Guest Post: Paper Quilling Designs

Perhaps you've marveled at the intricacy of rolled paper designs in magazines, on book covers, and even Target gift cards in recent years. This centuries old technique is called paper quilling and has remarkably changed very little over time. One at a time, narrow strips of paper are coiled around a wire, needle, or quilling tool. The coils are allowed to relax, slipped off the tool, and pinched into various shapes that can be assembled in a myriad of ways.

Yulia Brodskaya, Natasha Molotkova, and Lavanya Naidoo are known for their stylish quilled typography and expressive designs. This first piece was created by Yulia as part of a holiday ad campaign for Westfield Shopping Centre in London.

Here are two lovely designs by Natasha.

And a dreamlike state by Lavanya.

I enjoy teaching others to quill via tutorials on my website, and also create custom designs for marriage certificates and ketubot. These are documents on which wedding vows or other text chosen by the couple is written in calligraphy, and a quilled motif is placed at the top and/or sides. The document is signed at the wedding and later framed as a reminder of the day. A quilled wedding invitation can also be displayed as a memento, and is often given as a wedding or first anniversary gift.

Websites:
Yulia Brodskaya - http://artyulia.com/
Natasha Molotkova - http://www.papergraphic.co.uk/
Lavanya Naidoo - http://www.behance.net/lavanya
Ann Martin - http://www.allthingspaper.net/

Calligraphy on chandelier and woodland certificates by Riva Brown of Living Letters Studio.

- Ann