A rose is a rose!

Hi All!

Found a wonderful tutorial for making a quilled rose - http://honeysquilling.wordpress.com/2012/12/14/how-to-make-a-paper-quilled-rose/

Here are some pretty rose stud earrings, glittered up :) Aren't they beautiful?

How about a pair of black roses with silver glitter? Hmmm....not a bad idea! Up next...

Cheers!
Manasee

Trees and Mushrooms

Hello All!

When a custom order came in for a decorative piece for a nursery, finalizing the design was a tough choice. I like simple stuff, so I decided to go ahead with some green...a tree and a little mushroom. Simple and sweet, I hope the baby gazes at this piece and loves the colors!

The caterpillar was added at the last minute, and I think it looks pretty :)

Cheers!

Manasee

Flower Bouquet

Hello All!

Quilling presents endless possibilities with creating flowers. Simple shapes can be put together in the most creative ways to produce unimaginable varieties of charming flowers. So with petals made of the basic marquis shape, and the center made of a fringed roll, here are some fresh and lovely daisies!

I love the combination of white and maroon. No wonder the flowers ended up in those hues.

The stems are also quilled, by twisting two shades of intertwined green paper. I specifically wanted the bouquet to be three dimensional to make it as life-like as possible. Throw in a couple of just-bloomed buds, and the bouquet looks so real that it could attract bees!

The frame is 6" X 73/4" wooden shadow box, and the work is covered with acrylic.

Can you smell the blossoms?

Cheers!
Manasee

Quilled Vase

Hello All!

Finally, a dream comes true! A challenge I was raring to take on, accomplished successfully. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, a hollow quilled 3D vase!

The vase is completely hollow, i.e. the quilled forms are not stuck on top of any base form, they stick to each other to form the shape of the vase. This was a tremendous effort, and required patience I have never known I possessed :) The vase is approximately 6 inches in height, and about 3 inches diameter at the largest width.

Some close-ups...

The vase is safe in its transparent glass case, and sits proudly in my living room. I just cant stop looking at it! The shape could have been more perfect, but I am very satisfied with this for a first try.

I do want to try and put up a short tutorial for this one, hopefully in good time! Till then, let me take another look at the beauty :)

Cheers!
Manasee

Quilled Lakshmi - Indian Goddess

Hello All!

On my recent trip to India, I visited the famous Mahalaxmi temple in Kolhapur. For the uninitiated, this goddess is highly revered in Hindu religion. She wears colorful bright clothes, is adorned with gold jewelry and is resplendent in her glory. Seeing that beautiful idol inspired this frame.

The features of the goddess are hand sketched, and all her adornments are quilled in this 5 X 7 frame.

I have to mention this again - I LOVE beehiving! It fits almost any project, and can be used as a filler so well! The goddess' hair is done using combing technique, using a golden edged black paper.

I am very satisfied at the expression on her face, serene and all-knowing. Quilling this goddess makes me want to quill the Indian god 'Ganpati' soon!

Cheers!
Manasee

Quilled Lady Coaster

Hello All!

Here is a trial of a stunning technique, mastered by Eugene Evseeva. The technique involves quilling female characters - quilled hair, clothes, accessories.

This photo caught my eye somewhere on the internet (kicking myself for not saving that link now :( ), and I decided to give it a go.

I had found these beautiful coasters on whimsiquills (http://www.whimsiquills.com/servlet/the-2089/N20072-Round-Coaster/Detail and no, I am not paid to advertise), which I was very impatient to start quilling on. So I decided to make a coaster out of the photo, quilling the hair portion and sketching the rest of the girl's face. It was not an easy job, and the number of small coils and shaped made my head spin. But about three days later, here is what I had, a beautiful coaster with this sassy girl on it!

A closeup -

Her hair is shades of black and brown, and I love the pouting red lips :)

The portrait is completely under glass, and sealed off at the bottom of the coaster too. You can use this as a coaster or a paper weight, any stains will wipe right off the glass without spoiling the artwork.

Gives me the thought of starting a series of quilled portrait coasters...hmmm....

Cheers!
Manasee

More Jewelry

Hi All!

My stay in India was no respite from quilling (not that I wanted any!), and I ended up making a bunch of quilled jewelry articles for a few custom orders.

I wanted to make something traditional, which can be worn on the salwar-kameez or even a saree, and this is what came of it - green and gold (my favorite combination!) interwoven into a tight coil, with a green 'latkan' i.e. a hanging embellishment. I have used one strip of green on top of a golden strip to bring out this effect. The colors play beautifully with each other, giving just the right amount of gold between the rich green.

On similar lines made this pretty pink pendant for my little niece. She is currently smitten with pink and red, and has started to love jewelry, no doubt, she adored it :)

A customer wanted something in maroon and silver, something which would go well on skirts. Nothing too ostentatious, but something that would be noticed. Here is what came of it. I just loved the silver daggers hanging from the coil, my find at a local trinket shop!

