The Papercraft Ideas Book: Inspiration and Tips Taken From Over 80 Artworks

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I wish there had a been a bit more to Chapter 7. I think it would have been nice to see a few projects or suggestions for trying out various paper decorating techniques. I was not expecting much from this one, thinking it would be a simplistic book on how to make some simple projects like pinwheels, top and side fold cards, and that what is described as unique is not so unique. But I was pleasantly surprised. I like that Ms. Hiebert laid things out so clearly. This seems to me a book that can cater to an audience of both beginners and some with experience in crafting. I like that she included a couple of glue recipes in the materials description section, and that several of the projects, like the origami ones, had nice step by step pictorials. Paper artist and teacher, Helen Hiebert compiles a one-of-kind collection of 40 unique projects, each using just one sheet of paper. Combining decorative paper techniques like marbling, stamping, and stenciling, with dimensional techniques like origami, cutting, folding, quilling, stretching, weaving, and pop-ups, The Art of Papercraft offers a rich variety of projects that will delight crafters, artists, and designers alike.

The projects are quite varied, from decorative origami pieces, to a kite, to the wearable cuff. Some are simple, and could be done with children with supervision probably, and some more sophisticated in nature, and good jump off points for mixed media projects. I quite like the pleated lantern, and have done some things myself with sewn paper in the past. The quilled snowflake is lovely and something I am seriously considering making myself soon. I also like the slice form heart project. I have admired many other slice form pieces I have seen before, but have not tried it myself, so this is tempting. The results therefore cover a wide range of approaches and difficulties. Depending on your expectations and needs, that can be both great... or not so great. Years ago, Hiebert acquired a century-old paper-making mold used in the day when specialized artisans made the writing tools one sheet at a time. Hiebert was fascinated by this age-old process and could not help but dip her hands into the mushy liquid past and feel first-hand what it was like to spend hours and days creating a simple sheet of paper. From that point, she was in love with the intricate possibilities that arose for paper-making art. And clearly, she is a master at working with a unique art form. Every chapter has clear photographs of tools needed, sample papers and artist inspirations. Basic techniques are folding, cutting, gluing, stitching and embellishing. Examples of the many projects range from origami candy dishes and Halloween decorations to lanterns, plantable paper, mini-books, cards, envelopes and more. The construction chapter is where it gets more involved with the adding of adhesives, embroidery, electronics, and more. There are twenty-two projects in this section, again with photographic and written instructions.From the introduction: “Helen Hiebert is a seasoned author artist, papermaker, and teacher who has created a comprehensive exploration of paper arts in The Art of Papercraft. This book will prove to be an excellent resource for teachers and students alike… All of the projects are fun one-sheet wonders that introduce essential cutting, folding and assembly techniques. Each project is simple enough for beginners while being sufficiently sophisticated for the seasoned crafter.”

NURSERY PAPERCUT é) Nursery papercut This cnarrmng papercu« is deceptívely simple to put together, and will make a lovely decoratíon for a nursery or young emld's bedroom. It's eaaíly adaptable, so taílor your paperout's aubject and síze to whatever you wísh. You Willneed Cutting •. rn. at ..... . Ruler .. Er~ser. 'r, '• .... • Frame .... Pencil .. ···· . .... ~. .scalpe\\ .. Wh.ite card AC'etate. Traé\\ng ····• páper <\">, • ......... (;0Ioured card QUILLED CARD @ 8 Bcroll Hear-t V Scroll Shapi.ng Experímentíng Most quilled shapes are created by making adjustments Experiment to create the other shapes. For example. a heart to the baste coüs. For example. to make a marquise you is made by fold\\ng a strip of paper in half and winding each simply create a loose coi! and pinch it on either end. To end toward the centre, and a V scroll is made by doing the make a teardrop, you do the same but only pinch one end. same but winding it away from the centre. 35 Paper is not only a means to convey information or images, but is also used as a medium in architecture, jewelry making, crafts, and even fashion. Hiebert’s well organized manual shows (both in written directions and pictures!) how cutting, folding, twisting, weaving, crumpling, and even tearing can turn a single sheet into unbelievable forms. She starts with paper sources, including how to make your own. CARDS AND GIFT WRAP Cut around the eílig,es then carefu\\ly Trace the templatesand scqre along< the ttnes, lay it face.. down on your tgpaper. Rub tr.ansf_er. •• 3 4... use a b.,@'Tle fólder Make a note in the tour sídes usfng one comer •••••· tó neatly f9ld along \":'J'. rne scorea lines. of.a: hole punch, , '\\ 38

What I received was an introduction to such an extraordinary world, from a very passionate author.. So I call it a great success! I am impressed by the organization and clear instructions in The Art of Papercraft. The end of the book has a dictionary of terms, bibliography and extensive list of resources as well as templates for projects. The Art of Papercraft will inspire crafters, dabblers, and paper afficionados of all ages. This book is full of projects for crafters of all levels, and I look forward to trying out some of these ideas. I thank NetGalley and the publisher, Storey Publishing, LLC for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion. I gave this book three and a half stars rounded down to three stars. this book told me about paper types that I’ve never heard of before. I was searching the internet for different suppliers, looking for various types.

This isn't necessarily a bug, so much as it might be an intentional feature: there's something here for everyone, which means there likely aren't too many people who are interested in everything the book has to offer. Paper Making and Surface Treatments provides a list of the variety of techniques to make your own paper: to know how to make the paper itself the author refers to another of their books. Once past this list, there are 11 examples of how to use embellishments on the surface of a paper, such as fasteners, slip-on sleeves or a cut to fold into. As a child I recall going to a paper mill in the Cheddar Gorge area and seeing how the fibres come together, so knew this book 'The Art of Papercraft' would be interesting to review. When I read the description for Helen Hiebert's book "The Art of Papercraft. Unique one-Sheet Projects Using Origami, Weaving, Quilling, Pop-Up, and Other Inventive Techniques", published by Storey Publishing, LLC, on NetGalley, my first reaction was: I want to review this book. Helen Hiebert is a author, paper maker, teacher and artist and presents 40 unique and distinctive projects from various artists as well as further samples of their work. Hiebert states: "This book will show you how cutting, folding, twisting, tearing, weaving, crumpling, and more can transform a single sheet of paper into fantastic and sometimes unbelievable forms. I hope that you will be inspired to invent your own creations and explore paper beyond the single sheet. The possibilities are endless (p. 2)." The projects range from easy to challenging. Some projects use marbling, stamping, or stenciling whereas others use stretching, weaving, po-ups, origami, cutting, folding or quilling and in this they can inspire a broad range of readers.The Cutting chapter covers ten projects that are completed by making before or after folding. Again there are written and photographic instructions to follow, alongside the materials required. Some projects are very simple and beginner-friendly, while others require much more patience and careful work. Some look highly impressive, while others aren't likely to wow. This can be a bit frustrating both if you want an accessible book for kids, and if you have experience in a particular area and you're looking for projects beyond the basics. Likewise, if you want to explore one area of papercraft in depth, you're likely to be disappointed. The USP of this book is that each of the projects are simple enough for a beginner while being sophisticated for the seasoned crafter. And for this reason I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys working with paper. Whether you take up a papercraft project alone, as a group of friends, with kids, or in a community, this will feed all your creative cravings and leave you with a stunning piece of art at the end.