The art of quilling

Wikipedia defines quilling or paper filigree as an art form that involves the use of strips of paper that are rolled, shaped, and glued together to create decorative designs.  This definition doesn't come close to describing the beautiful work produced by Charlotte Canup of Powder Springs, GA.  Charlotte is one of our Top Sellers and returns to the Christmas House with more of her lovely pieces.  Here's what Charlotte has to say about her passion for quilling.

I have been asked many times how I have the patience to spend hours quilling. But ever since I was a little girl, my fingers have instinctively torn paper into strips and rolled them into curls. While in high school, I happened upon a how-to book about quilling (also known as paper filigree) and was immediately enthralled by all of the beautiful designs that could be made with coiled and scrolled bits of paper. I wanted to learn more about this centuries-old art form that was enjoying a resurgence of popularity in the craft world and amassed quite a collection of books, each one showing me something new and exciting that could be done with quilling. I lost no time creating framed quilled art and dimensional pieces as gifts for family and friends. These works were so well received that I entered my first craft fair at the age of 16 and sold out the first day

I enjoy the challenge of creating my own quilling patterns and I find inspiration everywhere – from traditional quilt blocks and vintage fabrics, to mosaic tiles and wallpaper patterns. Quilling allows me to “paint” a design with paper that can be as simple or as intricate as I choose. And since this timeless art form adapts beautifully to both flat and three-dimensional designs, I never run out of ideas. While I love quilling in its purest form (just me and the paper), I enjoy mixing it up with trendy techniques and materials. What could be better than quilling pretty posies to decorate a tag you’ve tea stained yourself? Or, how about using quilled roses for “pushpin” heads on a bulletin board themed scrapbook page? Quilling isn’t just for shadowboxes anymore!

Along with participating in craft fairs, and giving demonstrations, I teach the art of quilling to other paper craft enthusiasts in my studio located within Art Things (a retail art gallery located in downtown Dallas, GA). Various tools can be used to curl the paper strips (slotted tool, corsage pin, needle tool, and even the trusty toothpick) and I show my students how to work with each. However, I still love the feel of the paper between my fingers and prefer to finger roll my coils and scrolls.

 My designs have been published in Crafts ‘n Things™  and CardMaker™ Magazines. Two of my quilled cards (“just ducky” and “Christmas Cheer”) appear in the book, 1,000 Handmade Greetings: Creative Cards and Clever Correspondence, by Laura McFadden (Author), and Deborah Baskin (Author).

I’m a proud member of the North American Quilling Guild and the South Cobb Arts Alliance, Inc.