Cheers!
Manasee

**Please contact me at paperpreciousart@gmail.com if you are interested in purchasing any of the articles. Customization of articles is possible.

Happy Women's Day :)

Hello All!

Paper Precious was featured today in the news as a Women's Day Special article. It is a local newspaper, in Marathi language. The title reads "Queen of Paper Quilling" :) 

http://epaper2.esakal.com/8Mar2013/Normal/Kolhapur/KolhapurToday/index.htm

This seems an apt time to stop, reflect and be thankful to everyone who has helped Paper Precious since it's inception. So many people have motivated, helped, criticized, and helped me in every step of this venture...this post is a tiny tribute to them!

Vrushank - For all your motivation and appreciation and constructive criticism, always :)

Shraddha - It all started with that first quilled item we both did together! You are a great "creative partner" :D

Manjiri - Sisters in blood, thoughts and action, you are the one who promotes all my ventures tirelessly, be it with wearing the items yourself, or making R wear them!!

All friends, who proudly displayed my items, brought me customers, gave me ideas, and trusted me - a big big THANK YOU!

Not to mention, the readers of this blog, who put up with my disappearances very patiently :)

Cheers!

Manasee

Photo Frames

Hello All!

With me and my husband clicking non stop photos of the baby, it was but natural that I would get to making quilled photo frames sooner or later :)

Here is one with a delicately quilled border. My inspiration for this design was the cover picture on All Things Paper. I simply loved the perfect twirly shapes in the design.

This frame uses dark maroon and green paper, springing up into leaves on a creeper.

Creeper Photo Frame - $15

More designs to come!

Cheers!
Manasee

**Please contact me at paperpreciousart@gmail.com if you are interested in purchasing any of the articles. Customization of articles is possible.

Earrings

Hello All!

I am back! The baby has settled into more or less of a routine, and I am back with new items.

Here is a collection of quilled earrings, in varied colors, designs and styles.

Blue-Pink Petal Earrings
$10

Shades of Blue Drop Earrings
$10

Golden Kites
$10

Traditional Drops
$10

Red Swirls
$10

Modern Drops
$10

Royal Blue Traditional Drops
$10

All items are unique, and rest assured, no one else in the world will own the same earrings as the one you gift your special someone! Truly one of a kind gift, for one of a kind person!

Cheers!
Manasee

**Please contact me at paperpreciousart@gmail.com if you are interested in purchasing any of the articles. Customization of articles is possible.

Detachable Christmas Ornaments

Hello All!

A friend suggested this idea of making a Christmas card / ornament, and I simply loved it. I love cards, but hate it when they get dumped somewhere after the occasion. One can finally get around this problem by detaching the ornament from the card, and putting it up on the Christmas tree, year after year!

Here are a few ornament cards with a Christmas theme, and they seem to be the ideal holiday gift! Snowflakes, candies and Christmas trees...bring on the holidays :)

Sparkly Snowflake Ornament Card
$12, appx. 4" X 2"

Christmas Candy Ornament Card
$10, appx. 3"

Christmas Tree Ornament Card
$12, appx. 3" X 2"

Cheers!
Manasee

**Please contact me at paperpreciousart@gmail.com if you are interested in purchasing any of the articles. Customization of articles is possible.

Holiday Time!

Hello All!

The holidays are just around the corner...well, maybe the corner after a few more blocks...but the holiday spirit is in the air! Come September, and I start smelling pumpkin pies everywhere. Before you know it, Halloween will be here, with Thanksgiving and Christmas following closely on its heels!

Here is a start to the Christmas spirit...quilled snowflakes! Petite, delicate, pearly white, they are the perfect ornament for any Christmas tree, small or big.

Snowflake

And a three dimensional one -

Brrr...its snowing in my studio :)

Happy Holidays!
Manasee


**Please contact me at paperpreciousart@gmail.com if you are interested in purchasing any of the articles. Customization of articles is possible.

Ready to Ship

Hello All!

Mixed feelings - excitement and pride mixed with a twinge of sadness. Why, you ask? I just sold one of my frames. The 'Bluebells and Butterflies' frame.

I know it is going to a happy, art-loving home and the folks who bought it will adore it, and I am happy to be the creator of something which people see worthy of putting up in their homes. But at the same time, it feels a bit sad to see it all packed and ready to depart.

Wrapped and Ready

Plastic wrap - check.
Bubble wrap - check.
Double bubble wrap - check.

Hope it reaches safe and sound, and its new owners enjoy displaying it as much as I enjoyed making it!

Cheers!
Manasee

Home Decor - Wall Frames

Hello All!

Preparations for the Lansdowne Market fair are in full swing. In addition to holiday items like ornaments and greeting cards, I am also creating more home decor items. Here are a few created recently. I just cant get over flowers, as you will see in the photos below!

A flower basket full of colorful flowers. The basket is cut out from a table mat :)

FR004 - Flower Basket

An apt gift for a music lover, this wall plaque is made with the technique I call 'Paper Crossovers'. Shades of brown cross over elegantly to form intricate patterns of the staff. The notes stand on top of the staff, in bright blue.

