I’ve tried quilling once before, when I bought & reviewed the “Twirled Paper” kit by Klutz Publications. However, when I was at CHA in Anaheim (2010) I was blown away by the display at the Quilled Creations booth. Take a peek:
I opened this cute purple box and was really happy with the tools inside. You get:
- Slotted quilling tool
- Needle quilling tool
- Circle sizer
- Quilling papers
- Elmer’s brand glue
- 2 white tags and 2 card templates
- Instruction book…
- and of course the sturdy 2-sided box to keep your goodies in!
That’s a lot of happiness for just under $30.oo! (And puts it right into the “great gift idea” category!)
So I started with actually READING the instruction book. (I know, I rarely do this…) and decided to make each of the shapes using the instructions provided. First I make a circle using the slotted quilling tool:
I ended up with a circle that looked like this:
Then I tried using the needle tool. There’s no slot to put the paper in, so you have to just get it going and keep it taut:
I, unfortunately, didn’t keep it taut enough…so this circle….um…..
So, I went back to the slotted tool and went through all of the shapes in the instruction book. In no time I was zipping along and feeling like a pro. I made a “sampler” of all of my shapes for easy reference:
So once I got through the basics, I went on to try some of the beginner projects- a flower, a butterfly, and a dragonfly. Here are how they turned out:
Cute, right?? By the way, I used a little of my favorite shimmer spray Radiant Rains on that one in the middle.) I figure these would make the world’s cutest gift tags. And I’m thinking that if I get super-snazzy, I just might try a picture frame, too!
So now for the nitty-gritty…..
PROS:
- This kit is complete- everything you need to get going, and it includes a storage box.
- It’s great to have a set of tweezers in your kit. (I made a puddle of glue on my work-table, and used the tweezers to grasp my quilled piece lightly to dip in the glue, then place on the project.) Quilled paper is delicate, and it’s hard to grasp with bare fingers.
- Good price point, and great for gift-giving.
- Appropriate for ages 8 and up.
- Easy to get started and see good results.
- Instruction book is easy to read & understand
- Builds confidence!
CONS:
- Might not be great for folks with low vision, poor dexterity or arthritis/hand conditions.
(Really, I’m stretching here. Can’t find many “cons!”)
So, all in all, I love my little kit. I think it would be fun to do with my son, and it’s one of those crafts you could take on vacation for rainy days. Since it uses so few tools and just simple white glue, it’s also an inexpensive craft to keep up- no electricity to use, and there are probably books with advanced designs available at your library.
I rate this one: CRAFT-TASTIC!
- Spooky Spider Halloween Bookmark Craft - October 24, 2018
- Review and Demo of LDRS Hybrid Ink Pads - October 15, 2018
- Review and Demo of Nuvo Hybrid Inks - October 1, 2018
- Craft Studio Tour and Organization Ideas - September 20, 2018
- Wax Paper Resist Background Technique - March 20, 2018
- Comparison of Liquid Watercolor Markers/Pens - March 16, 2018
- SAI Japanese Traditional Watercolor Brush Markers- Review & Demo - February 23, 2018
- Rinea Metallic Foil Paper & Ghost Ink Review - February 21, 2018
- Jane Davenport debuts at Creativation 2018 & Watercolor Card - February 13, 2018
- Creativation 2018: New Product Showcase - January 20, 2018
Lisa says
Very cute! I like that you showed the actual twirling process. Would make really neat present tags!
Vicki O'Dell says
You are beginning to scare me. I think you are reading my mind some days. 🙂
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE quilling and have done it for a while now. (Which is saying something considering how often I switch up crafts.) I actually have a quilling class on my calendar for June and one scheduled for a group in September.
This looks like a SUPER starter kit. I’ll have to recommend it to my students! Thanks for the review.
lcmosier says
Love this! I have been quilling (on and off) for about 25 yrs. and this is a great article about it. Thanks!
barbara hopkins says
i love it,i have been trying to teach myself. i do art therapy due to being disabled,but i just can’t spend thiry dollars on a kit,i still have a 12yr. old at home,and disability,these days is way below the poverty line. but, i just keep trying,reading different blogs,i’m hoping to catch on. i haveso many ideas inmy head. thanks though.
barbara
Jenny says
janice says
nice kit
Carissa says
Thanks for reviewing. I recently bought this set and can’t wait to try quilling!!! Hopefully it is as easy as it looks.