I do it with everything in life. I am a "cart before the horse" kinda gal. I think it's because I love to plan, plan, plan. And when the planning is complete, I think I know something. But I really don't. This newfound hobby is no different. I have watched videos, I have learned the YouTube teachers' favorite ways of doing things, their favorite tools and paper and glue. I have scoured pictures from the interweb looking for colorful inspirations that could make unique quilled pieces. I have done
everything....but actually quill. That's a stretch I suppose. I have quilled a few teardrops and circles, and I made a few cartoon animals before RN school (three years ago). But what have I done this week? I have started in on a 5x7 dragonfly...with symmetric wings and scrolls and mosaic fillers...
that look horrible! Why you ask? Because I thought I knew what I was doing. So after 48 hours of frustration and do-overs, I took a break from my dragonfly yesterday, and decided I needed to get back to basics. I need to learn something. I know that over time, my judgement about size and shape and technique will improve. I get that, I really do. But I was trying to make certain shapes into specific sizes and nothing was working the way I wanted it to. So I decided to experiment with known lengths and known starting sizes (
what a novel idea, I know). I took several pieces of paper - full strips - and coiled them into known sizes using my handy-dandy circle sizer. Then I made teardrops and put them back over the same circle to see how they turn out (black shapes in pics below). Theoretically, every teardrop that begins with the same size circle, made from the same length of paper, should turn out just about the same. I did the same thing with only half a strip of paper (green in pics below). Very different results ~ very good info to have.
This is a full strip of black paper, uncoiled just enough that it fits into a
13/16 or .8125" diameter circle. Certainly this could have more or less rings depending on how i let it uncoil. For this purpose, I just let it uncoil naturally in my hand until it fit inside the size I needed.
This is what that same circle looks like when shaped. (Not the best picture, I know). The reason that I think this is important (for me) is because I want to work on quilling things that should have some symmetry or otherwise similarity in size (such as dragonfly wings, peacock feathers or fish in a pond). But what I found before doing this is that I had no idea how to gauge how large or small or thick or thin my shapes were going to turn out.
I know the picture quality isn't the best, but notice the two on the top row, right side. The black teardrop is really thick and not very flexible. It's a full-size strip. The green one was made with only half the paper, but I made the starting circle almost the exact same size. The resulting teardrop is much more flexible and shapeable.
So that's the post for today. My intention with this blog is not only to promote quilling and make new friends in the field, but also to help a new quiller overcome some of his or her frustrations. I have learned by watching videos from YouTube - some are terrible (lol) and some are terrific. I personally think Erin Curet with Little Circles is an excellent teacher and promoter of the craft, so check her out if you get a chance!
I just this evening came across your blog. I am NOT a blog reader, but, I read the beginning and I am hooked. lol I cannot believe someone else has the same thoughts and reasons as I do. I hope you continue your blogs, and, curious to know, that as a crafter, blogger, busy Mom, I realize that keeping up with the blog will be difficult. I wanted to know if at some certain point, I had a specific question, or 'discussion' if I could write to you, here, or if there is another manner in which to do that. I really DON'T know the 'rules' of blogging, so if this is out of bounds, please don't hesitate to let me know. I wrote to Erin C, myself a few months back, and she was wonderful enough to write me back, via email, and have yet to reply to her. I DO NOT know where she gets the time to do ALL that she seems to get done. As you wrote that you have watched many Youtubes, and looked at so many different quilliers and different styles, I too, have spent the past few months doing so, andI have yet to decide what exactly is gong to give me the most joy, at the end result. I can explain that more, if you ever want to hear the 'story'. I, just completed a shoe, flowers, etc. that has been partially taken apart, rearranged, taken down, rearranged, etc. etc. There were a few times, I thought I would simply put it on the floor and do some jumping jacks with it. But, it is almost complete, and I promised myself, from the very start, that I will NEVER strive for PERFECTION, as there is only one being that is capable of that, if you believe in that sort of reasoning. I agree, Erin is THE best 'teacher', very good at what she is trying to convey, and soooo down to earth. I don't want to write a book, here, but I was wondering if this is a proper way to communicate, or if you would prefer another or if you don't have the time, pleases let me know and I will follow you quietly. I live in Ft. Lauderdale, Fl, have been dabbling, for a few years with quilling, but am now very interested in taking it a step beyond. Nice to have 'met' you here, and hope to hear from you, whenever it is good for you. Happy Quilling, Kat Brown
ReplyDeleteHi Kat! I'd love to have a blog follower! (That's not already a personal friend...like my ONE other blog reader! Ha!) I would love to see what quilling pieces you have already done. What kind of strips and glue do you use? I think figuring those types of things out (which for me can only really be done by trial and error) is what's most helpful. When i started quilling, there wasn't that much more out there - mainstream anyway - more than the quaint flowers and cutesy pieces - which are just not my style. Of course, Yulia's work was excellent, but no one would keep trying if they compared their stuff to hers right off the bat. Then i came across Erin this summer. She's very real, and like you say, very down to earth. I love her mosaics, which is funny because I started my tree mosaic long before I ever came across her, and then her tips helped me finish it. I learn SO much with each of my more time-consuming pieces. I have also made the switch to 1/4 in paper. I still have a ton of 1/8in and I will probably go back to it for very specific pieces. But for me, the type of art I want to do is more suited for the larger paper. For now anyway. Please post pics of the stuff you have done. I want to see it. And - just a tip - i always hate my pieces when they are "in progress." Erin says something similar - they just don't look as good as they do when they are done. SO don't stop mid-way through. Finish it. :-)
Delete~kef