Click HERE to ORDER NOW  |
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96 pages, 8 x 9 inches,70 color
and 35 B&W photographs.
$14.95, paperback with fancy flaps (Canada, $20.95), plus shipping and handling. lSBN 1-57990-011-9. To place an order, call Sterling Publishing at 1-800-367-9692 |
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From the "FIRST CUT", Fall '98 issue, a magazine published by the
Guild of American Paper cutters: Reviewer, Steven Woodbury writes:"This is a splendid new book, which many papercutters will want to own. It describes the history and technique of the uniquely Mexican papel picado (punched paper) hung as banners. Many fine examples are illustrated in brilliant colors. Trenchard discusses tissue papers, as well as foil and mylar and plastic. She describes the punches and hammers and layout techniques used to create the papel picado. "Mexican Papercutting" is beautifully designed, and the reproductions are excellent."
Mexican Papercutting: Simple Techniques |
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By Bryce Milligan, San Antonio writer and Teacher.(Special to Express-News) I don't know about your house, per en nuestra casa, it wouldn't be Christmas - or Easter, or Fiesta, or Dia de los Muertos, or someone's birthday - without colorful papel picado hanging all around.
Among our collection, some of our favorites were created by San Antonio artisan Kathleen Trenchard. For one of the most ephemeral of art forms, Trenchard even came up with a durable alternative. We've used the same plastic streamers on our front porch every December for a decade.
Trenchard has written a book on the topic, complete with essays on historical origins this is an almost global artform), cultural and usage notes, photographs of classic examples, suggestions about where to find the best examples in Mexico (the village of Huixcolotla in the state of Puebla), notes on tools and materials, and lots and lots of diagrams and instructions.
Traditional papel picado is created even today by using a hammer and various chisels to cut 50 or more layers of paper (or foil or even Mylar) at a time. Trenchard prefers this method as well, although she is not afraid to suggest techniques that diverge from the traditional, such as using wood instead of lead as a cutting board, or substituting craft knives ("X-acto" knives) for chisels when doing fewer than 20 sheets at once, or scissors for fewer than five.
But the heart of Trenchard's book consists of her numerous projects, ranging from doilies to placemats to banners to window curtains, with a digression into three-dimensional pieces that are a cross between papel picado and origami. Each has instructions and patterns (which can easily be blown up on a photocopy machine to use as stencils).
Creating these pieces is meticulous work; it is also, I must tell you, deeply therapeutic. "Mexican Papercutting" is an excellent introduction to this craft, whether for individuals or groups.
The Trenchard/Thompson cut paper collection represents fifteen years and running of traveling and collecting. The collection includes over three hundred different works mainly from Mexico, China, and Poland. Mainly cut paper, all the works are dated, documented and catalogued. The collection is available for research and traveling exhibits.
CUT-IT-OUT
is a registered trademark.
Copyright 1996[Kathleen Trenchard].
All rights reserved.
All designs by Kathleen Trenchard
Copyright 1996
Custom note card illustration for a stationary store
CUT-IT-OUT
is a registered trademark.
Copyright 1996[Kathleen Trenchard].
All rights reserved.
All designs by Kathleen Trenchard
Copyright 1996
CUT-IT-OUT
Catalogs & Workshops
 Papel
Picado Punched Paper Start-Up Kit CatalogThis catalog includes many kits to get you started creating your own papel picado/cut paper banner creations. HOW TO ORDER |
Papel
Picado/Punched Paper Custom Design Catalogue Now you can decorate your home or event for every occasion, using ready-made or custom designed papel picado by ordering from CUT-IT-OUT. The decorations can be stored and reused as needed. HOW TO ORDER | DESIGN SAMPLES |
Decorative Shelf Liners Decorative, hand cut, lace-like shelf liners, made of cedar-scented, textured rice papers. A folk art tradition, these-liners make delightful gift items that add a unique and personal touch to an art display, a bowl of fruit or a flower arrangement. HOW TO ORDER |
This is a family activity highlighting a colorful tradition unique to Mexico and the Southwest. The programs outlined below can be combined and tailored to the needs of convention, festival and craft exhibit organizers. |
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| PRESENTER: | Artist/Educator/Author, Kathleen Trenchard |
| SUBJECT: | Papel picado (Mexican cut paper banners) |
| FORMATS: | Any of three formats below can be combined to suit
the interests of the audience. For example, a one-hour
program could be divided into a half hour each of
demonstration and workshop ( hour each). Slide lecture: ( -1 hour): Presentation of the rich, historical and cultural tradition of this intriguing art form. Traditional artworks are used to illustrate the use of cut paper art for the Mexican celebrations of Day of the Dead, Christmas and Independence Day. Demonstration: (15 minutes- hour): The traditional Mexican techniques of punching paper, mylar or plastic into intricate works of art using only a hammer and chisels. Workshop: (-one hour): Step-by-step hands-on workshop demonstrating easy techniques for fabricating traditional papel picado using scissors, a pattern, paper, glue-stick, paper clips and string. An original pattern is provided for each workshop participant. Choose a pattern from the CUT-IT-OUT kit catalogue or ask for a custom design. Participants will feel a sense of accomplishment and completion in handling the materials and taking their artwork with them to share with others. They also learn a useful, artistic skill. Participants should be limited to 50 adults and 25 children. |
| SOUVENIR KITS: | Souvenir kits can be tailored for your event to include the materials listed above which are needed for a workshop. These useful items are attractively packaged in a clear plastic, zip-lock bag. This enables each participant to enclose their completed banners in the same bag, for easy storage, protection and transport. Your program agenda and other items can also be placed in the bag in advance of your event. Workshop participants will be delighted with their free personal folk art souvenir. |
| CONTACT: | For more information call or FAX: (210) 225-6608 Email: jonthomp@freewwweb.com |
