The Complete Book of Papercraft : Over 50 Designs for Handmade Paper, Cards, Gift-Wrapping, Decoupage, and Manipulating Paper

With a wide range of papermaking techniques and over 50 designs for handmade paper, cards, gift-wrapping, decoupage and manipulating paper this book will provide crafters with the ideas and inspiration to get started making paper or crafting with paper. It will appeal to the crafter who wants to both explore a variety of papercraft techniques and learn the basics of papermaking. The clear step by step illustrations for making paper combined with photos and step by step instructions for fun easy to do projects make it a book that crafters will return to time and again.

The Complete Book of Papercraft is unique in combining an introduction to the art of papermaking with other types of papercrafting projects. It starts with a section on creating handmade paper that includes: an illustrated guide to the tools and equipment needed, making a mold and deckle, and a step by step recipe for making the basic pulp mixture. Then it expands on the different types of paper that can be made, giving complete directions for making many kinds of paper including paper made by incorporating natural materials such as rose petal paper, leaf or grass paper and onion skin paper. Next it illustrates how to incorporate other unusual elements in your handmade paper like colored cellophane from candy wrappers, glitter, newspaper, or dyes and paint.

The subsequent chapters cover different uses of paper, both handmade or purchased, to create stationery and gift-wraps, greeting cards and invitations, use in decoupage, and paper manipulating (the art of pleating, weaving, cutting and folding paper). Many projects include some alternative suggestions and ideas for variations, like turning a gift bag into a mini-bag that can be used as a delightful and unusual guest favor and place setting.

From the basics of papermaking to creating different types of handmade paper to the wide range of imaginative paper projects this book will be a handy resource and guide for all papercrafters for years to come. Useful for both the practical instruction provided and the fun, easy-to-make projects included.