Strips of paper usually turn magic in the hands of wizards, but now almost all fingers are making wonders out of them. The art of quilling has caught the fancy of many like never before. Girls, women, why even men and boys are trying a hand in it, exploring their creative powers to the hilt. Some are busy making greeting cards and wall hangers, while others decorate photo frames, but most are into making embellishments for the body -ears studs, ear drops, nose ring, necklace, pendants and what not.
“Putting on studs and pendants made with my own hands gives me immense pleasure and quilling triggers my imagination and is relaxing,” say some girls at a function. The passion for quilling is reflected in the ornaments adorned by girls, boys and women across the state.
As housewives spend their spare time twirling and twisting out trinkets, their children are following suit. “It’s become an addiction. I spend my spare time productively these days and gifting people with my creations gives me a kick. The best part is that my children and their friends are getting hooked to quilling. It’s a break from the usual computer games and TV shows. I do make some pocket money out of it and so do my kids,” says Sreekala, a housewife. who displays her craftwork in her sister-in-law’s beauty parlour and her mother’s stationery shop.
“I am obsessed with quilling. Though I sell the products online the very thought of creating something with eco-friendly products using your hands is overwhelming,” says Murali, an officer. Tips on quilling pop from many sites and are augmented by videos on YouTube.
The craft seems to give respite to those staying alone in the sunset of their life as it makes them feel that they are doing something useful. Moreover, the aesthetics of the colour and designs stimulates the senses and boosts on’s well being.
As it’s easy to pursue, people are catching on to it irrespective of age, status or gender. “People rushing for quilling raw material ignited my curiosity and I gave it a try and became passionate about it and my children are into it in a big way and making profits,” says a salesgirl. She also adds that courses in quilling are becoming a hit in art and craft institutions.
As the fad is spreading across the places, the demand for quilling material is shooting up. The quilling counters of many a shop are crowded with people asking for paper strips of various hues and sizes, glue, cutter, plier, and the base of the ear wear comprising studs, and pins.
“We get more than 100 customers per day. Quilling is cheaper than other craft. Each pack of paper strips costs from ` 10 to ` 25. Earlier only north Indians were into it,” says Roy of Welcome Stores in Kochi.
The paper strips that come in sizes of 3, 5 and 7 mm are coiled around a needle tightly and the twisted papers are stuck in various patterns. The patterns can be threaded on metallic pins and turned in artistic pieces with a plyer and cutter.
A pack of metallic base costs ` 25, embellishments, ` 25 per pack, the needle ` 10 to ` 20 and the plyer and cutter costs somewhere between ` 50 and ` 120.
“Pursuing a craft gives a feeling of productivity. One can show it to others, there’s scope for appreciation and earning money and it boosts the confidence of children and adults. It’s an a encouragement especially for those going through a phase of worthlessness. Moreover it hones creativity,” says Lekshmy Ranjith, a counsellor.
