| One glance at a paper quilling project and | | | | A related shape that is also very popular is |
| you might decide it's all a little too | | | | the loose coil. Instead of pulling the paper |
| complex for you. This is particularly true if | | | | tightly into a coil shape, with this |
| you've never delved into the world of crafts | | | | technique you allow it to be looser. The |
| before. Fortunately paper quilling is | | | | result is a lovely shaped coil that can used |
| actually fairly basic and you don't really | | | | in all kinds of projects including flower |
| need any skills at all. This is a fun project | | | | images and even hot air balloon pictures. |
| that anyone, of any age can do and with just | | | | |
| a few simple instructions and tools you are | | | | Once you've got these two basic techniques |
| well on your way. | | | | mastered, graduate to something a bit more |
| | | | challenging. The teardrop shape is a |
| When you are first learning how to do | | | | variation of the loose coil. Before you glue |
| quilling with paper, it's important to get a | | | | the loose coil into place, pinch one end of |
| grasp on the basic shapes that many patterns | | | | it between two fingers. Then apply the glue |
| call for. One of these rudimentary designs is | | | | to the pinched portion of the coil. Voila - |
| the tight coil. This is exactly as it sounds | | | | you've just created an elegant teardrop. |
| and involves taking a strip of paper and | | | | |
| rolling it into a tight shape. The easiest | | | | For someone just learning the basics of how |
| and most effective way to do this is with a | | | | to do quilling with paper, these three |
| special slotted tool. These are incredibly | | | | techniques are a great way to start. You'll |
| inexpensive and can be picked up at any craft | | | | soon discover what other quillers have known |
| retailer. You'll soon discover how invaluable | | | | for years; this is an easy and fun way to |
| it is to have one of these on hand when you | | | | create handmade crafts that others can enjoy |
| start any new quilling project. | | | | for years. |
| | | | |
| It's really important to guide the paper | | | | Before long you'll be creating even more |
| strip as you are coiling it. This is easy to | | | | shapes and utilizing one of the many quilling |
| do and just involves making certain the edges | | | | patterns that are available. The sky is the |
| line up. Once the tight coil is completed all | | | | limit when it comes to this paper craft so |
| that is required is a spot of glue and you've | | | | let your imagination and creativity by your |
| completed your first quilling shape. | | | | guide. |
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