Playing with Paper: Illuminating, Engineering, and Reimagining Paper Art

by Helen Hiebert

Explore the world of paper crafts with this inspiring book! This guide begins with a section that covers everything about paper, including cool tools, folding and cutting basics, and fasteners and glues. The next section is filled with 20 fun-filled projects, - One-sheet books - Lampshades - Clothing - Accessories - Hot air balloons - Origami You’ll also find an extensive gallery of artists whose work relates to and expands upon each project. Take a page from this creative guide and start Playing with Paper !

Genres: Art, Crafts, Nonfiction

145 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Helen Hiebert constructs installations, sculptures, films and artist books using handmade paper as her primary medium. She teaches, lectures and exhibits her work internationally, and she is the author of the books Playing With Paper, Papermaking with Plants, The Papermaker's Companion, and Paper Illuminated. She is the vice president of the International Association of Hand Papermakers and Paper Artists and a regular contributor to Hand Papermaking Newsletter. She lives and works in Colorado. Visit her website: http://www.helenhiebertstudio.com

Reviews

[Emily Marks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helen Heibert is a paper maker, designer, teacher and artist extraordinaire. She also authors books about making paper by hand, making paper lamps and paper design.

Her latest book, Playing with Paper, published by Quarry Books in 2013, combines sculptural paper techniques with specific projects. The first chapter details all the tools and techniques needed to make many different objects---cutting, scoring, folding, weaving and the like.

The second chapter gives lucid, colorful descriptions of 18 different projects, including window stars, a piece of cake, a piano hinge photo album, a folding screen, a table runner, an inflatable ball, a paper hot air balloon, a reusable book cover, four foldable one-sheet books, party lights, a nightlight cover, a diagonal pocket cover, a kite and an expanding file folder book. These projects are elegant but easily made. I found myself thinking that a sensible child who can handle scissors, glue and precise folds would enjoy them. Helpful templates are placed in the back of the book.

Chapter three contains an extensive gallery of a paper designs, each more astonishing than the next. Many artists are featured, some from abroad as well as in the US. Although these designs are not easily made, they show what can be done with the craft by devoted artists and serve as inspiration to the amateur.

I recommend this book highly and eagerly await Heibert’s next foray into the paper world.

[liberal sprinkles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had fun reading this book and trying out some of the projects. The title is apt for this is a 100% craft book with lots of ideas for playing with paper. There is a useful introduction with information on papers, tools and materials, as well as instructions for basic techniques like folding accordions, setting eyelets, as well as creating textures, 3D effects and simple sculptures by folding and cutting.

There are 18 projects with clear tutorials that teach the reader how to fold, cut and otherwise manipulate paper to create a variety of decorative things. Among them: ornaments, a mobile, ring, photo album, woven table runner, kite, balloon, book cover and books. Some templates are also included at the back of the book.

I'm not new to papercrafting but I think the tutorials are easy to follow and most don't require advanced skills, except perhaps some practice for more accurate paper cutting. A gallery of paper art showcases a variety of works including sculptures, installations, paintings, books, paper clothes and other interesting objects. There is plenty to admire and inspiration to be drawn for those who would like to go beyond paper crafting.

[Lydia Kass · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book with some templates to work with at the back.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I borrowed this lovely book from my public library. Its sewn binding makes it easy to stay open which will be important if you try any of the 18 paper craft projects Hiebert includes here. A solid introduction to paper and paper craft tools is followed by instructions for decorative and useful paper items: a sturdy book cover, transparent window stars, a nightlight cover, even a hot air balloon! At my age, I'm far more comfortable folding paper than cutting it, so I probably won't be attempting many of these projects. I don't even like to use glue much, I've become so enamored of origami (No cuts! No glue!) But as a former bookbinder and current older folder, I appreciated the inclusion of directions for making one of Heidi Kyle's "Diagonal Pocket File," a notebook sewn into an origami-style folded wraparound cover. I'm happy to have discovered Hiebert (she's a papermaker) and I predict I will be ordering paper from her shop in the future, whether I use her patterns or not. The book mainly uses photos as learning aids, not many diagrams, which I usually find easier to use. Her text instructions are clear and templates for some of the projects are included for copying. A gallery section pays homage to contemporary paper artists. A well-produced craft book that's also a coffee table art book.

[Mills College Library]

745.54 H6332 2013

[Kel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing art; especially the professional designs showcased at the end of the book.

[Sharon Wildwind · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the range of paper projects presented in this book. For anyone who thinks paper is just for cards and books, think again. It's also for lanterns, flowers, pop-up castles, and table runners.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful projects for papercraft enthusiasts.

[Electric · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is SUCH an inspiring book with great projects that I can't wait to try! Any paper artist should read this book.

[Sally]

Borrowed MPL 3/22
Also available on Libby

Some lovely projects.
I might want to reference
- Window Stars
- Pop-up pamphlet & Dos-A-Dos [underwhelming]
- Diagonal Pocket Folder - fun