Papercrafting for Better Health!
If, as an adult, you picked up colored pencils and got reacquainted with coloring books then you know the kind of zen influence that combination of skill, concentration and repetitive action has to calm nerves. Likewise, whether for kids or adults, that “flow” state of mindfulness that helps us escape the pressures of modern living can also be achieved by crafting. That could explain an uptick in interest in crafts for all ages, from knitting, weaving, woodworking and paper crafting – all of which can offset the stressful effects of a daily barrage of digital overload.
Simple Serene Shapes
Whether cut, folded, pasted, printed or rolled (and quilled!), paper crafts are fun, engaging and easy to make (just watch out for paper cuts – ouch!). From origami paper containers for gifts and snacks, to quilled artwork to grace your walls, paper crafts are activity adventures well worth the investment of time.
We found all sorts of cool projects — mermaids and paper-plate dragons, modular bracelets and just in time for Halloween, puzzle-piece pumpkins and paper bats. These can be found, plus 25 more paper crafts, at Red Tricycle, and all are an imaginative way for kids (of every age!) to spend a few hours.
If you want a little bigger challenge, origami transformers are a gem of a project from What Do We Do All Day? Combining math, art and paper engineering, these are not the easiest project for wee ones, but if your child can fold a paper airplane, then he or she can make the transforming ninja star. All you need is origami paper and curious kids and this video to show you how it’s done!
Tranquil Tulips and Flowers
From carnations, to tulips, to dahlias, these paper flowers are beautiful paper crafts to make for topping presents and packages, placing on a table for decoration, or giving away. We found that Paper Roses is more than a vintage Marie Osmond song – these amazing faux flowers look so much like the real thing, people will do a double take to see if they’re the genuine article!
A crepe paper tutorial on YouTube is easy to follow as you craft your floral decorations. These seemingly intricate flowers are visually stepped out in an easy to follow how-to. You’ll need a compass, scissors, an X-ACTO® knife, glue stick and of course sheets of colorful paper. And this paper flower is easy enough for children to make – with a little help from a co-crafty adult. Imagine these in red – they almost look like paper poinsettias!
Awe-Inspiring Artwork
Want to sell your paper crafts? French origami artist Eric Josiel’s creations take two weeks to finish, according to The Telegraph. He sells them for up to 5,000 euros (about $6,300), and his smaller works go for as little as 300 euros. Penny Hoarder will point you to resources to perfect your paper artistry.
These paper purses on Etsy are eye-catching creations and while you could spend $20 for this one, you can also make something similar with a little how-to information from Living LoCurto.
Looking for more ideas? Just enter “paper crafts” in the search bar of YouTube.com and you’ll find tutorials for origami butterflies, Christmas and other pop-up greeting cards, bound books and journals and ornaments. Martha Stewart offers a variety of paper crafts to undertake with your kids, friends or partners for a feeling of contented confidence, free from stress, anxiety and deadlines!
Crafting in Crystal Valley
With plenty of room to spread out in the new homes built in the master-planned community of Crystal Valley, crafting – paper or otherwise – is a snap. Check out the comfortable and spacious model homes offered by Richmond American Homes, Kauffman Homes, Century Communities and D.R. Horton — all designed with contemporary needs in mind. The natural surroundings provide a desirable backdrop for the ranch and two-story floor plans, priced from the $300s.
