Paper Quilling for the Creative Kid

Make mosaics from coiled-up paper strips!

Submitted by
GeekMom

The 18th century craft of paper quilling creates mosaic-like decoration from coiled-up paper strips in dozens of shapes. Use them on scrapbook pages, ornaments, and jewelry!

Construction, Magazine, or Recycled Copy Paper
Waxed Paper
White Glue
Flat Toothpick
Cocktail Straw

Cut the paper in long thin strips -- the younger the quiller, the wider the strip. Tear off a placemat-sized square of waxed paper to work on. On one corner squirt a small amount of glue and place the toothpick to dip in it nearby.
Take the cocktail straw and cut a slot in one end as long as the paper strips are wide. Insert the end of a paper strip into the slot. Turn the straw, wrapping the paper strip around it evenly and tightly until it resembles a tiny roll of toilet paper. Carefully slide the roll off the tool and let it spring open.
Leave the unrolled paper as an open spiral, or make a closed coil by dabbing the toothpick into the glue and applying a tiny amount to the loose end of the paper strip. Press in place for a few seconds until set.
When dry, use both hands to pinch the coil into shape. Keep using the cocktail straw quilling tool to make as many shapes as you need for your design. Connect them with little dabs of glue.