What Is Quilling?
Quilling or paper filigree is an art form that involves the use of strips of paper that are rolled, shaped, and glued together to create decorative designs. The paper is rolled, looped, curled, pinched, twisted and formed to create shapes which make up designs to decorate greetings cards, pictures, boxes, eggs, and to make models, jewelry, mobiles etc.
HISTORY
During the Renaissance, nuns and monks used quilling to decorate book covers and religious items.
The paper most commonly used was strips of paper salvaged from the gilded edges of books.
These paper strips were then rolled around feather or porcupine quills to create the layered shapes.
In the 18th century, quilling became popular hobby for ladies in Europe.
Quilling also spread to the Americas and there are a few beautiful examples from Colonial times.