Paper, Prizes, and Passion: Celebrating Wendy Verity’s Quilling Artistry
With 30+ ribbons at the Sydney Royal Easter Show, Wendy Verity’s quilled creations are as intricate as her lifelong love of the craft.
I'm delighted to introduce Australian quiller Wendy Verity, whose richly
detailed and award-winning paper artworks reflect the beauty of Australia's native flora
and fauna. With more than four decades of experience, Wendy is a leading figure in the
quilling community, an artist, teacher, and tireless advocate for the craft.
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| Gang-Gang - 1st prize (Standard of Excellence Showcase) Quilled Wall Hanging 2023 Easter Show |
Discovering Quilling
I discovered quilling when I was given a kit containing paper strips, a tool and basic instructions as a birthday gift. I went about teaching myself to quill with bigger intentions than the kit allowed. My curiosity grew as I delved further into the quilling realm by seeking out library books, more supplies and any information I could find. A huge interest developed, and I went on a monumental learning path.
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| Paint Supplies Cloche - 2nd prize Any Quilled Item 2025 Easter Show |
From Hobbyist to Group Leader
That was over 40 years ago when quilling was little-known. Thinking I was not alone in this obscure craft, I sought out interest groups, guilds and competitions to find more people with the same hobby. I subscribed to an Australian Newsletter at the time - Australian Quillers Quarterly (AQQ) and contributed many patterns over the years to the publication. My patterns featured in their first book ‘Practical Quilling’ by Ann Redman.
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| Paint Supplies Cloche, side view - 2nd prize Any Quilled Item 2025 Easter Show |
It was through AQQ that I was made aware of the English Quilling Guild of which I am now the Australian Representative. In 2018 I became an Accredited Member of the Quilling Guild and am a regular, keen contributor to their magazine Quillers Today.
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| English Quilling Guild accreditation piece 2018 |
It was also through AQQ that I found other Sydney-based quillers and formed the Sydney Quillers Group (SQG). In April 1996, a picnic in the park started what is now a thriving interest group. The group has grown from four people, (over the years numbers fluctuated, during Covid numbers dwindled!) to currently twenty five regular members. SQG numbers are on the increase thanks to a dedicated team of quillers demonstrating at Arts and Crafts Shows across the Sydney region.
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| Gown with quilled bodice - display prop for Arts and Crafts shows |
2021 marked the SQG’s 25 Anniversary. I co-authored with fellow member Licia Politis [featured previously], a commemorative Pattern Book full of patterns to show the creative diversity of the group’s members. It was another way I could be creative during Covid lockdown- a self-published book.
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| Garden Covered Box - 1st prize (Standard of Excellence Showcase) 1995 Easter Show |
30 Years at the Sydney Royal Easter Show
The Sydney Royal Easter Show, an iconic agricultural show in Australia, holds arts and crafts competitions annually that I first entered in 1995. My entry ”Garden Covered Box” won 1st prize and was displayed in the Standard of Excellence showcase. Not bad for a first timer!
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| Gang-Gang with award ribbons |
Over the years I have won awards at various arts and crafts shows, but the Sydney Royal is considered the most prestigious in Australia. In my 30-year Easter Show “career” I have been awarded eighteen 1st prizes, seven being in the Standard of Excellence showcase, fourteen 2nd prizes, five 3rd prizes and thirteen Highly Commended ribbons.
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| Portrait of Bill - 1st prize On Edge Quilling 2025 Easter Show |
At this year's (2025) Sydney Royal Easter Show I won 1st prize for “Portrait of Bill” a heartfelt tribute to my late father who loved going to the show with me, 1st prize for “Soils of Boab Country” and a 2nd prize for “Paint Supplies Cloche." All of them feature very different styles of quilling.
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| Soils of Boab Country - 1st prize Quilled Wall Hanging 2025 Easter Show |
Most of my works are one-off, unique pieces that I see as a personal challenge to create. “Insect Study” 2023 an on-edge style piece was a particularly arduous body of work. Sourcing and cutting my own quilling strips when particular colours were required factored into its difficulty.
It sold at show and generated a commission from an admirer who missed out. The commission turned out to look very different from the original as I was given full artistic reign. The piece had no rules to abide by so artistic licence prevailed, proving that no two pieces are the same.
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| Insect Study - Commission 2023 |
Flora, Fauna, and Faraway Travels
Alongside my passion for quilling, I love travelling both overseas and within Australia. The Australian Outback, its flora and fauna, has been the inspiration for my recent works. “Gang Gang” and “Kookaburra” both achieved 1st prize and Standard of Excellence Award in 2023 and 2024.
Always on the lookout for the next subject matter, my travels have taken me to some adventurous locations, far and wide, from Alaska to Morocco and onto outback Australia including crossing the Simpson Desert by 4wd twice.
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| Kookaburra - 1st prize (Standard of Excellence Showcase) On Edge Quilling 2024 Easter Show |
Display and Community
I am kept busy with the Sydney Quillers Group having a resurgence and moderating the group's social media. Along with the committee, I conduct four meetings a year with different techniques being a focus at each.
With my Interior Design and Art background, I create display spaces at Art and Craft shows before even starting on the quilling!
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| Paper show display 2024 |
I am a dedicated quilling advocate and always keen to teach anyone who would like to try the ancient craft of quilling.
You can follow Wendy on Instagram (@verity_wendy) and Facebook (wendy.verity1).
Be sure to visit Sydney Quillers on Instagram and/or Sydney Quillers Group on Facebook.
Images courtesy of Wendy Verity and used with permission. All rights reserved.
