Free Paper Cut Art Templates / Silhouettes

I was so excited to host the Let's Make your Mark Inspiration paper cutting art station at the ACC  Saturday 2/21 and Sunday 2/22/2015. I had to design a couple of templates for our visitors to try their hand at paper cutting art. Since I love silhouette art, I designed three silhouettes each with a different difficulty.

This one says " Be Original" Who can argue with that? 

You can download the templates for personal use only... and see how well you do with paper cut art! I will post one every week on Thursday, on the last Tuesday of each month.


It is a jpg but you should be able to download by right clicking on the art and copying it to your desktop.

Please comment below on how you liked the template or use hashtag #WCTemplate and @WashingtonCuts on Instagram to show off  your skills!

History of Paper Cutting Art

Paper cutting is an unique art form that has existed for thousand of years. It’s first origins date back to the 4th century China where it was used to form stencils to decorate fine silk and was used for religious decorations. The designs ranged from very simple one layer designs to intricate colorful pieces of art.

Paper cutting is the making of a design using small scissors or a knife. Designs can be of animals, family scenes, nature, holiday themes, or even patterns. The designs can be symmetrical or free flowing.

The art of paper cutting has spread throughout the world. In Germany, it is called Scherenschnitte, meaning “scissors cuts”.  Scherenschnitte focuses on life’s progression of birth, schooling, courting, marriage, family and death.

Wycinanki is the Polish word for paper cut design. Wycinanki varies by region. For example the Kurpie region wycinaki’s are typically one color, while the Lowicz region are multicolored. The design is usually symmetrical with one fold. The popular motifs are of spruce trees, birds, and medallions.

In Mexico paper cutting is a folk art and is called Papel Picado meaning “perforated paper”. The string banner designs are cut from tissue paper using a guide and a chisel, cutting through up to 50 sheets of tissue paper at time. Color schemes are linked to specific festivals and the motifs usually include birds, foliage, crosses, words, skeletons and historic figures.

In Japan, Kirigami, is the variation of origami that includes cutting of the paper. “Kiru”- to cut, “gami”- paper. Kirigami is started with a folded base which is then cut; the cuts are then opened and flattened. Kirigami is symmetrical and is usually of snowflakes, animals, flowers, pop up cards and pentagrams.

The art of Silhouette cutting started in Europe, and it is the form of cutting outlines or portraits out of black paper. Also, in Europe, Collage is the technique where artwork is made from an assemblage of paper from magazines, newspapers, and photographs. The word collage is French “coller’ meaning to glue. From collage came Decoupage from the verb “découper”- to cut out. It is the process of gluing cut pictures onto an object with special paint effects. The cut papers are layered on top of each other to give the object more depth.

Paper cutting is a traditional art form for the Jewish people, connecting religious ceremonies and customs. Paper cuts were used for Ketubot or “marriage contracts”, Mizrahs, and ornaments for festive occasions. It is traditionally cut from paper or parchments with depictions of symbols and the use of words.

Sanjhi, is the traditional art form of paper stenciling. Peacocks, horses, cows, butterflies and trees are some of the popular motifs used. Sanjhi is known for it’s spiritual implications and for displaying the stories of Krishna. The stencils are used to decorate spaces during festival season, or are filled in with water colors and placed on temple floors.  

Paper Cut Art Presentation

I had the chance to present my paper cut art craft to a couple of high schoolers at Takoma Academy in Takoma Park, Maryland at the end of December. The class, Careers in the Visual Arts and their Practical Application is taught by Lonnie Woods, my cousin's husband.

The course teaches students about the broad range of career options available in the art and design industry while they learn skills and techniques that are necessary to obtain specific careers. The class is structured around in the class lectures and discussions, studio projects, fields trips, and guest speakers - this is where I come in.

I was nervous, cause high schoolers get bored easily and I am not great at making presentations. I had 45 minutes to speak about my experience in paper cutting, how I built my business, the skills I need for my craft and a demo of techniques for paper cutting.

I created a simple slideshow using Google slides and wrote out the key points I wanted to talk about. Since I transitioned into paper cutting art from fashion design I shared my start in fashion and the companies that I worked for first. Then, I gave a brief introduction to how I got into paper cutting - it was through fashion, afterwards I talked about the history of paper cutting, and lastly running my Etsy shop. All in all, it was a great presentation, the students were engaged, asked questions, like my art and seemed to enjoy my demo. My demo consisted of showing them how to cut straight lines, curved lines, text and I gave them templates of diamonds, snowflakes, and a Star Wars snowflake template I found online.

See slide show here

Pictures courtsey of Lonnie Woods

American Craft Council Fair in Baltimore

I will be attending my first large art fair in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, February 21 and Sunday, February 22. I was invited by Annie Howe of Bmore-papercuts to attend this event with the American Craft Council. Annie is hosting a station and wanted to have other paper cut artist from the area to join her for this event. The craft fair will have over 650 exhibitors from all over the country showcasing their work ranging from contemporary jewelry, clothing, furniture, and home decor artists.

We will be participating in the 2015 Make Your Mark Inspiration Stations. At these station you will meet some of the artisans and watch or participate in the artist’s creative process.

