Craft Fairs 2011

The holiday craft fairs are picking up!  Don't forget to check out the Etsy PaperTwirlies "NEWS" page to find out where our team members are participating in craft fairs this season.

'Tis the season to go shopping!

Breast Cancer Awareness

Women in the United States get breast cancer more than any other type of cancer except for skin cancer. It is second only to lung cancer as a cause of cancer death in women.

Each year it is estimated that nearly 200,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 40,000 will die. Approximately 1,700 men will also be diagnosed with breast cancer and 450 will die each year.

October is known as breast cancer awareness month, a few members of the Papertwirlies Team have products that will have portions of the proceeds donated to help in the fight against breast cancer. Please take time to visit and possibly purchase any of these items to help with such a great cause. 

Curly Quills has her Raising Awareness section which feature these lovely earrings and cute quilled hope pin. From September 15 – October 31, 50% of the proceeds from the sale of these items will go to charity in support of breast cancer awareness, support, research, and help to find a cure. She will also have 10% off other "pink" items in her store, and you'll also receive FREE Shipping during this time (US only - Everywhere else $1.00 shipping).

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Barbara's Beautys shop features a breast cancer awareness section with a variety of items ranging from jewelry to Christmas ornaments. During the month of October, 25% of the proceeds from all pink items in her shop will be donated to Breast Cancer Awareness.

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Quilly Nilly's breast cancer awareness section features cute owl magnets (save the hooters) and paper pots. A portion from the sale of all these items will be donated to help in breast cancer research. 

Welcome to the team!

I want to extend a welcome to 3 very talented new Etsy Paper Twirlies team members:

NavankaCreations

Roses in a Basket Mini Canvas Quilling Art

BarbarasBeautys

Quilled Purple Design (Hearts) Necklace and Card Set

and

CurlyQuills

Light Blue Rose Scrapbook Accents

Please stop by their shops to take a look at all their fabulous items.

Paper Twirlies People - QuillyNilly

QuillyNilly's creations are bright, whimsical and fun! The colours convey so much energy and liveliness. Please take a moment to read up about this Paper Twirlies Etsy Team Member:

1. Tell us a little about yourself, your store, and your crafts.

I love paper, always have; I remember when I was about 10 or so I took a box divided it into sections (rooms) and made it into a house. I then proceeded over the next month or so to create the family (paper bunnies) and all the items that would go in the house.I created everything out of paper, and it makes me sad sometimes that I don't have any photo's or anything from that - it was a major project for me back in the day.

A little after I started quilling I decided I was going to sell my stuff at a festival here in town so I figured out the name (Quilly Nilly) and worked out a logo. From that I started selling stuff in craft fairs in the area, then after my daughter was born (almost 3 years ago) I received a call from someone who was opening a shop in town and wanted to know if I'd be interested in renting a space to sell my stuff, which I was; and I've been there ever since they opened which has been about 2 1/2 years. That shop is called Creativity and is located in Bartlett Tn., if anyone is in the area and would like to pop in. I've been on etsy officially for about a year and a half, at www.quillynilly.etsy.com.

2. What role does art/crafts play in your life?

Art is a daily thing for me. I'm a graphic designer by trade so I'm on the computer all day not necessarily being creative but creating. In the past (prior to my children) I made a lot of my family's Christmas and birthday gifts, I used to sew, love working with felt and of course paper. After my grandmother passed some years ago, they gave me back a picture I had created for her of Holly Hobby (dating myself now). I had redrawn her and colored it in; it was neat to see it after so many years.

3. How were you introduced to paper quilling?

I was on the internet one day researching something, which to this day I can't remember what it was. I ended up on Martha Stewart's website; on a page that had this paper curled package bows - and I thought they were the coolest thing. It mentioned they were done by quilling so I spent the rest of my morning researching quilling and where to get the paper and tools to do it. The local Michael's had a book, card stock strips and the slotted tool. That afternoon I was hooked and quilling like a fool; I haven't stopped since; that was over 5 years ago.

4. How long have you been paper quilling?

For a little over 5 years, although I've taken a year or so off after having my daughter.

5. What is your favourite quilling artform/technique?

I like 3-D forms, and while I've recently learned how to do the little trinket boxes made from the thicker papers, it's the larger projects that I'm amazed by. I've seen some quillers do these super elaborate flower displays and I just can't imagine how long that must take or how they have to prepare for it - I really can't grasp something that big but I would like to try someday.

6. In your eyes, what makes your quilling unique?

I think the color combinations I use are somewhat unique, there are only so many colors but I tend to work in bright colors then more traditional - and a lot of my projects seem to be very whimsical - I love bright fun items but some "grown ups" don't so I'm trying to create both fun and classy items to appeal to everyone. I also like to be original in as much of my quilled items as I can be (I know there's only so many ways to make a flower look original) I do however have some embellishments that are my original designs such as my lightbulbs or reindeer for Christmas time; and my baby embellishments. I get lots of comments on those, that makes me smile.

In honour of October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, QuillyNilly has made some magnets for the cause that

certainly makes one smile!! Tata Magnets - It's Silly Sweet!

