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!

Patriotic

Last month we had some really great entries for our Etsy Papertwirlies Team contest, and it looks like this month is off to a great start. Oh, before we forget; the winner of last months contest was Beth, with her very creative and very pretty Maypole - congratulations again Beth.

This months theme is Patriotic. We have two entries so far and they are both really great.

Quilled Red, White and Blue Hats by Iguanamakeit

Quilled Red and White Félicitations Card by Ensorcelledminds

Here is what Lisa has to say about her card

CANADA’S RED AND WHITE!

Canada Day is coming up on the First of July. Our Paper Twirlies team of paper quillers on Etsy is hosting a contest to use patriotic colours this month in preparation for the celebrations. (America’s Independence Day is the Fourth of July.) For this contest, I decided to incorporate Canadian elements by using – of course! – red and white which are the colours in our National flag. Also, I used a French language sentiment since French is our second National language. To incorporate a celebratory theme, the card is a wedding cake card that reads “congratulations” on the front. It could work for an anniversary card too!

The tiered, quilled cake is topped with a red bow and sprinkled with red roses. The side of the card is scalloped so the last red strip is actually on the inside of the card for some interest.

Team Contest Entry

Quilled Mom's Blooms Frame by Jmonty

"Here is my entry in the May contest. I call it 'Mom's Blooms.' The splashes of paint represent rain. The flowers are the blooms that result from a spring rain. This is what I would have given my mother had she still been with me this mother's day. I made it in her honor. I have a passion for quilling and flowers are my favorite. If only I can make a really good quilled rose!"

Team Contest Entries

One of the fun things we do each month as a team is a contest amongst ourselves. We have a fabulous gal who picks a theme, we write a little bit about why our item fits the theme, our inspiration and a little bit about ourselves or our shop. The theme for May is Springtime, here are the first 3 quilled items that have been submitted. Please check back as more are submitted. Enjoy!

Quilled Floral Watch by Iguanamakeit

"This is my entry for our May contest! I feel it fits in with our theme for Spring/Mother's Day as it shows pretty spring flowers, and I made this for my mom as a gift. I wanted to make something pretty and useful and thought this watch perfect. 

I made the tiny flowers with 1/8" paper, which I then cut the width in half. Using tiny scissors for fringing and tweezers, I made and placed the flowers on the watchface.
My mom loved it! She lives out of state so I liked the idea of her thinking of me when she checks the time!"

Quilled NotePad/Cell Phone Holder by quillynilly

"Here is my Spring themed item for the May contest, it's my Bloom Floral Note Holder - great for cell phones or business cards also. I had two of these holders left and I've been wanting to create something with them and thought they would be great to use for this month's contest. I painted it a bright aqua color, embellished the front with 3 quilled flowers, added die cut letters for the word Bloom inside, since the flowers are all in bloom right now. The sides and back have been covered with a die cut filigree paper also with flowers and leaves. 

I'm a self taught quiller, for almost 5 years. I sell my quilled delights on etsy and a shop here in town, where I also offer quilling classes. I'm always looking for something new to create, and like everyone else, quilling calms me and I wish there were more time in my days to allow me to pursue my love of paper."

Quilled Floral Maypole by DazzlingDelight

"My Spring theme contest entry. I was brainstorming trying to come up with an idea for this month's entry and I was thinking about all the things that happen in May (Mother's Day, my mom's birthday, my wedding anniversary, Memorial Day....I could go on and on). And then it hit me! The Maypole! I've always been fascinated with the Maypole dancing and the intricate weaving that happens during the dance. I could love, at some point in my life to participate in one of these ceremonies. I'll keep my fingers crossed! 

I decorated the pole and the top with gold quilling paper. The flower wreath has roses and fringed flowers of all colors accented with a few green leaves. It is made entirely with paper and glue and lots of love and some tears and a few melt-downs!"