| Inexpensive item like paper can be used to make | | | | with narrow point, as fine as possible, without any |
| amazing paper sculpture that are unbelievably fine. | | | | ridged surface that could crumple the paper. They can |
| There are many such paper crafts that make it | | | | be found at any good crafts store. |
| possible. One of them is Quilling which, although, is a | | | | - Sharp Scissors: required for trimming ends of strips, |
| centuries old craft but somehow got extinct. However, | | | | fringing flowers etc. |
| this art of paper quilling has again become popular, | | | | - A Flat Surface: to work on, preferably plastic or |
| thanks to the creativity of the people of our times. | | | | something similar. |
| What is Quilling? | | | | You can even get a quilling tool which is a long needle |
| Quilling is the art of combining narrow strips of paper | | | | with a slot in the end. This needle is set into a handle. |
| into beautiful arrangements. It is the art of rolling, | | | | The paper is inserted in the slot, pulled to its end, and |
| shaping, gluing and decorating strips of paper. It is also | | | | the tool is rotated in the hand while the other hand |
| known as paper filigree or paper quilling. The important | | | | gently guides the paper until all is wound around the |
| fact is that it can be done with very simple tools. | | | | needle. The paper is slipped off the tool, either before |
| Tools Needed for Quilling | | | | or after adding a dab of glue to the end. Many shapes |
| Some basic tools needed for quilling are paper, glue, | | | | thus created are then combined to form a design. |
| tweezers and scissors. | | | | Afterwards, as you are comfortable with the art, you |
| - Stripes of Paper: Quilling papers can be found at any | | | | can use a needle tool. The larger the handle on the |
| arts and crafts store or you can cut your own at the | | | | tool, the less strain and stress on the hand. |
| initial stages from scrap paper just to make your | | | | |
| hands habitual with quilling! The ready made quilling | | | | How to do quilling? |
| paper comes in narrow i.e. 1/16 inch, standard i.e. 1/8 | | | | In the beginning, you can start making some of the |
| inch, wide i.e. ¼ inch and extra wide i.e. ½ inch. The | | | | simple designs. A V-shape design involves folding the |
| length of these strips range from 17 to 25 inches. You | | | | strip of paper in half and rolling the ends of the outside |
| can find a variety of colors including metallic, two toned | | | | of the paper around the quill. You have to roll the |
| and graduated tones. However, ideal paper is the one | | | | paper away from the inner crease. Feelers involve |
| that rolls easily and smoothly, and holds its shape well | | | | rolling only part of the strip of paper. You leave the |
| when released. | | | | rest of the strip straight. You can make this design by |
| - Glue: The glue should be white craft glue that dries | | | | folding the strip in half or by using an in-folded strip. |
| clear. A small glue bottle with a nozzle makes it easy | | | | Coiling the paper loosely or very tightly around the quill |
| to apply the glue exactly where you want. While | | | | will make a peacock eye. A petal can be made in the |
| working, keep the bottle upside down in a small jar with | | | | same way by bending the pinched part to one side. |
| a scrap of wet paper towel in the bottom. | | | | Follow the paper quilling instructions to make fabulous |
| - Tweezers: Eyebrow tweezers work well to hold | | | | paper sculptures! |
| paper strips. However, you can even get tweezers | | | | |