Paper Crafts, A Maker's Guide. Review.

Paper Crafts

A Maker’s Guide

Foreword by Rob Ryan

Thames & Hudson in association with the V & A, 2018

Paperback £14.95

ISBN 9780500294185

Star rating: ****

This delightful (and highly giftable) book has a winning concept – dip into the wondrous archives of the V & A museum to find inspiration for 15 paper craft projects which survey the varied possibilities of working with the versatile material. Highly illustrated and with an intro by paper cutter extraordinaire Rob Ryan, the mix is irresistible!

The book is divided into four sections – Folding, Cutting, Sticking, and Forming, with useful “upfront” info, capsule bios of the gifted project contributors, and an index.

I have given the book four – instead of five – stars because the projects vary a little in “I want to make that” quality – but the winners far outnumber the middlings. Projects include fun “Moneygami” Outfits (an origami wardrobe folded from notes); a Pleated Origami Vase Cover, which provides a crash course in the popular technique of paper pleating; Wycinanki-Inspired Cards (a colourful intro to Polish paper-cutting techniques); and a Framed Quilled Motif (a quilled mandala – with templates provided for three different styles). The how-tos are provided on-page, with most templates full-size.

All of the featured paper craft techniques are put into historical perspective, fascinating text illustrated with exquisite examples from the V & A archives. The book makes for a fascinating journey through the long history of paper crafts – with added makes.

In short: a project book  plus.

Paper Crafts is the newest addition to a series of mould-breaking books from the V & A/Thames and Hudson. Previous titles are Patchwork & Quilting, and Embroidery.

Note: I was given a review copy of this title.

Paper Pattern Play, by Lotta Jansdotter. Review.

Paper Pattern Play

By Lotta Jansdotter, Photography by Jenny Hallengren

Mix-and-match patterned papers, plus postcards, stickers, gift wrap & other bits and bobs for creating, writing & exploring

Abrams, 2018

Paperback, £21.99

ISBN 9781419728914

Star rating: ****

You probably are familiar with the playful patterns of Swedish designer Lotta Jansdotter. Her delightful prints grace licensed products the world over. (Just an educated guess – but I have a feeling that the ubiquitous dotty IKEA sac is one of hers.) Her style is breezy and informal – sort of Mid-Century Modern updated. Now, Abrams have published an unconventional book – a collection of Lotta Jansdotter papers to craft with as you see fit.

The book contains double-sided papers (twice the possibility!), some gift wrap sheets, postcards, labels, gift enclosures – lots of variety. There’s an intro (and a bio) by Lotta Jansdotter,  and a project section at the back. The projects are minimal, but effective. Less is more when you have such fabulous papers to work with. The cake-toppers are especially cute – full-size templates are 

provided.

Yes, I know. You want to admire, not cut – but get over the psychological hurdle. Crafting and gifting with these luscious papers will improve the quality of your life.

If you would like to learn even more about Lotta Jansdotter, click on the link to read an interview with the designer which was posted on the very lovely Make it in Design blog.

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

Cut and Fold Techniques for Promotional Materials, by Paul Jackson. Review.

Cut and Fold Techniques for Promotional Materials

Revised Edition

By Paul Jackson

Laurence King Publishing Ltd, November 2018

Paperback, £17.99

ISBN 978-1-78627-296-6

Star rating: *****

Out today – a revised and expanded – edition of papercraft guru Paul Jackson’s Cut and Fold Techniques for Promotional Materials. The book contains over forty cut-and-fold designs, four of them new to the edition. The book’s concept is to provide attention-grabbing papercrafts to add oomph to advertising – but you don’t have to be a design or marketing pro to value this fabulous treasure trove of papercraft ideas. For papercrafters, its ideas are indispensable in the run-up to Christmas when you are in need of showstopping, giftable presentation craft projects.

Optical illusions, party tricks, marvels of paper manipulation – you will find them in this compendium of genius ideas. (My Paul Jackson library from Laurence King (pic below) is my go-to reference for papercraft inspiration.) The book sections are Flexagons (shape-shifting paper constructions), Modular Solids (boxing clever), Envelopes (easy to fold, elegant to behold), Puzzles and Illusions, Folded Booklets (keepsake central), and Novelties. All are high on fun factor, most are easy to construct.

What’s new? The following projects, Credit Card Wallet (suitable for giftcard presentation), Reversing Cubes, Photo Frame (ingenious box construction), and Baseball Cap (origami interpretation). There’s also a new bit entitled, “How Should I Make My Chosen Design” – in which suggestions are given for actioning your creations for their intended end-use.

Photos are supplied of all the projects, with instructions on-page. All of the projects are accompanied by clear step-by-steps – line drawn and text, plus additional how-to photos where necessary. No templates required!

If you are into digital papercrafts, many of the suggested makes beg to be made up into print-and-cut projects.

Any papercrafter would be delighted to receive this marvellous bag of tricks as a gift.

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