Paper Quilling

Image by tofutti break via Flickr

Paper Quilling* is a type of art done in Colonial times and it is a fun project that can be done with students of various ages. One tip would be to use wider paper strips for the younger kids.
Materials:
6"x9" black background paper w/ yarn attached for hanging.
1/2" strips of colored paper
pen to wrap paper around (pencils can leave ridges?)
glue

First I showed paper quill examples that I'd found on the internet. Then I created some example quills, and I drew on the board some examples of the designs the students could make by wrapping their paper around their pens.

Students were told they could make a random design, or an actual subject with their quills.

I also explained the importance of wrapping the paper "on top of itself".If they wrapped the paper NOT on top of itself, they would end up with an uneven quill that would be difficult to glue onto the background paper.

This one, below, is too uneven for gluing.
As a time management tip, I told the students they would have 20 minutes for quilling and 13 minutes for gluing. I didn't pass out the glue until after the first 20 minutes, then I collected the paper strips and students glued down the quills they'd made.

(This one above, reminds me of Matisse's "Jazz" art...I love it!)

Thank you Flamson Middle School students!!

*Hey, one of my readers just shared her website on quilling - it's fabulous - tons of inspiring designs and projects. You can visit her website here and her blog here. Thanks Whimsiquills!