Feb. 25
NOW AND THEN: Paper Crafts
By Lynn Byrne. How cool are these dresses! They are constructed of paper! I spotted them in the window of an Anthropologie store.
Earlier that weekend, I stumbled across this display up in Stamford. 
What are those things hanging on the wall in the back of the booth? Turns out they are made of paper. 
Then there was the David Stark pop up paper store at West Elm last spring. Click here to see more of that. 
Paper crafts are having a moment.
Of course, people have been crafting with paper for centuries. It has been traced back to Europe since 1440. Origami, the folding of colored paper, is generally associated with Japan but there is also evidence that it existed in Germany, Spain and China. 
Photo from the California State Univ.website (no photographer credit)
The blog Style Hive posted this collage showing orgami-inspired fashion and home furnishings (note ottoman in bottom left) back in 2007, but in this instance, the paper craft is interpreted with fabric! 
Back in Victorian times, many families decorated their trees with paper ornaments. For instructions on how to make your own, click here.
Photo from Family Christmas Online
Finally, since we are talking about paper crafts, I can’t forget the fabulous Mrs. Delany. She made gorgeous “paper mosaic” botanicals in the late 1700s. Yes, the original artwork of the flower below was made by her from tiny scraps of paper. Click on the link above to read more about Mrs. Delany. The book below is available on Amazon.
Are you ready to get crafty?
Photos not otherwise identified are by Lynn Byrne for Decor Arts Now.