Paper Twirlies People - Ensorcelled Minds

Lisa of Ensorcelled Minds loves nature and animals and tries to recycle everything else to make up for her paper addiction! Her other passion is writing, here's a little feature of this Paper Twirly Person!

Tell us a little about yourself, your store, and your crafts.
"Ensorcelled Minds Inc. was born from my love of paper. I've been a paper addict since I was a child. Once introduced to scrapbooking, card-making was a natural extension. My favourite embellishment are die-cuts but I love the dimension that paper quilling can bring to card and page layouts too.

How did it become a store? Well, I wanted to help some small-time charity without having to commit to fixed, regular hours. So, I what I do is dream up card kits and teach them in workshops where half the workshop fee goes to the charity. The exercise of thinking up dozens of card layouts is what lead me to selling online.

A lot of people ask me, what does "ensorcelled" mean? Generally speaking, it means "hypnotized by means of sorcery" or "under a spell". That's exactly what I am when I'm in my scraproom!!"

What role does art/crafts play in your life?
"Paper crafting is definitely a creative release for me. I am a Chartered Accountant by profession. Scrapbooking suits me well because it both serves to document events in my life as well as be a creative outlet! I've just branched out from there."

How were you introduced to paper quilling?
"I took a class at Michaels: The crafting superstore."

How long have you been paper quilling?
"I've been quilling for almost two years."

What is your favourite quilling artform/technique?

"I enjoy just regular, basic quilling for my scrapbooking and card-making. While I am impressed by 3D and tapestry quilling, it's just not in me!"

In your eyes, what makes your quilling unique?
"I use cardstock for my quilling which doesn't bend as smoothly as quilling strips. It is also thicker than quilling strips. I think this gives my quilling a more primitive and bold shape. That impression and the fact that I use only basic shapes, makes my quilling simple. You can tell from my work that I like the simple and de-cluttered look. It's just my style!"

Paper Twirlies People - Dazzling Delight

Beth of Dazzling Delight has a Bachelors Degree in Studio Art. She has explored all sorts of mediums but has a special passion for paper! Here's a little feature of this Paper Twirly Person!

Tell us a little about yourself, your store, and your crafts.

"Dazzling Delight started out not as an Etsy Paper Quilling store, but a beauty salon in backyard. I was 8 years old and I charged 25 cents to polish fingernails. My customers were my mother and granmother. Needless to say The Dazzling Delight Beauty Salon did not last very long....alas, I stuggled to pay my bills on such a meager salary. When I discovered Etsy I was trying to coming up with a clever little name for my store and my husband had the answer!! Dazzling Delight was reborn! My little business is still not paying the bills....but it is SO MUCH FUN, that I just don't care!"

What role does art/crafts play in your life?

"I have been crafting all my life. My mom and I would make our own paper dolls when I was little. I've dabbled in all sorts of crafts from jewlery making to sculpture to candlemaking to paper mosaic. I love paper though. Paper is my passion!!"


How were you introduced to paper quilling?

"My great-aunt who is a nun, although she passed away a few years ago, sent my brother his graduation announcement to him as a present and it was framed with all these swirls and curls around it. I went to the library to investigate and came home with a stack of books. For the next few days I was there with my head buried in one of those books with a stack of construction paper, ruler and scissors by my side. Depsite my endless begging to get rid of it, my mom still has my first attempts at paper quilling!"

How long have you been paper quilling?

"16 years (oh my!!)"

What is your favourite quilling artform/technique?

"I love 3D quilling. One of the first books I got had a cute little clown in it holding a bunch of balloons. I tried everything else in the the book and it was finally down to that clown!! I was pleased with the way it turned out and made a little person to look like my boyfriend (now my husband). He would still have his little mini-me to this day if that cat hadn't dscovered it. I found that little paper head rolling around the floor.....a GREAT cat toy!!"

In your eyes, what makes your quilling unique?

"I guess just the fact that it's 3D makes it unique!"

Paper Twirlies People - Paper Art Plus

Shirley B. is the creator behind Paper Art Plus. She loves to craft but paper related crafts are her first love. Along with quilling, she does books and journals, coasters, blankets, ATC's, and more. Here is a team interview:

Tell us a little about yourself, your store, and your crafts.

I'm a English woman living in Anchorage Alaska...met and married a GI in England and we eventually ended up here. My store has an eclectic mix of goodies. I like to work in a variety of craft mediums, including paper, fabric, and tile.

What role does art/crafts play in your life?

A great part! It keeps me sane and is a good distraction from pain conditions!

How were you introduced to paper quilling?

A friend sent me a kit in a swap years ago...and I was hooked.

How long have you been paper quilling?

About 8 years.

What is your favourite quilling artform/technique?

Gosh, a hard question! I like doing all sorts of techniques and trying new ones!

In your eyes, what makes your quilling unique?

Another hard question! I do tend to stay with flowers and leaves but that isn't really unique! You can learn more about Shirley and all her crafts on her blog: A bit of this... a bit of that!