Paper Crafts - The Ideas Are Boundless

Paper crafts can be as varied as you want them to be. From complex to simple, opulent to frugal. The choice is yours. The beauty of paper crafts lies with the possibilities. It's an art medium with which you can truly let your creativity and imagination go.

Paper Realm:

The realm of paper crafts is a large one, ranging from rubberstamping to scrapbooking to origami and ancient paper-cutting. Tools and techniques dating back centuries are still used today and even still, there's room for us as individual artists to come up with our own style and method.

As for how to get started in paper crafts, you'll want to ask a few questions before diving in. Crafts supplies stores offer all the basic tools you'll need, but for the newbie, the choices can be overwhelming. However, ask a few questions first. The answers should guide you step by step:

What kind of paper craft are you most interested in?
What will your first project be?
Do you wish to save this project for posterity or is it just a trial?

The last question will affect the kind of paper you get. As the name suggests, the main component of paper crafts is: paper. As an artist, you'll have a choice of either archival or non-archival papers. The former is for long-lasting projects and the latter, for projects you won't mind discarding in time.

What you need to remember is that, the type of paper chosen will invariably dictate the other supplies you use. You wouldn't want to use a non-archival ink with your specially-chosen archival paper. The project should be consistent throughout.

The Project:

As for the types of projects you can try - where to begin? If you wish to start with a very basic project (yet with the potential to be pro-like), try rubberstamping. This paper craft essentially finds you adding pattern and dimension to paper using stamps. The creativity comes from the patterns, use of space, and color combinations you'll need to balance. It's also fairly simple to learn and is open to experimentation. Unlike scrapbooking, which can seem overwhelming for some, rubberstamping presents less pressure for a beginner's project.

Feeling more ambitious? Paper crafts also include paper folding, better known as "origami," collages, custom cards, and even, paper-cutting - an art form first practiced in Ancient China some 1,400 years ago. Paper cutouts are also interesting as they can easily be applied to other projects, such as scrapbooking, collages, or shadow boxes. All are a great way to create contrast.

Wrap-up:

Beyond the above ideas though, there are dozens more, not to mention hundreds of variations. Indeed, even today, paper crafts continue to evolve. Artists are finding new ways to stretch the medium, expanding it to make use of modern technology and tools, while still holding onto the craft's defining principles.

And so, whether you're interested in starting a hobby or studying to become a professional, the chances are that in time you'll find your own "stamp" when it comes to paper crafts. A signature tool, technique, or shortcut that identifies your craft as your own. The ideas are boundless.