Book Review: Creative paper projects
Creative paper projects, by Sandi Reinke, published by Sterling.
Everything about paper, this is a book obsessed with and in love with paper. Full of weird and wonderful projects and papers and stories about paper, the projects and energy in this book are captivating and addictive. The book starts off with an explanation of the authors paper business Looseends.com (which I see is going out of business and having a huge closing down sale), then some pics of paper being made in the mountains of South East Asia (somewhere). (Note: Many of the projects in the book are based on papers that can only be found at looseends, but I suppose that alternatives can be found if you are inventive enough.)
After a small section on techniques the projects begin and these are fun, strange and mostly just for the ‘hell of it’ projects. Such as covering rocks with paper (these look gorgeous actually), making paper pillows (using special looseends paper, which softens with age and is hard wearing outdoors), a paper goose and paper eggs and making a woodland chair and table set (this is very whimsical and sweet, great project for kids). This is just a small range of the amazing paper projects in this book. Some are simply outrageous, others sort of practical (possibly maybe) but most are fun and fanciful.
I really enjoyed some of the scenes and settings that are made totally of paper, such as the verandah with a paper chair, paper window, paper box and mat and vase and pillow. And the zen room with paper covered desk and chair, paper screen, book, paper covered rocks and photo frames. Oh theres more, much more but you will have to see for yourself.
In conclusion - this book has imagination and creativity galore, is a little thin on practicality (does this couple have children I wonder?) and many of the projects are based on specific paper requirements. But the techniques and ideas explored are bound to get your creative juices flowing.
