Tea Bag Folding (Passion for Paper)

Dec 08

Tea bag folding is the craft of making fantastic papercraft decorations with squares of beautifully decorated paper. In this book, Janet and Tiny combine their talents to produce exquisite and beautiful paper decorations, jewellery and more.

Nov 08

Teabag folding was invented by Tiny one day when she was sitting in a cafe with several decorated packets that had held teabags. Janet brought the craft to the UK, and now many cardmakers have discovered what fun you can have with a series of little square pictures. But any idea needs to grow and change or risk stagnation, and here is a book filled with new ways of folding and combining those squares. Best of all, there are even eight sheets at the back of the book so you can make a start right away.

It is not easy to come up with a new twist on an old idea, but here are several. Not only are there some fancier folds for cards, but also a necklace, hanging decorations, Christmas tree baubles, picture and box decorations, just to name some. The sections are each inspired by a different culture, and these include Ireland, Moorish Spain, Japan, Russia and Lapland. If you have never folded a square in your life, this book might be a little daunting, but it is aimed at those who have tried the basics already and are looking for something new.

The staged photographs are easy to follow, and good results are within the grasp of anybody who is adept at following diagrams. Other popular crafting methods are included, too, such as wirework, metal embossing, paper beads and popup cards. There is even a companion volume to the book entitled Janet and Tiny's Tea Bag Folding Papers (available at Amazon.com US || UK), which has twenty-four sheets of paper, everything used in the book and then some. With a combination of clear diagrams, lovely papers, imaginative projects and a good knowledge of the current craft world, this is a book to treasure-and what a good present it would make for the crafter in your life!