Here is a list of who will be hosting a station:

BALTIMORE

Visit the “Make Your Mark” inspiration station and try your hand at the art of paper cutting. Experience different techniques inspired by Annie Howe of Bmore Papercuts in Baltimore and Janelle Washington from (WashingtonCuts) in Alexandria. Learn how paper cutting artists use simple tools, like small blades and scissors, to create complex and intricate images from paper.

Art Glass Center at Glen Echo

Artists from the Art Glass Center explain how glass is transformed in a kiln with temperature and time. Join in the discussion and handle samples of glasswork made with various techniques in a variety of styles.

Baltimore Area Turners

Accomplished woodturners will be making functional and artistic items out of ordinary wood, demonstrating their technique and process from start to finish.

Bowerbox Press

Experience the power of the printed word. Using a traditional letterpress and wooden type, you can add your voice to an ongoing poem started by Val Lucas of Bowerbox Press.

Sebastian Martorana

Using many of the same tools as Renaissance masters, Sebastian Martorana carries on the traditions of marble hand-carving. Join this present-day master in this centuries-old art.

Station North Tool Library

What’s the Station North Tool Library? Think of your neighborhood lending library, only with tools. Learn about their wide array of classes and check out a selection of tools – everything from simple hammers to portable table saws and palm sanders. If you’re feeling daring, pick one up and give it a try.

Towson University Metalsmithing and Jewelry

Towson University Metalsmithing + Jewelry program, in conjunction with the university’s Interdisciplinary Object Design program, presents a variety of processes in traditional and experimental metalsmithing and jewelry techniques, as well as digital technologies. Attendees can help develop the creative content for a thematic multimedia project.

Mark Melonas of Luke Works

Mark Melonas is an artist, designer, and craftsman with experience in many materials and a unique interest in concrete. With his team of skilled artisans at Luke Works, Melonas designs and creates one-of-a-kind furniture in wood, concrete, and metal. Get your hands dirty as Melonas demonstrates how to make functional objects out of concrete.

MAKE TRIBE

MAKE TRIBE is a series of community-driven craft workshops and skill-share suppers, produced in partner-ship with a variety of Baltimore businesses and artisans. Each day, MAKE TRIBE invites a different local maker to their show booth to demonstrate how their products are made and to share their skills.

Union Craft Brewing

The Union Craft Brewery makes award-winning ales and lagers. Stop by for a taste of what’s brewing right in the heart of Baltimore.

Baltimore Clayworks

Join Baltimore Clayworks as they host a free interactive workshop for ACC goers! In this hands-on experience participants will donate time and creativity to craft unique cups, mugs and tumblers that will be donated to support Community Arts programming at Baltimore Clayworks. Make cups, make friends, make a difference!

Weaver’s Guild of Greater Baltimore

Dedicated to the exploration of the fiber arts, The Weaver's Guild of Greater Baltimore joins with the ACC to host a 'Spinning Bloom of Looms.' We kindly extend our invitation to you to sit at the loom for a while and by 'throwing the shuttle,' add your own signature to a weaving-in-progress. Sit and weave or you can also felt a woolen pin to wear home.

The Baltimore Convention Center

One West Pratt Street

Baltimore, Maryland 21201

SHOW DATES AND HOURS

Friday, Feb. 20: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 21: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 22: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Advance Tickets are on sale and can be purchased here. Tickets will also be available the day of the show - one day passes are $16.00 and a 3 day pass is $34.00.

Friday after 5pm the tickets will be $5.00

First project for the year

I started on my first original paper cut art for the New Year and it is all about symbols- Adinkra Symbols and fabrics. I love symbols! They are secretive, original, and complex.

A symbol ... is a visual image or sign representing an idea -- a deeper indicator of a universal truth, according to the book of Sign and Symbols. To give you some background on Adinkra symbols we have to go back to Africa. Ghana to be more specific, to a group of people called the Akan’s. They used Adinkra symbols to represent concepts and aphorism. The symbols can be found on fabric, pottery, walls of homes, furniture and even gold weights. They are used to convey traditional wisdom and are linked with African proverbs. (Which I like to use in my art also.)

I started off with doing research on printed fabrics with Adinkra symbols for reference and picked the symbols that I like for meaning and the shape. I want my art to covey positive traits that a women can have or aspire to have and display. I also, want this art to be fun and bright. So after I cut the art out I will start on working on color ways that are on trend for the 2015 season.

10 things I learned at my first craft fair

I participated in my first craft fair on December 28, 2014 in Richmond Va. My friend from college who owns a t-shirt printing company called Petal Foot invited me to attend with her. The cost was reasonably low, so I decided to give it a try.

The overall theme was for the holidays and it was based around Kwanzaa so I knew that this would be a good venue for me to introduce my cut paper art style and hopefully get a couple of sales.

I created a much better collection of paper cut art than I thought I would. Being a paper cutting artist it was lots of hours of me sitting and cutting out the same thing over and over, so that was no fun. I did pick my easiest paper cut to duplicate and the more difficult art I got them printed professionally, which I received three days before the craft fair. Talk about cutting it close! Learned my first lesson.

