During October, fiber artist, Susan Kristoferson, has an exhibition of collages of floral bouquets on the main floor of the Central library. They are composed of the beautiful papers that she makes in her home studio. Her collages reminded me of the wonderful biography of Mary Delany whose work is now housed in the British Museum.
Susan specializes in itajime paper made by a fold-and-dye technique traditional to Japan and painted paste papers. These are contemporary versions of papers used by 17th Century European bookbinders. Last month, she led the altered book workshop at Central. If you missed it here, you still have time to catch it at the branches.
Our collection contains a wide selection of books on paper making and paper crafts and I am blown away by the many lovely and inventive things that can be created with paper.
I first met Susan several years ago when she was a featured artist on the Triangle Gallery’s (now MO
CA) House + Studio Tour and bought a pair of her earrings.
If you want to try your hand at creating paper jewelry, here are two books to inspire you.
Handmade Paper Jewelry includes a locket covered in fancy gift-wrap paper which encloses tiny photos. Glass beads and a decorative toggle closure enhance the necklace (p. 38).
Creative Paper Jewelry demonstrates the creation of pulp paper beads that are combined with cords, chains and ribbons to make charming and fanciful pieces.
- Jane