Flagler County Art League -Blank

Paper Magic - Tea Bag Folding

PAPER MAGIC - Week 1 - Basic Tea Bag Folding
Tea Bag Folding is a kaleidoscopic form of origami. Over the last 20 years or so it has
developed into a very interesting decorative craft for note cards and gift items. With the
popularity of crafts and the many tools and supplies available for paper crafting, tea bag
folding has gained in its usefulness for crafters as well. It
can be simple (a rosette) or get very complex…depending
on the skill of the crafter. It gets its name from the lady
who supposedly started it all with tea bag wrappers. It
now has a line of papers devoted to just its use.
Choosing colors and patterns wisely is all-important in the
overall success. In the first week’s class, we will make
several rosettes (folding patterns will vary) and perhaps
use them to embellish note cards. I will be happy to supply
the papers for the first week’s class and hopefully have a
choice that will suit each student. There are some items
you will need to bring.
Supply List: A pair of smallish scissors, a paper-cutter
(if you have it), a bone folder or popsicle stick, and a
small glue stick (looks like a chap stick).
PAPER MAGIC – Week 2 - Basic Iris Folding
An iris folding is so-called because it resembles the iris of the eye. It is often used in card-
making and can be quite interesting and complex-looking. Free-form iris folding can produce
a landscape. It always requires an aperture (window) behind which is constructed the
pattern. Apertures can vary in size and shape. Method of assembly determines the pattern.
The first one I ever saw, I just could not imagine how it was done.
Once again, papers choices are key to the success of the
craft. While I will definitely have some papers to use, it might
be more satisfying to choose your own. You will need about
4 coordinating papers (the thinner scrapbooking papers are
nice) as well as a complementary solid color (card stock is a
good weight). Metallics are nice for this too. There are
several items you will need for this week’s projects.
Supply List: An Xacto Knife, a metal ruler (smallish), a
paper-cutter (if you have it), a bone folder or popsicle stick,
a small glue stick, and some Scotch tape.
PAPER MAGIC – Week 3 - Lace’ or Fold ‘ems
You probably have not seen this technique before, but some
crafters enjoy it. It involves the use of metal templates which
are a little pricey. However, with a little ingenuity paper
templates can be printed and used once. This makes it
particularly easy to vary the sizes. Skill with the Xacto Knife
is very important for this craft. The papers used are thinner
and two-sided. Origami paper is widely used and often comes
with different colors on each side, or a pattern on one side and
a solid on the other. I will be most happy to provide the papers for this first class in Lace’.
You will need the same supplies for this class as with Iris Folding. You will also need a cutting
surface. If you don’t have a self-healing mat, a magazine will do as well.

PAPER MAGIC – Week 4 - Handmade
Cards and Envelops of Your Own Design

This last week will be devoted completely
to making handmade cards from the three
techniques you have learned or other
presentations of the pieces. By now, you
will have learned to select your colors and
papers. You will have also been
introduced to other embellishments for
you craft. You can buy your own plain
note cards and envelopes, but better still
to make your own! You might want to
have a small square frame for your work
or a box to cover and embellish. There
are a lot of possibilities! (I’ll bring
pictures, books and some of my own work
to show.)

Paper Magic for Christmas!

We will concentrate on the Season with cards, gifts, and ornaments! Some will use Tea
Bag Folding, Iris Folding, etc. but others will use more complex forms of cutting, folding
and assembling. A special instructor will be added to show special card-making
procedures and embellishments.