Quilled Torso, Jewelry, Shoe, and Handbag - Licia Politis

Remember Licia Politis's incredible quilled chess set? She's done it again... this time designing a fantastical fashion statement. Licia's retro theme grabs attention because of its unexpected appeal, plus her excellent workmanship makes it hard to believe the piece is composed of rolled paper!
What inspired you to create If the Shoe Fits, Wear It?
I envisioned a contemporary art piece of repetitive patterns and colours in which the patterns were tessellated... for example, the flowers in the bodice of the torso, the checkerboard patterning of the handbag, as well as the base of the piece. I was inspired by Japanese artist, Yayoi Kusama, who works with a myriad of patterns, circles, and dots. I also wanted a practical piece, showing the aesthetic appeal of paper.
What was the most difficult part?
I found the colour scheme and patterns were the hardest to coordinate. I wanted all of the pieces... the torso, necklace, brooch, ring, earrings, stiletto shoe, and handbag to each be different, yet tied together, by the black, pink, and ivory colours.Tell us about the competitions into which you've entered If the Shoe Fits, Wear It.
I submitted the piece to the 2009 Sydney [Australia] Royal Easter Show. It was awarded 1st place in the "Any Other Quilled Item" category and was selected to go into the Showcase of Excellence during the two week run of the show.

I also sent it to the English Quilling Guild's annual competition which was held in Kent on 19th September 2009. The piece was awarded a 1st prize in the Master's Category.How much time did you spend on construction?
The whole piece took two months of all my spare time to complete. The base has a total of 1,120 one inch tight roll cylinders in the black checkerboard pattern... this part took eight hours just to roll. The torso is about 10 inches in height and the base that supports it is 10 inches x 14 inches. The tiny shoe is actually a ring holder, and the handbag, which opens, is the brooch holder. Funny story... I made an 11th hour decision while on the way to Sydney to deliver the piece. Believe it or not, I stopped at a McDonald's to add the soft pink dots outlined in gold to the centres of each of the ivory crimped beads on the ring, earrings, and brooch. I think it was an improvement, as all the rest of the piece had pink on it somewhere. Occasionally last minute changes really do wind up for the best!torso in progress
I'm already looking forward to your next project... any ideas as to where your talent will take you next?
I have so many things I would love to quill. It's just a matter of finding the time... an installation, more paper beads, as well as continuing to develop the vortex coil.Be on the lookout for a post in the near future [here it is: quilling Q and A] in which Licia answers my questions about the actual construction of the piece, including the nifty ivory and black edging technique.