Since appearing in Vietnam about four years ago, quilling, or paper filigree, is an art form that involves the use of strips of paper that are rolled, shaped and glued together to create decorative designs.
It has attracted large numbers of young Vietnamese art enthusiasts with its numbers growing daily.

“According to some resources on the internet, quilling originated from Europe during the Renaissance, as French and Italian nuns and monks used quilling to decorate book covers and religious items and it then spread to the Americas and there are a few examples from colonial times. Wherever it was from, quilling is a genre of art which can create beautiful paintings, 3D creations, greeting cards, flower vases and cute gifts,” said Ngo Duy Phuong, a quiller and head of a quilling club in HCMC.

To make a quilling creation, first of all you wind a paper around a quill to create a basic coil shape, and then arrange it to form a flower petal, leave or ornamental pattern. The paper is then glued at the tip and combined into a model. The craft has gone through many transformations and changes through the ages using new techniques, styles and materials such as dimensional quilling in 3D form is the newest creation. A quilling work needs a day to a month to complete, depending on size and how complicated the work is.
 
To make a piece you need a circle sizer ruler, a slotted tool, needle tool, fine-tip tweezers, a knife and quilling paper. Phuong added that quilling is divided into two types, traditional and modern. In traditional pieces you only need to follow the model style but with modern types it requires quillers to show off their own styles and be much more creative.

Phuong came across quilling by chance when he was researching how he could make a handmade gift for his girlfriend and quilling immediately impressed him.

“We have over 5,000 members on our community network on Facebook. Many of us not only make gifts for friends and display at home but also sell our works for guests who order online from our Facebook page,” said Phuong.

Nguyen Hoang Thang Long, a quilling enthusiast, said: “I am really attracted by quilling as it’s hard to imagine small paper string being made into great artworks,” adding that he will make one for his girlfriend for Valentine’s Day.

“It’s not too difficult to become a quiller as quilling just requires people to be patient, meticulous and good at combining colors and being creative,” said another young quiller Tran Quang Hai, a student in HCMC.

Phuong hopes that quilling will get more popular one day. He said: “I will chase down the craft professionally and will hold an exhibition on quilling if I have a chance in order that more Vietnamese art lovers know more about quilling and can take part.”

The possibilities of quilling are endless as creations can be made into large-size paintings on landscapes, daily life or portraits. “Once you try to play with paper, you will see miracles happen,” added Phuong.

SGT