A How to on Paper-Cutting.

Many varied paper arts have evolved over the years. From the earliest paper crafts known, some will be familiar with quilling, origami and paper-cutting. Paper enthusiasts of today are still enjoying those arts, along-with scrapbooking and card-making. There's no doubt that some of us can become passionate about paper! No wonder we love paper arts; with such a diverse range of amazing papers available to us nowadays. Papers with colors that shout "choose me", textures that tantalize, and patterns with a pulse!

Sources of materials needed for the art of Paper-Cutting though, are indeed minimal. Paper-cutting is an ancient and fascinating craft with many differing titles according to the country of origin. In Poland it is named Wycinanki, where traditionally they cut fine images with sheep shears. In Japan it's known as Kiri-e, Mexico it's named Papel-picado, while in Germany and Switzerland, paper cutting is well-known as Scherenschnitte.

Try paper-cutting and discover a new and wonderful way to create with paper. Your paper-cuts could become very special card-toppers. Larger more intricate designs, can be stored in a scrapbook album for preservation, or set behind glass for display in your home. A degree of patience is a pre-requisite since paper-cutting can sometimes be a slow and time-consuming project. This depends of course on the complexity of the chosen design. Simple outlines become simple and short-term paper-cutting tasks, while more intricate patterns are meant for working on over a longer period of time through to their completion.

The basic materials needed to start Paper-Cutting:

* Small sharp scissors

Some like to use the slightly curved nail scissors while others prefer a short but straight blade to cut with.

Or

* Craft Knife

My choice is the Fiskars 'fingertip' craft knife for its safety feature.

* Rubber Craft Mat

A small one is perfectly fine unless you plan to cut larger patterns.

* Cutting Papers

Try at first to cut with either black (silhouette), or white paper. Both of these are more traditional, and simply pleasing to the eye at the same time. Once you're familiar with paper-cutting as a new paper-craft, do venture into utilizing whatever papers please you for your new projects.

* Masking Paper Tape

Needed to tape your printed design onto the cutting paper.

* Glue

A dry paste product similar to U.H.U. glue stick or a rubber cement

Steps ahead:

1. Print your pattern onto copy paper, cut well outside the outline, and tape it down over the top of the cutting paper.

2. Cut through the copy paper design and into your chosen paper at the same time.

3. Finishing off: Only minute dabs of glue are needed, randomly, on the back side. This offers a most attractive element to the paper-cut as it appears then to 'float' somewhat over the backing material. Subtle shadows can be seen in varying lights too, where any part of the paper-cut sits a fraction above.

Consider paper-cutting as a craft no different to taking on a knitting project perhaps. While you can knit up a scarf with relative ease, the more intricate pattern of an afghan jumper will take precious moments of your time. Your chosen craft becomes a labor of love. To cut an intricate design from paper can be a most enjoyable creative challenge. Upon its completion, it becomes a wonderful hand-crafted accomplishment.

Learn more about this author, Carole Meisenhelter.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about The joys of paper art?
We want to hear your view. Write now!