The Paper Decorator

by Kerry Skinner

Book Overview

The first part of the book explores the characteristics of different types of paper and card, and presents sequences showing the production of handmade paper, papier mache and mould boxes for casting. This is followed by an explanation of all the tools and equipment needed for crafting with paper, together with techniques used for decorating the paper surface itself; these include dyeing, gilding, stencilling and stamping. Through the 24 projects...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0715309579
• ISBN13: 9780715309575
• Release Date: January 2000
• Publisher: David & Charles
• Length: 144 Pages
• Weight: 1.76 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Fantastic sofisticated looking projects!

I haven't had a chance to by this book yet, but I did get to skim through it at my local big box of a book store (and it cost a lot more!). The projects were very contemporary, easy, and surprisingly you would be able to find the materials with no problem. A very go read, especially if you are trying to decorate on a shoestring budget.

Create beautiful and sophiticated items for your home

This is an awesome book that shows you how to create sophisticated items for your every room in your home with easy-to-find materials. A wide variety of techniques in paper arts and crafts present endless decorating possibilities. The instructions are easy-to-follow and step-by-step including photos demonstrating each technique. Though some projects are time-consuming and require some patience, they are not necessarily hard to create. The book starts out by showing you how to create your own paper, including making a mold and deckle. It then guides you through the essentials of paper mache including layering paper, pulp casting and relief formation. Several paper decoration techniques follow, including waxing, dyeing, using a latex resist, bleaching, stamping, stenciling, decoupage, collage and gilding. Over 20 full projects follow, and they provide ideas for many more. My favorites include the flower screen, music floorcloth and modern looking coffee table made of cardboard. Other cool projects include collage wallpaper, an exquisite checkered table top, a leaf blind, herb pot, an embossed drawer unit, paneled lampshades and a mosaic window border. There are also some very helpful hints and tips as well as a nice resource guide in the back. Even if you don't particularly like the style or theme of something this book will give you the basics of the projects and you can let your creativity flow. With so many different ideas, this book is nothing if not inspirational.

Beautiful presentation!

I really liked the projects/photos in this book. I'm a collage artist and I found a lot of interesting and inspiring projects nicely photographed. If you like to make your house into a work of art, this is the perfect book. If you are a mixed-media artist who likes books like Making Journals by Hand and Sophisticated Surfaces, you'll like this book. Sometimes I use books more for pictorial inspiration than for the actual projects in the book and that is the case here. However, in this case, I might actually try some of the projects, especially the collage wallpaper. She gives basic info on papermaking and paper mache, and the projects include a floorcloth, a stitched patchwork wall hanging, an embossed drawer unit, and a screen that would be beautiful if made with your own handmade paper. I have an area in my personal library for decorating books and a separate area for collage/decoupage books and this one is kept in the collage section. You won't be disappointed in this book. :)