Descamps Ghylenn - Beginners Guide to Kirigami

CREATIONS

When my publisher suggested I do a book on kirigami, I literally jumped for joy! Its everything I love beautiful papers, cutting and folding sprinkled with a generous dose of Japanese inspiration. I couldnt wait to get started on some new creations...

But what exactly is kirigami?

Kirigami, from kiru, to cut, and gami, paper, is inspired by one of Chinas oldest traditions, jian zhi, the art of paper cutting. Once reserved for the religious elite for use in rituals, it gradually spread to all levels of society. Jian zhi is still practiced during the Chinese Springtime Festival and New Year celebrations.

Jian zhi eventually made its way to the shores of Japan, where it was enriched by the paper-folding art of origami and evolved into what we now call kirigami.

A new dimension unfolded quite unexpectedly while I was working on my models. As I quietly cut and folded, I became very centered. I felt as though I were taking a quiet stroll down a path that soothed my spirit. It was an interior journey very much like meditation, an opportunity to breathe in a turbulent world.

It is this same Japanese-inspired creative journey that I invite you to experience as you make your way through this book and discover the marvelous art of kirigami.

Breathe, and be inspired by the papers of the Far East...

Ghylenn

ghylenndescamps.com

For a printable PDF of the patterns used in this book, please contact Fox Chapel Publishing at , quoting the ISBN and title of this book, as well as the pattern or patterns required.

Kirigami is a technique that requires only a few basic materials to start: paper, a cutter, and a cutting mat. There are more tools that will make it easier to perfect your skills. Investing in quality materials will help you acquire precision and speed, feel more relaxed, produce work of higher quality, and enjoy the experience so much more!

Here is a list of the materials used to make the projects in this book:

Scalpel, aka craft knife (X-acto-style tool with removable blades), and replacement blades

Cutter, aka utility knife, and replacement blades

Silhouette scissors (small scissors with thin blades and pointy tips)

Scissors

Metal ruler to guide cutter for straight cuts

Cutting mat

Paper-folding tool, aka bone folder, made from bone or plastic, for sharp creases

Embossing stylus for scoring paper before folding

Masking tape for securing the pattern to the paper to be cut without damaging it

Glue gel that wont wrinkle paper

Repositionable spray adhesive

Permanent spray adhesive

HB pencil or mechanical pencil

Clean pencil eraser

Printer

Photocopier

Although the following tools are not essential, they will make the work easier:

White pencil for tracing on dark paper

Compass

Compass circle cutter

Hole punch

Eyelet punch for making small, uniform holes

Tweezers for gently removing cutout pieces of paper

And for pleasure :

Decorative-edge scissors for making original cutouts and edges

Disc cutter with punches in assorted shapes

Sewing or tapestry needles for making very small holes

Paper is the essential element in kirigami! There is a variety of beautiful decorative papers that are sure to inspire you. Its important to choose the right paper, however, because not all of them are easy to cut. The wrong paper can make the work difficult and your project a disaster!

The best paper to start out with is plain, smooth paper with a weight of 120 to 160 g. This type of paper is ideal for kirigami because it holds up well, is easy to cut, and comes in a wide variety of colors. It can also be used in a printer, which simplifies reproducing a pattern.