Paper Craft Techniques

• Decoupage is the paper craft technique of cutting and pasting paper to any surface to create an image or a pattern. Decoupage paper craft technique is an extremely versatile paper craft technique - it can be used on a variety of surfaces from glass to wood and anything in between. It's a simple process too - just glue (with either diluted white glue or decoupage medium) cut paper to a clean surface. The most difficult part in decoupage paper craft technique is to ensure that your applied paper is smooth. You can use a pin to pop air bubbles and smooth out the paper with your fingers or a soft rag. A final coat of decoupage, glue or acrylic varnish should be used to protect the applied papers. Here's a decoupage project: Decoupage a Decorative Box.
• Weaving is another easy paper craft technique. Weaving is very simple, you can just cut slits in a sheet of paper and weave other strips of paper over and under the slits. Weaving makes a great base for a card for a special someone - or a placemat for a special meal!
• Folding is another paper craft technique. Paper can hold a sharp crease, so it's perfect for folding (but be careful because once you have a crease - you can't get rid of it!) The Japanese art of origami uses folded paper craft techniques to make three-dimensional projects out of paper. Folding is an easy way to make unique paper crafts.
• Stitching or sewing is another great paper craft technique. By using a machine or hand-stitching you can join paper the way you'd join pieces of fabric. It adds a whole new dimension to the world of paper craft techniques. There are even small paper sewing machines on the market to use with your paper crafts.
• Cutting and tearing are easy paper craft techniques. Cutting is obvious - cutting paper has been around for a LONG time. You can cut paper with sharp scissors or a paper cutter. Using scissors will give you a straight edge. You can make a softer edge on your papers by tearing.
• Piercing is yet another paper craft technique. Piercing simply means putting holes into paper. There are a ton of punches available online or in craft stores to help you pierce paper wherever you want to. You can also use needles to punch tiny holes in paper. By piercing paper, you can add embellishments since as ribbons, fibers and eyelets, to name a few.
• Paper Mache is another fun paper craft technique. Paper mache can be quite messy, but it's a very creative way to work with paper. Paper mache is defined as the craft of modeling three-dimensional shapes with pasted, torn paper strips. Paper mache is great for creating useful and decorative objects. You can use a variety of bases for paper mache projects - we usually use household items such as bowls, plates, vases, balloons. The basics of paper mache are very easy - you simply tear strips of paper one inch-wide (or smaller depending on your project). Dip your strips one by one in a mixture of half glue, half water. Wipe off the excess glue and place them on your chosen base. When you've covered your base with a good layer of papers, let it dry. When the project is dry, simply remove it from the base. Easy, right? Even kids can enjoy paper mache!