© Paper + Craft, Chronicle Books
© Famille Summerbelle
© Suzy Taylor
Making Paper cuts
Above, from top: House, by Suzy Taylor; Julie Marabelle’s map of London; Animal Cupholders by Paper + Craft
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www.makingmagazine.com
‘My fear is the drawing stage when you just have the white paper and so I begin by sketching rough ideas and then work fluidly never drawing the whole thing out at once. I have an idea and I add to this over time with more detail, being careful that it is all joined together. Think of it like a stained glass window with the paper as the leading and you are cutting away the negative space.’ Suzy first picked up a scalpel just a little over two years ago and taught herself with a small piece of origami paper. Paper cutting is a craft that Suzy can undertake in a small area of her home without all the mess: ‘Paper cutting is so portable and it’s not dirty so I am able to do it when I want to.’ If you’re starting out, she recommends: ‘Get a good self-healing cutting mat and a scalpel with a very firm blade, I use one by Xcelite. Also, don’t choose really thick paper, it will kill your hands. Instead, go for thin poster paper which can be coloured on one side with a white reverse to draw on.’ The beauty of paper is manifold but French designer Julie Marabelle of Famille Summerbelle explains: ‘I love the fact that it is so fragile, so delicate to cut and yet one can sit on paper, for example Molo Design or even wear it (Hussein Chalayan’s Air Mail Dress).’ Julie’s hand-cut maps of London, Paris and New York are proving to be best sellers and it was these that she says have been her favourite pieces to work on.
‘I get really excited if I find some new interesting sheet of paper, my first reaction is to cut it into strips and start making the shapes’ Paper cutting is just one of many things that you can do with paper, as Minhee Cho will tell you. New York-based Minhee has loved paper since she was a child and set up Paper + Cup eight years ago with husband Truman to produce and sell high end paper goods including bespoke letterpress invitations and screen printed journals. Their unique and vintageinspired look has been particularly well-received by those who are looking for show-stopping wedding stationery and has been noted by titles such as Martha Stewart Wedding and The New York Times. Their first book, Paper + Craft, was published last year and showcases 25 paper projects with step-by-step instructions so that even those who are new to paper craft can open the book and find something that is suitable for their level (or lack) of expertise. Minhee says: ‘My husband and I love paper and we thought it’d be fun to think of ideas on how it can be used for many different uses – whether for decorating, gifting or just to have fun with your child. This was the inspiration for our book.’ Yulia Brodskaya, like Elsa Mora, is featured in Paper Cutting – Contemporary Artists, Timeless Crafts, and has an international reputation for her vibrant 3D paper illustration undertaking prestigious commissions for