What is Paper Quilling?
Today I’d like to introduce you to an art form that was completely new to me until recently. It’s called paper quilling. Here’s the definition, courtesy of trusty ‘ol Wikipedia: Quilling or paper filigree is an art form that involves the use of strips of paper that are rolled, shaped, and glued together to create decorative designs. The paper is wound around a quill to create a basic coil shape. The paper is glued at the tip and the coil shaped, these shaped coils are arranged to form flowers, leaves, and various ornamental patterns similar to ironwork.
Sound like a fun hobby? You can get started very easily with a few key resources! I recommend checking out the beginner quiller kit on Amazon, as well as a great book with fun quilling designs!
I recently got to know a Memphis quilling artist named Tracey. Her creations are on display at the Etsy store Quilly Nilly. Go take a quick look around; I bet you will be surprised at the amazing things that Tracey makes out of paper. In fact, her business logo is, “Yes, it’s paper!”
Tracey says that she loves quilling because there are so many different ways that paper can coil and be combined to create larger shapes and designs. She enjoys every quilling project she takes on, but she’s particularly fond of making owls, and she’s enjoying her new ventures in making 3-D miniatures and paper sculptures.
I knew that the results of quilling were cool just by looking at the items for sale at Quilly Nilly. When a package arrived from Tracey, however, and I got to see a finished product for myself, I was absolutely delighted by how unique, fun and positively precious her items are! Tracey sent me this beach-themed picture frame. Notice the sun, pail, the super cute shovel and beach ball, all made from quilled paper! Everything about this frame is so cute, and it looks professionally done (while also looking like something you can’t find anywhere else). I am thrilled with it, and can’t wait to get a picture of Darah in her swimsuit in the frame.
In addition to making perfectly precious frames, Tracey also makes the perfect note cards for special occasions, very fun magnets to dress up your fridge, and many other cool things! If you have an idea for something that could be made more lovely through quilling, convo Tracey…I bet she can make it for you! Her creations start at just $3.25, and I guarantee you that you are going to fall head over heels for anything she makes for you! Tracey is also offering my readers a 10% discount on any purchase you make just by entering “STP Blog” in the comments section when you make a purchase (money will be refunded via paypal).
Tracey is a really organized artist (which is a bit unusual!), and I know this because of her design process. She says, “Typically when I’m starting a new project I will sketch out what I hope for it to look like, as I work I write down how much paper it took to do each section; if I decide a year from now I want to create a butterfly to go on a smaller note card I’ll know how many strips of paper it took and it makes things a little easier.” Wow!
Originally from Connecticut, Tracey has been calling Memphis home for 16 years now, after coming down to go to college. She loves that this city has a terrific and accessible mix of art and music. She also said that our zoo and our botanic gardens are wonderful places to visit, and I have to agree. Of the people, Tracey says, “You can walk into almost any store here and strike up a conversation with a complete stranger and walk out feeling like you’ve got a new friend.” She’s absolutely right. Memphis may technically be a big city, but really its just a humongous small town! 🙂
Edit: Giveaway CLOSED
Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need Reader is going to win a summer-inspired frame that will have fruit on it. It is going to be so cute! The contest will run until Tuesday, May 25th at 7:59pm CST when a winner will be selected using Random.org. The winner will be emailed and will have 48 hours to respond before the prize is forfeited and a new winner is selected. Open to residents of the United States.
Mandatory Entry:
Tell me your very favorite item at Quilly Nilly!
Additional Entries:
1. Subscribe to my blog via RSS, email or Google friend connect (only one extra entry, even if you subscribe more than one way)
2. Follow Stuff Parents Need on Twitter (leave your Twitter ID)
3. Subscribe to or follow Tracey’s blog
4. Add Quilly Nilly to your Etsy favorites
5. Become a fan of Quilly Nilly on Facebook
6. Suggest an item you’d like to see Tracey make using quilling
7. If you left a Memphis in May comment on this post before May 2nd, leave a comment for an extra entry
Disclosure: I received a complimentary product for review purposes. The opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
Gianna says
Floral Note Holder
Swtlilchick says
I am a fan of Quilly Nilly on Facebook (Charlene Kuser)
chickrum@gmail.com
Swtlilchick says
I added Quilly Nilly to my Etsy favorites username:Swtlilchick57
chickrum@gmail.com
Swtlilchick says
I subscribed Tracey's blog via
google reader
chickrum@gmail.com
amy16323 says
i follow
amy16323(at)gmail(dot)Com
Swtlilchick says
I am following you on Twitter
(Swtlilchick)
chickrum@gmail.com
amy16323 says
the Set of 4 Floral Magnets in Grape
amy16323(at)gmail(dot)Com
Swtlilchick says
I subscribed via email
chickrum@gmail.com
Swtlilchick says
My favorite item is the Paper Quilled Bee Trinket Box
chickrum@gmail.com
tina reynolds says
i follow
tina reynolds says
I really like the Happiness Owl Wall Decor thanks eaglesforjack@gmail.com
lilyk says
I would love to see unicorn themed items!
lilyk says
I become a fan of Quilly Nilly on Facebook.
lilyk says
I added Quilly Nilly to my Etsy favorites.
lilyk says
I subscribed by email.
lilyk says
I love the Happiness Owl Wall Decor!
