National Craft Month started in 1994 to advocate for buying local, handmade crafts. Each March, crafters unite to promote their artwork internationally. Interested in crafting but not sure where to start? Try paper crafts! Paper crafts can include collage, origami, cardmaking, journal and scrapbooking, papermaking, bookbinding and much more. Plus, paper is a material that many of us are familiar with (especially as library users). No matter what type of paper craft piques your interest, there’s a book out there for you.
The Art of Papercraft is a great starting point for people who want to try out paper craft but don’t know where to start. This book by artist Helen Hiebert covers 40 projects that you can do with a single sheet of paper. Perhaps you’ll find out that you like glueing more than folding—that's ok! Interested in quilling and origami? Not a problem. You’ll figure out what interests you best by trying out these simple projects designed by different artists in the paper craft community. With a brief introduction on the history of paper and a papermaking tutorial at the end, this book truly has the best of paper crafts.
Perhaps cardmaking has caught your eye? Then The Complete Photo Guide to Cardmaking is the book for you! Perfect for beginners with tons of gorgeous images of greeting cards (with some for a holiday or event, but most being adaptable to any occasion), author Judi Watanabe describes projects depending on your mood. Interested in an embossed look? What about pop-up cards or making your own rubber stamps? Mixed media, scrapbook and collage techniques are also included in this inspirational book.
Are you interested in scrapbooks or journalling? Collage your Life inspires visual storytellers. Author Melanie Mowinski makes it easy for beginners, introducing readers to basics like color and composition before diving into some interesting project ideas (low-tech printmaking, found objects). In 55 prompts, Mowinski asks readers to randomly flip to a page and complete an artistic prompt, which is a fun way to incorporate theory into practice! The final chapter is on “creating the container,” inspiring people to do basic bookmaking.
Speaking of bookmaking, the book Japanese Paper Craft focuses specifically on stationary in which author Aya Nagaoka divides into the categories of writing, organizing and archiving. Nagaoka is a bookbinder herself so the projects lean towards the area of bookbinding and box making. While this book might be a breeze for those experienced in book arts, Nagaoka does include beginning, defining different supplies and terminology that a highly-motivated amateur would need to know.
Which craft catches your eye? Take a look at our craft programs for adults at various Chicago Public Library locations.
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