Students will enjoy exploring Simple and Stunning Handmade Oriental Cards by Polly Pinder [Search Press, 2007] They will learn how to create beautiful Far Eastern inspired cards, whilst gaining insight into the design process of card making. They will learn techniques such as embossing, piercing, punching, origami and more. They will not only use wire, beads, fabric and paper to produce a range of stunning designs. They will come to understand the design process and become insightful about how to create cards designs.
Pinder Explains Eastern Influence on Her Card Designs
Polly Pinder says that she often combines the characters of one country with ideas designs or symbols from another because “visually they compliment each other so beautifully” [Pinder, p4]
Some of the attributes of Oriental Art that Pinder cites as appealing are, simplicity of formal, understated Japanese Designs, the opulence of intricate Chinese brocades and the characters of Far Eastern alphabets, which are themselves miniature works of art she says. [Pinder, p4]
Simple Instructions for Card Making
The simple line drawings in the book inspired by Design Source Books from Search Press can be adapted or developed to suite personal ideas and techniques. The book walks through six projects with step-by-step instructions and clear photographs. Readers know exactly what to do and how to do it.
The designs are simple but highly effective. The ideas for incorporating glass-painting products on acetate are unique and original. The clever designs are simple and effective in their use of materials. No matter what the occasion, recipients of the cards will be touched by the thought and inspiration behind the gesture.
Materials for Oriental Card Making
Most of the materials for these projects are more than likely common to any general card making project. Avid card makers may already have much of the material in their card making kit. Be sure to read through the following list scanning for items that have been introduced as unique to the oriental theme
Usual Card Making Materials
- pencils
- compasses, protractors, circles, ovals and other templates
- double sided sticky tape and double sided adhesive foam squares
- glue sticks and a glue gun as well as PVA glue
- sharp pointed scissors
- spray adhesive (which must be used in a ventilated area and with a mask for protection)
- wire cutters
- a circle cutter and a craft knife
- steel ruler
- pliers tweezers
- cocktail sticks
- adhesive putty
- a light box
- paper card, tissue and foil card
Less Usual Card Making Materials
- wave press
- hand made paper (optional)
- glass paints
- outline paste and acetate
Paper Craft Embellishments
- beads
- punches
- feathers
- outline stickers
- dried twigs and leaves
- craft punches
- craft scissors
- stamps
- glitter and glitter thread as well as glitter glue
Card Making Design Templates
At the back of Simple and Stunning Handmade Oriental Cards is a chapter of templates. Readers are encouraged to trace suggested designs.
The templates serve several purposes. Readers can use the templates in the manner suggested until they are ready to further develop the ideas presented by the template, turning it into an original design. After gaining an understanding of the basic simplicity of template design students can design completely original templates to share. As a teaching strategy, teachers can design class sets of templates, making available a wide range of stimulus ideas.
Students may be encouraged to find new ways to use the techniques in this book, so that they create their own stunning designs. After experimenting with materials and techniques suggested, students may also develop the habit of trying out new materials, techniques and ideas.
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