Serpentine Quilling Tutorial

Longtime readers of this blog may remember Australian quiller Licia Politis and her award-winning designs. She recently told me about the August meeting of the Sydney Quillers during which the group learned about the serpentine quilling technique thanks to instructor and member, Betty Gollan. 

 

 

While I was familiar with the look of serpentine quilling, I had never tried it myself, nor was I sure how best to do this intriguing technique that uses bundled paper strips to create a uniform, curving design. Googling instructions and checking YouTube didn't bring up much information, so Licia, who assisted Betty at the meeting, shares the process with us. She has been avidly making serpentine earrings and necklaces this summer (winter for Licia), and the photos shown are her examples unless otherwise noted. 

 

 

 

Searching online for serpentine quilling brought up a mention by the UK's Quilling Guild on its Terminology Sheet where it is listed as a technique that is considered traditional, historical, and used in antique quilling. Additionally, the serpentine technique was described in an issue of  the Guild's newsletter as a meandering river. It has roots in the bandaging technique, which is a bundle of strips that is wrapped diagonally with a single strip, glued at each end, and then glued on edge.

 

 

It's safe to say Licia is modernizing serpentine quilling via her bold jewelry designs.

SERPENTINE QUILLING TECHNIQUES

 

"The following instruction detail how I make collared serpentine beads to create earrings and necklaces. (Note: I use the term bead for my serpentine shapes.) A collar gives strength, durability, as well as a stable edge that allows the beads to be connected to one another. 

 

 

COLLARED SERPENTINE TECHNIQUE

 

Use several strips; the number depends how thick you want the serpentine to look. Here I'm using six 3mm (1/8") strips x 3mm x 30cms (11.8") length for each earring.

 

 

 

Glue one end of the five strips, staggering each one a tiny bit to create a beveled edge. I pinch the ends with a small pair of pliers. This helps the glue to hold so I can begin wrapping the strip on the plastic pin board right away. (pin board - Amazon affiliate link) Alternatively, and depending on the type of glue used, you may need to set the bundle aside and wait for it to dry. 

 

Position the pins evenly on the pin board

 

Starting with the beveled edge, create a loop by gluing the end. This loop will go around the first pin to give stability and act as an anchor.

 

Weave the 6-strip bundle in and out around the pins until you reach the last pin.

 

Trim the ends to create a beveled edge as for the strip beginning, gluing each end in place. Then glue the end securely.

 

TIP: The beveled edge that starts the serpentine always seems to look a lot neater than the one that finishes off the bead. The last one is the most tedious as the paper must be cut in small increments. Good lighting is essential!

 

Use a single strip to make the collar, applying a dab of glue on the outer loop of every pin, giving some pressure to secure at each point on the outer edge of the bead.

Continue wrapping until the entire strip has been glued securely.

Remove the bead from the pins.

An example of a completed collared serpentine ready to be removed from the pin board.

 

NON-COLLARED SERPENTINE TECHNIQUE

 

The non-collared technique can be very useful for borders and repeat pattern work. It was also used to make these hair clips. 

 

 

The top hair clip was made by Sydney Quilling Group member, Gracy Lina Prestin.

The bottom three were made by member Maria Faraone. 

 

 

Create a serpentine as for the collared method, but do not remove it from the pin board until one strip of quilling paper is glued along the center. This strip must be glued securely before attempting to remove the serpentine from the pin board. The glued strip allows the serpentine to be applied to the edge of a design, such as the corner of a box or attached to a hair clip. 

 

 

More than one strip can be glued for extra stability, as shown in this glued example.

 

I was inspired by Elizabeth Ashdown on Instagram (@ashdowntextiles) who weaves using the passementerie technique. Passementerie is the art of elaborate trimmings, edgings, braid and cords. I love a challenge and so to create a bit of interest to the serpentine beads, my thinking was to use 3mm (1/8") paper strips and weave them through the curves.

PASSEMENTERIE-INSPIRED QUILLED EARRING TECHNIQUE

 

Start to weave a 3mm (1/8") x 10cm (4") strip in any colour you like through the full length of a collared serpentine bead. Leave 2cms (3/4") free at the beginning and the end.

Using a second 3mm (1/8") x 10cm (4") strip, weave it through the alternate serpentine loops and complete the full length.

Using a third strip, weave it through the serpentine, as you did with the first strip.

 

Cut off the loose ends, giving enough room to be able to discreetly turn and glue the cut ends to the inside of the collar.

 

 

HINTS, TIPS and OTHER WAYS TO CREATE INTEREST WITH THE SERPENTINE TECHNIQUE

 

Use different coloured strips in each bundle.

To create a thicker serpentine, use more quilling strips in each bundle. Use up to ten strips.

 

When making thicker serpentines, add the pins as you work as it is a tight fit.

Wrap the collar using a different colour.

Use wider strips to make a serpentine, as done with the green necklace.

 

Experiment placing your pins in different widths/positions on the pin board to create wider, longer, shorter or squarer completed bead sizes.

 

Add in other quilling shapes between the serpentines. For example, tight coils, tiny folded roses, or fringed flowers."

 

Licia is on Instagram, @paper_to_jewellery. Don't miss viewing her winning project at the most recent Sydney Royal Easter Show, Paper Garden of the Sea.

 

You'll find the Sydney Quillers Group on Facebook and Instagram.