Melissa Braun

The art of paper filigree and its importance in my life

Memories of childhood are like an old scrapbook in the mind. Slightly unorganized, lacking dates and times, but the images are vivid. One such memory for me is the first time I was introduced to paper filigree also know as quilling. Long thin strands of multi colored paper laying flat on the table. Each one cut to different lengthens, individually curled and folder to create a portion of a larger picture. I was 7 or 8 years old. It was the sample craft to try at my mothers monthly crafting group. The memory is faint, mostly of the colorful paper carefully twisted and glued to create a flower. I remember my fascination with the final product, and the beauty that came from the clean lines and simple picture created from paper. As with some things in childhood, the allure was fleeting, and quilling wasn’t a craft continued by my mom. Little did I know as that small child, the impact and importance that paper quilling memory would have in my life.