The techniques in this badge program are added to paper and create depth, whether it’s attached to or through the paper. It might even change the entire shape of the paper.
Steps
1. Assemble.
Assemblage is similar to collage, but instead of using a single medium for your artwork, you combine different raw materials including found materials. You might also refer to this as mixed media. The idea is that you’re assembling your piece that utilizes paper. Look at art made with paper which incorporates other materials. Is this a technique you’d like to try?
2. Cast.
Casting paper involves a mold or “cast”. Using tissue, glue and water, press the tissue into the mold. Allow it to dry and you’ve made a paper cast. You can also use paper pulp in the mold, but be sure to press out the excess water. Find more information on the exact process and try to make a cast yourself.
3. Collage.
In paper collage, you use paper to form your artwork. Choose any type of paper, including ephemera, newspapers, letters, notes you create specifically for a project or photographs to use in your collage. Try making a small collage piece.
4. Decoupage.
Decoupage is cutting and then gluing layers of paper to an object. You may have smaller and larger pieces of paper. You may choose papers that follow a theme such as flowers or Victorian images. After gluing down all the paper pieces to your base, it is covered with layers of varnish or the equivalent. You can decoupage on glass, wood or any other flat surface. Watch a video or demonstration of decoupage. Try decoupaging a small item.
5. Die-cuts.
Die-cuts used to be expensive, but with machines like the Cricut, you can do a lot more for less. They are no longer just “silhouette” images. You can get pieces that allow layering or assembling an image. Depending on the machine you’re using, you might also be able to add text. Look at die-cuts. How might you use these in your paper crafting?
6. Embellish.
Making your own embellishments out of paper and attaching them to a card, box or other item is another “technique.” Most embellishments aren’t stand-alone paper crafts. Many of them are listed throughout this badge set. Creating a stock of embellishments gives you something to draw from when you need a little bit more on a piece of paper art. As you experiment with techniques, start your own stash of embellishments. This might include:
- Paper beads
- Paper bows
- Paper flowers
- Paper medallions
- Paper silhouettes
- Paper tags
7. Embroidery.
You can do stitching or embroidery on paper. Your best bet is to first pierce the paper where you want the stitches to go. Stitching tends to be straight stitches that create a design while embroidery techniques you use on fabric can be used on paper. Experiment with this technique.
8. Hand work.
Anything you wish to do by hand on the paper counts as “hand work.” You might choose to draw or doodle on the page in ink, metallic pens or paint. Calligraphy or lettering is another way to add your own personal touch to a sheet. You can do a single decorative letter, a word or a quote you love. What other ways might you use your hand to add variety to your paper crafts?
9. Iris folding.
Iris folding is taking small pieces of folded paper and layering them to make a pattern behind a punched area or cut out shape. It is called this because the center is blank and the folded paper edges look like the iris of a camera. Find an image and free pattern online. Try making a simple design. If you enjoy it, experiment some more.
NOTE: I’ve also done iris folding with ribbon instead of paper.
10. Paper tole.
Paper tole is also called 3d decoupage. Paper tole takes multiple versions of a single image and you cut out pieces so the background image is full-sized while certain smaller areas are cut and attached over the same area, creating areas that are raised. Watch a video or demonstration of paper tole. You can use double-sided adhesive tape to raise the layers. In the 1970s, we used glue in little rolls of bread, so this technique has been around a long time.
11. Piecing.
Piecing is similar to quilting, but with paper instead of fabric. Simple shapes such as kites or even patterns can be made from multiple differently designed papers. Try making a simple shape with multiple different papers. Look at the designs and colors to make sure they work well together.
12. Pockets.
A pocket is similar to an envelope, except it is attached to a paper base. It allows you to put small items within it. It might be something for a memory or a cute story you’ve written in a letter and put into it. Explore pockets. How might you incorporate this technique into your paper crafting?
13. Pop-ups.
If you’ve purchased a greeting card and opened it, only to have something within move at you . . . you’ve experienced a pop-up. At its most basic, it is two parallel lines that go across a fold. The fold is then inverted and an image or other element is placed on it so that it lays flat while the card is closed but gives the illusion of dimensionality when opened.
You can take it to the next level by making entire words go over the fold or multiple layer, complicated images that create scenes. Try a simple pop-up. Are you interested in something more difficult?
14. Roll.
If you’ve checked out the Paper Beads badge set, you’ve already rolled a bunch of beads. You can take this idea and upscale it. For example, a roll the entire height of a card can have slits cut into it and leaves inserted for paper bamboo. A series of rolls can be placed together and then the center cut out to create a frame. Think about rolling paper and how the rolls can be incorporated into your designs.
15. Spirelli.
Sprelli, or spirella, combined a cut out shape and wrapped fiber. It looks like string art. Explore spirelli / spirella online to learn more.
Badge and Supplement Files
Member Level
- 0EP_B_BPG_Paper Tech IV_2in_12up_MS1_larajla — generic badge printable
- 0EP_BLIST_Paper Tech IV_MS1_larajla — badge items per membership level
- 0EP_BSET0_Paper Tech IV_MS1_larajla —badge set and related badges
- 0EP_SUPP0_Paper Tech IV_Journal_MS1_larajla — badge journal
- 0EP_SUPP0_Paper Tech IV_Planner_MS1_larajla — badge planner
- 0EP_SUPPL_Paper Tech IV_MS1_larajla — supplements currently available per membership level
Supplement Fun
- 0EP_SUPP0_Tech Fun_Spirella_MS2_larajla — simple project to show this technique
Sites to Explore
- www.craftcreations.com/pages/free-craft-projects
- www.craftideas.info/html/paper_craft_information.html
- www.wikihow.com/Decoupage
- modpodgerocksblog.com/the-7-steps-to-perfect-mod-podging-every-time
- cdn.dickblick.com/lessonplans/pdfs/handmade_paper.pdf
- cdn.dick-blick.com/lessonplans/collagraph-paper-casts/collagraph-paper-casts-collacasts.pdf
- www.thesprucecrafts.com/how-to-do-iris-folding-1252465
- www.iris-folding.com/freepatterns.html
- www.wikihow.com/Do-Paper-Tole
- www.craftymarie.com/2017/02/3D-decoupage-tutorial-instructions.html
- www.thesprucecrafts.com/embroidery-on-paper-1177458
- popuppaper.blogspot.com
- www.pinterest.com/papercreations/paper-pop-ups
- blitsy.com/blog/diy/card-making-techniques-paper-piecing-made-easy
- www.pinterest.com/embnca/spirelli
Get the infographic here > larajla blog post
Get the PDFs of the badge program / supplements here