So after six hours of sitting, smiling, conversing and getting a headache from the loud music I was a bit unhappy with my results. I did learn some valuable things for an artist so that helps me looking forward to my next fair.

*Know your customer

I thought since this was a Kwanzaa fair and my art is very afro-centric that my items would sell well. I didn’t factor in the type of customer that would be there. My price point was a little out of most people's price range and even though I had a good variety of prices they were still high for the customer.  Selling original art is no easy feat.

*Know your venue

The space at the Kwanzaa venue was pretty small and extremely loud. It was hard to talk to communicate with the customers that did come by so I wasn’t able to really “sell” my artwork. The Kwanzaa program was long and that took most of the customer’s attention away from the vendors. Also, there was a large chuck of time where the vendors were asked not to sell items, so that sucked.

*Give something away for free

I had created a couple of small diamond paper cuts that I was going back and forth on giving away free and then decided not to. The price I listed wasn’t favorable with my customers even though I had a lot of interest in them… especially the younger kids. So maybe candy next time.

*Have a card reader and a receipt book

I love that Etsy provided their own card reader and I ordered one early. The reader accepts cash but I had several customers ask for a receipt in hand. Thank goodness for my husband! He had bought a receipt book earlier for me.

*If you do custom orders have a way to get your customer’s information while you are there.

I tried to prepare for custom orders by showing what I offered but I wasn’t prepared for getting potential customer’s information. I had several people tell me that they were interested in having custom art and silly oh me just handed them an business card and told them to contact me by way of my website…..

*Do giveaways

I didn’t even think to do this at all! But my friend from PetalFoot did and I lost most of my email contacts to them..

*Ask for help

My husband attended the Kwanzaa fair with me and without him I would have been burned-out. He was able to write receipts out, pack, load, unload the car and was great support. My parents visited and that gave me a boost of morale! My mom even offered to buy us food when we left, which leads to me to my next lesson.

*Bring snacks and your own spending money!

I had a bottle of water and a small bag of Doritos, which my husband ate! My water lasted the first hour and I didn’t have enough snacks. So I was starving by the middle of the fair. I didn’t have enough of my personal money to even buy the food that was being sold there so I was starving after two hours.. The program was 8 hours long!

*Set up your table a week before and try to re-use household items

This was the best thing I could have done to prepare for the fair. I spent hours looking through Pinterest for examples and had a vision of what I wanted my table to look like. I visited my parent’s home to rummage through their household items and found:

• a metal cash box with keys (sweet find!)
• colorful bowl to hold my cards
• metal basket to hold my smaller items
• Tree limb to display my angel ornaments/tags
• Target circular that displayed a fold able 6’ in table with a handle on sale (great deal that went fast, should have gotten two)
• String

I also visited my local Goodwill store and found 2 interesting wire racks to display my prints.

*Remember to purchase or make the small and forgotten items

I had ordered a couple of Kraft bags but ordered them too late! I ended up running to Staples and buying a box of generic “Thank You” plastic bags. Not the look I was going for.  Remember to make or purchase:

•  Price labels
• Your business sign
• A sign in book for emails
• Business cards ( a lot of them)
• Table cloth ( I just bought some fabric that fit the dimension of my table and did a couple of hand stitches to create a hem and to make the ends look nice. I also, used sewers tape to iron a hem on for my table runner.)
• A small bag for pins, tape, markers, scissors etc.
• Heavy duty bags to carry my items into the building
• Sturdy box to hold extra merchandise
• A safe place to hide my personal items like wallet, car keys etc.

So even though I didn’t break even, I learned a couple of valuable lessons and I hope my mistakes and lessons will help you to have a successful or at least an interesting first craft fair! I look forward to my next craft fair and to put my changes in place.

Please share in the comment section if you have any other lessons or tips! I would love to hear from you!

*Bonus

Here is a list of great online resources that helped me prepare.

• handmadesuccess
• Shopify
• Pinterest- Craft Show Ideas
• Festivalnet
• Goinghometoroost

Cut Paper Art / Wedding or Anniversary

So I love creating unique paper cut art especially for weddings! I just finished one for a family member and it brought her to tears.

When I create wedding paper cut art the couples initials are the focal point and a borders accents the inner art.

For her, the initial K is used and shows that she is a lover of Go-Go music, loves the movies, got her masters from Howard, loves to eat out, member of the speech pathology association, and is a Delta.

For him: C- Loves all things Chicago - Bears, Cubs, is a referee, is a Kappa- with cane, loves to grill, and is a social worker.

The border contains a ukulele ( honeymooned in Hawaii), they both danced the night away during the wedding so there are records, stars ( with their wedding date) and a disco ball and in the corners with a volume equalizer. Their last name is put to music as a figure representing them doing the two step joins the initials.

See all the love and thought that goes into this?

Customized Initial Paper Cut for Wedding or Anniversary  

My paper cut art is very detailed. Telling a story of how the couple met and the things that are important and what make them special. They are usually 11 x 15.  I framed this one in a beautiful black 14 x 18 frame.

If you know someone that is getting married or having an anniversary and you want something unique that they will treasure forever then this is the perfect gift. There is nothing like it!