Somehow we've already reached the time of year to think about decorating for Christmas. Because one of my favorite things to do each season is hang paper ornaments on the tree, as well as make some of my own as present toppers, I always enjoy a good Etsy browse to see what's new. Have a look at what I found this year (trend hint... honeycomb ornaments in all shapes and sizes).  

With so many gorgeous flowers in the world, it's tempting to create a crepe paper version of each one. A book that has just been released today, The New Art of Paper Flowers by Quynh Nguyen, is a 272 page beauty! I'm pretty certain that many of the thirty crepe paper choices aren't ones you've seen in other flower making books. For example, Night Blooming Cereus, Snowberry Twig, and Italian Butterfly Ranunculus might not be household names, yet they are lovely.

Truth be told, I had real trouble settling down to write today's post... it's Election Day here in the U.S., but I suppose you know that... the whole world is watching, after all. But luckily I know exactly what to feature to take our minds off the potential results. The creativity that transpired at the 2024 Paper on Skin competition in Tasmania reminds us that goodness and ingenuity will always prevail on this planet despite the agitators and detractors.     Paper, Pattern, Dress (after Junon) , Prue Corlette (AUS), Paper as Textile Award

The 2024 Lucca Biennale Cartasia in Italy has ended, but that doesn't mean it is too late to introduce another one of the resident artists whose work was recognized there. I first featured Joanathan Bessaci in August, and have him to thank for alerting me to Chantal Maiorano . I know you'll enjoy seeing the remarkable art she creates and getting to know her through reflective thoughts about choosing paper as her medium of choice.  

While I absolutely admire each piece of origami jewelry that Jurate Grossman creates, it was the eye-catching photography and stylish packaging that first drew me in when I came upon her Instagram feed. And then I read the story she relates about what prompted her to launch an origami jewelry line and knew that I would feature her in the Artist Spotlight.

As more and more crafters are drawn in by the beauty and satisfaction of making crepe paper flowers, new books on the topic come along quite often. The latest one is lovely: Simple Paper Flowers from GMC Publications. It will be released on Thursday, October 17 in the UK and will arrive on this side of the pond on February 4, 2025.