.~…in the beginning . . . ~.

I’ve felt the need to express myself creatively for most of my life.  Needlework and fabric arts were early interests.  However, the centuries old art of quilling had always intrigued me. The intricacy and freedom of design. The profound effects achieved through layering and blending.  The impact which can be attained while using only paper and glue. Commonly disposable objects become uncommon treasures in the hands of an artist.  There is an inner fulfillment which comes from working through the creation process.  For it is the process not the product which feeds the spirit.

History of My Hobby

The art of Quilling has been around for centuries. In fact, the name comes from utilizing bird quills as the primary tool for forming the paper strips. Although there are no definitive references to the very beginning of the art, no doubt creativity did not lag far behind the creation of paper by the Chinese during the Eastern Han period. Later, there is evidence of nuns using strips of paper cut from old books and Bibles. Resourcefulness in the acquisition of materials was relatively easy as paper became "disposable" in value. Other media such as fine threads and metals were used in ancient Egypt in similar fashion. Once upon a time, quilling was deemed a proper pastime for idle ladies of the upper class during the Stuart and Georgian periods. Human hair was also a common media to include in quilled pieces. Today there are many suppliers of modern adaptations of the bird feather tool as well as innumerable varieties of precut papers and embellishment materials. Most are inexpensive and available online and at major retailers.

My Background

Just as is true with many of you I’ve had quite a convoluted journey down this road called “life”. Many joys and sorrows alike. All of it plays into what I fashion with my hands. Scraps of paper; snippets of words; random objects find a place in the process.  Each finished piece is imbued with latent thoughts and emotions. It is rewarding to take basic, lowly paper and create something that is so much more.  Quilled art speaks to me of our Savior and how God’s love can transform us and our ordinary lives into something glorious.

George III gild wood tea caddy

antique chest

French reliquary 18th century

.~…almost in the beginning…~.

The images which are shown above are antiques illustrating quilled work from the late 1700s to the mid 1800s. The tea caddy as well as the chest would have been used for their designed purpose. An incredible amount of work created each of these utilitarian objects. The third image is of an 18th century reliquary. This container would have held the physical remains or personal effects of saints or other venerated figures. The reliquary provided protection for the commemoration of the subject.