FR005 - Music Wall Plaque

 Another flower piece, three dimensional bluebells this time, attracting a couple of butterflies!

FR006 - Bluebells and Butterflies

Cheers!
Manasee


**Please contact me at paperpreciousart@gmail.com if you are interested in purchasing any of the articles. Customization of articles is possible.
Online store - http://www.etsy.com/shop/paperprecious

Public debut!

Hello All!

Paper Precious has been invited to feature as the 'Artist of the Week' at a local farmer's market on 27th October! I am super excited!

http://lansdownefarmersmarket.com/2012-schedules/aow

The location is the Lansdowne Farmer's Market, which is a great place to find locally grown fresh produce. Every week they showcase the work of one local artist and one musician at the market. Paper Precious will be featured on Saturday, 27th Oct between 9 AM to 1 PM.

Lots of work to be done! I am planning to put up a special range of holiday items - gift articles and greeting cards - for the occasion. Everyone local to the area, I want to see you there!!

Meanwhile...back to work...

Cheers!
Manasee

Orchids

Hello All!

Frames are on my mind for the past few days, and this one is the first of a batch of quite a few - Orange and pink orchids on a branch, with beautiful leaves in shades of green. Did you see the pale buds about to blossom? I have used an actual twig in this frame to give it a more realistic look.

FR003 - Orchids

Close up

The leaves are created using the combing technique. Look pretty, don't they!

Cheers!
Manasee

**Please contact me at paperpreciousart@gmail.com if you are interested in purchasing any of the articles. Customization of articles is possible.
Online store - http://www.etsy.com/shop/paperprecious

Clocks

Hello!

I love the idea of making clocks with a quilled base. So some time ago, when I found these very reasonable 7 inch diameter clocks at a Chinese market for sale, I grabbed a handful to convert into quilled clocks later.

Clock from the market

The clocks came in various colors for the frame, and I purchased one in each color. The idea was to change the dial into something quilled, and reuse the timepieces and the frames.

I used this tutorial from Pritesh's blog for one of the clocks. Here is the finished piece. Should have probably tried out black on white background or the other way around, I think the clock could do with a little more prominence to the design.

GA006 - Lotus Wall Clock

The second clock has a pleasant flowery background without any hour indicators.

GA007 - Flower Wall Clock

There are two more clocks in the works, will hopefully finish them soon!

Cheers!
Manasee

**Please contact me at paperpreciousart@gmail.com if you are interested in purchasing any of the articles. Customization of articles is possible.
Online Store - http://www.etsy.com/shop/paperprecious

Quillography

Hello!

Quillography, or lettering using quilling is quickly turning into one of my favorite quilling items to do. Made this frame as an entry to the challenge posted by Pritesh.

I simply love the complexity in making the 'Paper Crossovers' as I call them. Paper strips intersect each other on the canvas to create wonderful meshed graphics. One has to be very careful in making these crossovers as the curves have to be perfect, look like intersecting lines, and not just pieces of paper glued side by side. This would be a good candidate for a tutorial!

Here is the finished product - EARTH.

FR003 - Quillography, EARTH

I had a green theme in mind for a long time, and initially thought of making thick 2D letters in white, surrounded by various leaves in shades of green. But while I was trying out the letters in various fonts, the 'E' seemed to be a perfect candidate to sprout a few lush leaves. The other letters quickly followed suit, and soon became entangled into one entity with the brown soil and the greens meshing together, not to mention the sparse blue popping out on the top! My vision of earth :)

Here is a view from a different angle -

A close-up of the leaves.

The challenge requires a minimum A4 size product, so here it is with the ruler to show the scale.

Cheers!
Manasee

**Please contact me at paperpreciousart@gmail.com if you are interested in purchasing any of the articles. Customization of articles possible.
Online Store - http://www.etsy.com/shop/paperprecious

Blue Swirls Wall Clock

Hello!

For some time now, I have been fascinated and eager to try a new technique in quilling, something that I call 'Paper Crossovers'. It is the technique in which the artist gives the appearance of the papers intersecting each other, something like this -

http://averychocolatewedding.blogspot.com/2011/04/and-my-very-second-quilled-letter.html

It is a *very* painstaking technique, where one has to cut the paper strips of small lengths and then assemble them together to create smooth curves. The effort is worth the end product though.

Here is my attempt at making a wall clock using this technique.

GA005 - Blue Swirls Wall Clock

The timepiece is yet to be added to the clock. Notice the flower shape created from the paper intersections. Keeping in line with the blue theme, the background is a dark blue and black combination.

Here is a closeup of the coils and the swirls.

GA005 - Blue Swirls Wall Clock

Next project - lettering using this technique!

Cheers!
Manasee

**Please contact me at paperpreciousart@gmail.com if you are interested in purchasing any of the articles. Customization of articles possible.
Online Store - http://www.etsy.com/shop/paperprecious