Hbomb says
I follow Tracey's blog via GFC
xbeautifulcoma at yahoo dot com
Hbomb says
I follow your blog via GFC
xbeautifulcoma at yahoo dot com
Hbomb says
Added to my favorites on etsy (xbeautifulcoma)
xbeautifulcoma at yahoo dot com
Hbomb says
I think a frame with flowers and leaves would be pretty neat!
xbeautifulcoma at yahoo dot com
Hbomb says
I love the happiness owl wall decor!
xbeautifulcoma at yahoo dot com
kathy pease says
like quilly on facebook Kathy L Pease
kathy pease says
following you on twitter klp1965
kathy pease says
Google Friend klp1965
kathy pease says
i love the Green Gingham Owl Wall Decor
FDP 4 Life says
fb fan tony l smoaks
susansmoaks at gmail dot com
FDP 4 Life says
added quilly nilly to etsy favorites – susansmoaks
susansmoaks at gmail dot com
FDP 4 Life says
follower on twitter @fdp4life
susansmoaks at gmail dot com
FDP 4 Life says
rss subscriber
susansmoaks at gmail dot com
FDP 4 Life says
i love the
Happiness Owl Wall Decor
http://www.etsy.com/listing/44319263/happiness-owl-wall-decor
susansmoaks at gmail dot com
Tylerpants says
I'm a follower of Tracey's blog. tylerpants(at)gmail.com
Tylerpants says
I'm a follower. tylerpants(at)gmail.com
Tylerpants says
I love the cool Quilled Sports Frame! tylerpants(at)gmail.com
Julie says
fb fan -Julie A Scott Laws
aunteegem@yahoo.com
Julie says
heart shop as 321Gem
aunteegem@yahoo.com
Julie says
follow your blog
aunteegem@yahoo.com
Julie says
http://www.etsy.com/listing/19317417/lovebirds-wood-frame is darling
aunteegem@yahoo.com
Melissa B. says
I love the Green Gingham Owl Wall Decor.
Atreau says
I like the Lovebirds Wood Frame.
Charlene says
Added Quilly Nilly to my Etsy favorites.
motherabagail531 at yahoo dot com
Charlene says
Follower on GFC
motherabagail531 at yahoo dot com
Charlene says
My favorite is the Happiness Floral Butterfly Card.
motherabagail531 at yahoo dot com
Breanne says
I follow Tracey's blog
Breanne says
I follow your blog via GFC
Breanne says
I love the Lovebirds Wood Frame
Stephanie says
I'm a fan of Quilly Nilly on Facebook (Stephanie Petty-Grant)
thegrants(at)live(dot)com
Stephanie says
I added Quilly Nilly to my Etsy favorites(rockstararkansas)
thegrants(at)live(dot)com
Stephanie says
I follow Tracey's blog via GFC
thegrants(at)live(dot)com
Stephanie says
I follow on Twitter @sgrant2005
thegrants(at)live(dot)com
Stephanie says
I follow via Google friend connect
thegrants(at)live(dot)com
Stephanie says
I love the Personalized Name Magnet Quilled!
thegrants(at)live(dot)com
jenifer says
i thought the first one is ceramic work but its awesome the colors and details love this
Jennifer says
I follow your blog!
Jennifer says
I subscribe via email!
Jennifer says
I like the Quilled sports frame!
sweetsue says
I like the Paper Quilled Baby Embellishment-very cute!
smchester at gmail dot com
Mama Zen says
I can't believe these are paper! I love the personalized name magnets.
Erinn says
I left a Memphis in May comment.
Erinn says
I added Quilly Nilly to my etsy favorites.
Erinn says
I am a subscriber.
Erinn says
I like the Happiness floral butterfly card.
mogrill says
I like the happiness owl wall art.
Thanks for the chance.
mogrill@comcast.net
Renee says
I think mirrors with quilled flowers around the edge would be beautiful.
yeloechikee at hotmail dot com
Renee says
email subscriber
yeloechikee at hotmail dot com
Renee says
Memphis post bonus entry!
yeloechikee at hotmail dot com
Renee says
Never heard of quilling before–thanks for educating me!
I like the Personalized Name Magnet.
yeloechikee at hotmail dot com
coliebear says
I like the quilted sports frame.
lenz.nicole(at)gmail(dot)com
Amber says
I would love to see Tracey make quilled fruit!
Thank you for the giveaway 🙂
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com
Amber says
I follow Tracey's blog!
Thank you for the giveaway 🙂
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com
Amber says
I added Quilly Nilly to my Etsy favorites – my Etsy username is Hurdler4eva
Thank you for the giveaway 🙂
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com
Amber says
The Happiness Owl Wall Decor is my favorite!
Thank you for the giveaway 🙂
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com
Shooting Stars Mag says
follow on twitter: @shootingstarmag
lauren51990 at aol dot com
Shooting Stars Mag says
i follow via google
lauren51990 at aol dot com
Shooting Stars Mag says
i really love the Set of 4 Floral Magnets in Grape
lauren51990 at aol dot com
Becky says
how neat…wish I could do that…I love the happiness owl wall art..bbgad5@gmail.com