Techniques may be used to make stand-alone items or those you can incorporate into other craft projects. Start with this badge to learn more about how I’m looking at paper craft techniques, then see the actual techniques on the other badges in this set.
Steps
1. Explore.
Paper craft techniques may stand alone, but often they work better if paired with another paper craft such as cardmaking or scrapbooking. These are broken down as I’ve learned through many years of paper crating classes. You may notice some of the items have multiple names. If a technique is popularized by a company, sometimes the name changes to the name of the company such as facial tissue in the US frequently just called “Kleenex.” Explore those you think sound interesting. Watch a video or two, take a course or find a local class so you can try those techniques that interest you.
2. Stamp.
Before we get into the techniques, be aware that just because this badge is based on paper crafting doesn’t mean these techniques can only be used with paper. When I was doing a lot of stamping, our saying was we would “stamp anything that stood still.” We stamped on paper, chipboard, clay, wood, tiles, glass, fabric, ribbons . . . well, you get the point. Don’t be afraid to explore more than just the paper side of these mentions. Paper allows you a cheap way to start experimenting with the techniques.
3. Archival.
When paper crafting, you always need to be aware if your materials are archival. If you’re planning on a scrapbook page and use a newspaper article, the acid in the paper will seep into the main page if you don’t protect it. For limited use items like greeting cards, it isn’t as important. Experiment and track what you learn.
4. Craft.
If you think I missed something, check out the Paper Craft Explorer badge set. Items like punching, quilling, teabag folding and coloring are included there as they can be a craft or a technique. I am working on a third badge for that badge set with gift wrapping, envelopes and ornaments being part of it.
5. Craft Creations.
www.craftcreations.com/pages/free-craft-projects
This resource is on ALL of the badge programs in this set. The site offers the magazine they used to put out for free. It focuses on card making, but there are so many techniques covered that you could spend a lot of time just looking through these for techniques. You can find . . .
- 3D Decoupage / paper tole
- Embroidery / cross stitch
- Fabric inclusions
- Layering
- Marbeling
- Quilling
- Pressed flowers
- Printmaking
- Stickers
If you’re looking for the best resource for paper craft technique projects, this is it!
6. Create.
As you experiment with techniques, you may create a technique of your own. Document and share what you create.
7. More.
Some of the techniques have badge sets or supplements that expand on the technique. I hope to eventually have at the very least a supplement going more into depth on each technique. It is a future project, however. As per other badge programs, I’ll be adding supplements as I find them in my vast hard drive of items I’ve created over the years. If you see something specific you’d like to know more about, let me know.
Badge Set
8. Adapt.
See Paper Craft Techniques II. This set deals with ways to adapt and adjust the paper without adding any medium to it. This includes folding and distressing. Check out the badge program and try some of the techniques listed.
9. Backgrounds.
Flat backgrounds are a great place to start for almost any paper craft. Paper Craft Techniques III covers this. It might be as simple as putting ink onto paper or cutting the paper. Try some of these techniques or watch them being done.
10. Depth.
Paper Craft Techniques IV covers items that add depth to your sheet of paper. I would recommend working through the other badge programs in this set before trying these technqiues. They are more advanced. If you can’t wait, though, go for it. Learning is always a good thing!
11. Materials.
Materials and tools can be used in a variety of ways. Paper Craft Techniques V gives you an overview of techniques that include these. You may have experience with some of these in other crafts, so start with those first. Then, have fun experimenting.
Badge and Supplement Files
Member Level
- 0EP_B_BPG_Paper Tech I_2in_12up_MS1_larajla — generic badge printable
- 0EP_BADGE_Paper Tech I_MS1_larajla — PDF of the badge program
- 0EP_BLIST_Paper Tech I_MS1_larajla — badge items per membership level
- 0EP_BSET0_Paper Tech I_MS1_larajla —badge set and related badges
- 0EP_SUPP0_Paper Tech I_Journal_MS1_larajla — badge journal
- 0EP_SUPP0_Paper Tech I_Planner_MS1_larajla — badge planner
- 0EP_SUPPL_Paper Tech I_MS1_larajla — supplements currently available per membership level
Supplement Fun
- 0EP_SUPP0_List Fun_Paper Craft Tech_MS2_larajla — list of techniques per badge program in set
Sites to Explore
- www.craftcreations.com/pages/free-craft-projects
- thegraphicsfairy.com/?s=paper+craft+techniques
- ohio4h.org/sites/ohio4h/files/imce/books_resources/Curriculum/365-20-Paper-Craft.pdf
- www.papermilldirect.co.uk/inspire/papercraft-disciplines-and-techniques
- www.pinterest.com/maryhight/paper-craft-techniques
Get the infographic here > larajla blog post
Get the PDFs of the badge program / supplements here