Kundan embroidery jhumka ;)

Hello All,

I have to start with, I am feeling mighty please with myself! :D Yesterday night was an unusually happy night where a pretty risky experiment paid off!

When I had a phone conversation with my supplier and a very dear friend Neha, of A-One Craft Supply about buying some half pearls, I am sure she wondered if I was right in the head! Asking for half pearls THAT small is kind of insane! ;) But she persisted, hunted them down and bought me the most marvellously useful craft supply........Neha, I owe you a zillion for this one :)

I have to thank my clients who don't even blink at allowing me to experiment wildly with various materials and processes :)

So, here goes, yesterday's R&D result..........a kundan embroidery look jhumka

The first trial is shown here (which didn't turn out great but then, if you do enough work, you'll eventually get there :D)

Thanks Ketaki and A-One Craft Supply, for making these possible :)

Happy Quilling

Pritesh

PS: If my posts inspire you to create something on similar lines, I feel highly flattered. But please, do respect the effort I take in conceptualizing and executing, please give a direct link to my work when you are inspired by mine. Thanks for understanding........:-)

A simple wall clock

Hello All,

A very quick post to write about a very simple quilling + punch craft clock I literally pulled out of the hat! :D It was too short a notice for me to do anything more elaborate :) Feedback welcome........

Happy Quilling

Pritesh

PS: If my posts inspire you to create something on similar lines, I feel highly flattered. But please, do respect the effort I take in conceptualizing and executing, please give a direct link to my work when you are inspired by mine. Thanks for understanding........:-)

"Pretty Quilled Cards" - A book review

Hello All,

Anyone who has seen Cecelia Louie's work (on her blog) will probably use these words to describe it: Simple, Airy, Uncomplicated, Effective.......

Thank Heavens, she decided to share her genius with all of us, through her amazing book - Pretty Quilled Cards - 25+ Creative Designs for Greetings and Celebrations.

When asked to review the book, I have to confess, I felt highly flattered. When the book landed in my hands, it was like talking to Cecelia, almost like seeing her working in front of my eyes.

Now, over to the book......

The book opens with a very elaborate introduction to the tools and techniques in quilling. In a typical Cecelia style, the descriptions are elaborate and lucid. She goes on to describe the various techniques, with clear illustrated images. Everything about her works spells simplicity, down to her gluing techniques. Her ingenuity at using simplest of things as quilling tools shines right through! What struck me was that she has "named" techniques which most of us just "do". Nomenclature of techniques definitely did appeal greatly to the scientist in me! :D

All projects start with a crisp list of components, precise instructions as to how to use those and where. These are followed by images of how to put them together AND a template for the card background. It truly can't get any simpler than that.

The cards are so well illustrated that even I could follow the instructions. Though there are 25+ projects described in the book, I absolutely fell head over heels in love with the wine-glass charms and cupcake toppers.

Anyone looking to make cards using quilling and simplest (yet, most effective) ideas, this book is an absolute must-have. And Cecelia, I hope you realize that you've penned a classic, as far as quilling books are concerned :) Thank you for giving me this opportunity to review your book, It's an honour beyond all honours :)

Happy Quilling

Pritesh 

Off-beat...........bead soutache again :)

Hello All,

When I saw Lulupu Craft Lounge's second B'day challenge notification, I so knew I had to participate. Not being a card-maker, I am more or less away from challenges as most involve cards. Add to that the inability to meet deadlines due to personal commitments and we have a recipe for non-participation in time-bound challenges! BUt this time, Lulupu has made it easier for us all. The challenge was to create something with the alphabets L, U, P, T, C. A minimum of three had to be incorporated. So, here is my take on it:

L - Layers (layers of paper used to make the 'base' for the soutache jewellery)
P - Paper (use for making the backing according to this method) and Pearl (flat back pearls used in the centre)
T - Thread (used to hold the beads together while arranging the beads)
C - Concentric circles (of beads in the jewellery)

I hope I qualify with this piece in Category 3 (everything else) :)

Happy Quilling

 Pritesh

 PS: If my posts inspire you to create something on similar lines, I feel highly flattered. But please, do respect the effort I take in conceptualizing and executing, please give a direct link to my work when you are inspired by mine. Thanks for understanding........:-)

Double tier carved jhumka

Hello All,

A quick post to show you the versatility of the "carved" finish jhumka (you can see how you can make it here). The carving effect has been extended to both the domes :)

Happy Quilling

Pritesh

PS: If my posts inspire you to create something on similar lines, I feel highly flattered. But please, do respect the effort I take in conceptualizing and executing, please give a direct link to my work when you are inspired by mine. Thanks for understanding........:-)

Carving effect on quilled jhumkas

Hello All,

If you ever have been to the Fourvière Basilica, this pair of earrings will immediately transport you to the golden and intricate interior of the church! Making this type of jhumka was an idea planted by Ketaki and it kept swirling in my head until I had it executed, the way she had visualized it :)

Hope I have done well Ketaki :)

Making it is not really difficult. You just need to make a regular paper dome, the usual jhumka grind and then, use 3D outliners (I lean towards Fevicryl, you can choose your preference) to draw an abstract (or structured, whichever you prefer) pattern The key is to let it dry completely before you go to the next step......agreed, it can be a bit tricky to make the patterns on a 3-dimensional structure, but hey, the end result will totally justify the effort :)

Now comes the slightly difficult (or rather, tricky) part. Taking a really fine tip painting brush (synthetic bristle brush, preferably), line the outer edges with gold to make this beauty possible :)

Happy Quilling

Pritesh

PS: If my posts inspire you to create something on similar lines, I feel highly flattered. But please, do respect the effort I take in conceptualizing and executing, please give a direct link to my work when you are inspired by mine. Thanks for understanding........:-)