent craft books. The Paperville Blocks are a papercraft interpretation of those  wooden cityscape block sets that are so very popular.


Kirsty Neale shares my love of matchboxes. Who can resist a mini secret surprise? In Paperie, you will find a retro Record Player Invitation packaged in a matchbox, and Fancy Sticking Plasters stored in a first-aid matchbox.


Several basic ideas are very useful: Paper Gift Rosettes are loopy parcel bows crafted in hand-cut paper ribbon;  Party Hats are classic cone-shaped party hats – the template will be used countless times. There’s also an Easy-Fold Gift Box with all-in-one construction à la a bakery box.


Other favourites include a Vintage Style Slide-Reel Card made from a re-purposed ViewMaster reel, the Finger Puppets in Cosy Jumpers, and the Succulent Planters (lovely geo-flower pots), and a Night Sky Banner. Channelling the chalkboard trend: Chalkboard Gift Tags.


At the back of the book, you’ll find a technique guide, reduced-size pattern templates, and some cuttable patterns. From a realistic standpoint, you are unlikely to want to chop up this book – but I guess you can either photocopy or scan these pages for your own personal use.


So – well done Kirsty. Can’t wait to see what you’ll do next.


Note: I was provided with a preview .pdf of this title.

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