My Quilling Inspiration
I have always been fascinated by quilling and the intricate look of the rolled paper shapes.
Carol Sotkiewicz was a well known quiller in the Toledo and surrounding areas for many years. She lives on the street I grew up on. When she shared that she was retiring due to carpal tunnel symptoms, I expressed a desire to learn her techniques. She agreed and is now my mentor. The constant flow of ideas through my head naturally led me to combining the two crafts, tatting and quilling. They seem to compliment each other beautifully.
Some History on Quilling
Quilling is an old art like tatting. Paper rolling, paper scrolling, scrolling, filigree, mosaic, and quilling are all names which have been given to this craft during its long history. Some sources suggest that it was practiced in Ancient Egypt. Its popularity has fluctuated. Work of high quality was achieved by French and Italian nuns in the 16th and 17th centuries, genteel ladies in the Stuart period, ladies of leisure in the Georgian and Regency periods and it is currently enjoying a modern revival. It also spread to North Amercia with the settlers. Those of us who quill today, find we have something in common with Elizabeth, daughter of George III, Joseph Bramah (famous locksmith), Mrs. Delany (pioneer of other paperwork and friend of Dean Swift), Jane Austen who mentions it in 'Sense and Sensibility' and the Bronte sisters: quite a distinguished gathering of enthusiasts!
Nuns on the continent decorated reliquaries and holy pictures, adding gilding and much ornamentation. The gilded edges of Bible pages were carefully cut off to acquire the thin strips of paper needed to create the intricate designs. The ecclesiastical connection was maintained when the art spread to England with the development of paper, though vellum and parchment were also used. Poorer churches produced religious pictures with rolled decoration. When gilded or silvered, it was difficult to distinguish it from real gold or silver filigree work.
Many museums have examples of antique work. More pieces are being located all the time and research is continuing. It can be seen that this craft has a long and interesting history. (References taken from various Internet articles)