The good news is in knowing that quilling is definitely in vogue again! The art of quilling can be considered quaint, and perhaps somewhat quirky, too. This ancient paper-craft is a most popular technique used by card-making enthusiasts to embellish their cards in a truly unique and ornate style.

If you're thinking to try your own hand at quilling, don't hesitate for a moment. Know that with a little practice, you will find it a most enjoyable and functional paper-craft to add to your other card-enhancing elements. Quilling displays a wonderful 3-d dimension with a filigree effect, by curling thin strips of paper around the quilling tool, or needle. Here are two

quilling tools available; my preference is for the red-handled one with the fine needle. I painted it red so I wouldn't lose it! The fine needle makes for really neat, well formed coils.

It is documented that the art of quilling evolved from as far back as the 15th Century, when papyrus was torn into strips and rolled around a bird's quill. During the 17th Century, monks would use quilling with added gilding, to embellish religious panels to appear as gold filigree work.

You may have seen though, the result of a quiller's artwork of more recent times. It appears delicate and intricate, perhaps time-consuming too, but it is a craft that you can easily learn. Quilling is probably most often admired on cards with a colorful and realistic floral theme. You can though create many different themes with your quilling with birds and insects; Christmas decorations, a group of candles surrounded by holly perhaps; flourishes and scrolls; frogs, rabbits and ducks for children too.

Items decorated with quilling actually are very stable to go through the postal system, just add a couple of layers of bubble-wrap over the quilling first.

Getting started with your Quilling:

*Quilling Tool

*Quilling Papers inch (3mm)

*Ruler

*P.V.A. glue

*Toothpick (to apply glue)

*Lid from jar (to hold small quantity of glue to work with)

*Tweezers: long-nosed type (to pick up quilled shapes)

*Scissors *Kebab stick or skewer; for spirals

Let's make a "sampler" with the basic shapes that you will use most often. You can keep this then as a ready-reference chart for any design you create. This excellent Quilling Corner website (Parchcraft Aust) will assist you greatly.

Notes:

For the first six basic shapes following, because they are considered as "closed shapes" i.e. glued down, tear the end instead of cutting with scissors. This will make for a really neat finish.

You will make each shape with a 4 inch (10 cm), length of quilling paper.

Holding your quilling tool in a horizontal fashion, slip the end of the quilling paper into the eye of the tool. Always turning the tool towards you when rolling your papers.

Use glue sparingly.

1. Tight Roll: Roll paper strip firmly to its end. While still on tool, glue end down firmly before easing off.

2. Loose Roll: Roll to end of paper with an even, relaxed tension. Release roll and turn tool down (vertically), to allow coil to slip onto table. It will slowly open up some. Glue end.

3. Teardrop: Complete a "loose roll" and then pinch where you joined the paper.

4. Eye: Same as teardrop; but pinch both ends to a point

5. Leaf: Same as Eye, but curve shape by pinching each end in opposite directions i.e. one up and the other down.

6. Square: Complete Eye shape and then pinch into sides to create a square.

The next seven (7) shapes are referred to as Scroll shapes because of their open nature. No glue is required. Use your scissors and cut each end of your quilling papers for a neat finish.

1. Open Scroll: Roll just one end of the paper, leaving approx length unwound.

2. C-Scroll: Roll from each end of paper towards the middle, forming two coils together.

3. S- Shape: Roll one coil to the middle. Turn paper over and roll other end to the middle also.

4. V-Shape: Fold paper strip in half. Roll a coil (facing outwards), at each end.

5. Heart Shape: Fold paper strip in half. Roll a coil (facing inwards), at each end.

6. Spiral: For any length paper. Using a kebab stick or skewer; roll the paper strip around and at an angle at the same time.

7. Bell Shape: Glue together two 12 inch (30cm) strips of quilling paper. With the 24 inch (60 cm) length of paper, complete a Tight Roll. With end of pencil or similar, gently push into centre to create a bell shape. Add glue inside shape to hold.

Create original and unique gift- tags with quilling added, or on the lids of tiny gift-boxes. Your hand-made paper decoration will add yet another element of surprise for your recipient.

Learn more about this author, Carole Meisenhelter.
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