Product Description
Parchment craft, the art of piercing and embossing translucent parchment paper to create delicate, lace-like designs, originated in the cloisters of Spain in the 15th century. This book shows, in colour step-by-step sequences, how to trace, perforate, emboss, cut and tint the parchment paper to create greeting cards and bookmark designs. There are 22 projects shown in colour, together with full-size patterns and easy-to-follow instructions for each one. Readers can mix and match the motifs and borders, including butterflies, flowers, fans, a carnival mask and an exotic bird. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

This is the book to get started with parchment
Of all of my parchment craft books and kits, Janet Wilson has written the one I turn to most often. I've created three cards (two valentines and a sympathy card) following her directions and designs, and she is by far the easiest author to understand.(Incidentally the directions included with the Pergamano parchment craft kit were the most difficult to follow.Go figure.)

In the first chapter of "Parchment Craft," the author describes and shows photographs of the materials and equipment you will need to get started in this fifteenth-century art form.She does not actually list suppliers, but they are easily discovered out on the internet.(One of my favorites is "willascommodities.com".)You really don't need much to start with, just the correct type of paper (which is not really parchment), scissors with short curved blades and fine points (very much like manicure scissors), a pen and white ink for tracing, a couple of pads to place underneath the paper while embossing and perforating, embossing tools (basically knob-ended sticks to use for drawing & rubbing), and needle tools for perforating the paper into fancy patterns.

The author suggests tracing all designs on to the parchment with a mapping pen and white ink.I tried that and found that I was more comfortable with a white Prismacolor pencil, although the resulting lines are not quite as fine.Embossing is done from the back of the paper, so don't do what I did the first time and also trace onto the back of the paper.My niece Chelsea's name came out as 'aeslehC.'

Many of the directions are illustrated by step-by-step color photographs, especially when the author is demonstrating a new method such as applying color with oil pastels, or using the four-needle tool to make lace.

There are many patterns that can be used interchangeably--for instance I copied part of the design from an Easter card for my sympathy card.However, some of the patterns are not full-sized and you will have to enlarge them on a photocopier before using them.I wish this step could have been avoided by publishing only full-size patterns, since I no longer have easy access to a copier.However, this is a minor fault in a very nice book.

A beautiful art form!
Like the previous reviewer, I found the instructions in Janet Wilson's book to be very clear--much more so than other books I have on the subject.She guides the reader step-by-step and tells what supplies are needed and how to use the tools.This craft was completely new to me, but within a short practice period, I was able to complete most of the projects in the book with very beautiful results.I've sent birthday greetings with my hand-made parchment cards and received effusive compliments and thanks for them. This is my favorite instruction book for working on parchment.

Parchment Craft- re-create a 15th century craft....
This is my favorite book on parchment craft. The patterns are just beautiful and can be done by a parchcrafter of any skill level. Janet Wilson's directions are clear and easy to follow.. The photos of hercompleted projects are inspiring. I use this more than any other book I ownon parchcrafting....I was recently asked to teach classes in parchmentcrafting and this is the book I asked to be put on the student's supplylist. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Gorgeous projects!
This book is so useful to the Parchment crafter!Wonderful and beautiful ideas!

parchment craft:over15 original projects
beautiful projecrs,the only problem i encountered was the projects in the gallerie sections of the book.The author failed to include directions on how to do these projects,even though she included the patterns.You cant really do them by just looking at them,since some are really intricate.

A beautifully illustrated book!
I found this book to have wonderful pictures and directions with the pictures so you can see how to do it.There are also many ideas for use of parchment craft other than cards.I really liked that.However, the only problem I encountered was that the patterns need to be enlarged.Therefore, I had to cut out the pages of the patterns (which I did not like to do) and then take them to a copy store to be enlarged.As I am a stay-at-home mom with a very busy 8 month old, the only time I can enjoy crafting is at night, and as eager as I was to get started on some of the projects, I had to wait for what seemed like forever before I had a chance to make it to the store. And then there was the added cost of the enlargements.These were the only drawbacks of this book to me.

Wonderful, delightful book!
This book inspires me-- as a Hospcie volunteer, I have used many of the designs on cards to comfort my clients after their loved ones have died. These cards just dont' get tossed out.

Beautiful book
"A great getting-started book.The projects are beautiful and progress from basic techniques into more complicated ones.Maybe a little too fast - it doesn't spend much time on the basic tracing and embossing,but then, this isn't rocket science. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (3)

Excellent Resource Book
This book is well written, and has many excellent ideas.The directions are thorough and easy to follow.I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in creating with parchment and/or vellum.

Gorgeous, but no hint where to buy needed materials
Although most authors who seem to dabble in multiple crafts just long enough to sell books on each subject, I am admittedly partial to Marie Browning, who always adds innovative and elegant touches to everything she does -- and buy each of her books as soon as they're written.This book is equally wonderful.The only reason I didn't give it five stars is because it doesn't give any hint where to buy any of the materials -- which sure aren't available anywhere near me.Likewise, some of her descriptions are very skimpy if you're going to have to search for the item(s).Nevertheless, the gorgeous photographs and clear directives make this well worth the purchase price.Although I'm not sure what a Japanese lantern is (and even the many-paged instructions didn't make that clear), the variety is extensive (from sachets to lampshades, boxes, picture frames, picture mats, cards, and a zillion things in between), and everything shown is gorgeous.

Wonderful Vellum!
This book has beautiful, clear, detailed photos of crafting with vellum & parchment! I've tried Peragammo in the past which was difficult for me to understand.This book clarifies essentially the same concepts magnificently!This book is a real assest to the paper/rubberstamper crafter who wants to expand creativeness! ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

South American Parchment Craft
A collection of very intricate but charming designs. Not for the purist parchment crafter - mostly paper pricking with mesh grid and single needle tool. Very little embossing work or colouring techniques, but a source of inspiration and encouragement to achieve great effects. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (4)

Nice book
This book is nice for beginners.I wanted a good reference book and this was fine.Author needs to know that readers from USA may not know what she is referring to:"felt-tip pens" are watercolor pens, not "Sharpies" and some products are not available in this country.Book's being shipped from England meant I had a long time to wait for delivery.

Great book!
I am a complete beginner and this book has proven more useful to me than any other parchment craft or Pergamano books. The instructions are very easy to follow, and there are plenty of patterns to practice with (or to make projects with.)If I'd gotten this book first, I may not have gotten some of the other books I've spent money on.
What I especially love about this book is that you don't feel like you have to buy a hundred different tools and lots of other fancy supplies just to get started! Looking at other books, you could get turned off by how expensive parchment craft can be.

Parchment Craft (Art of Crafts) by Carla Larter
I was pleasently surpriced receiving this book. I am a novice in this field, constantly improving after taking a class. This book is EXCELENT. First the book is hardbound, but the pages are on a ringbinder, so when you go to trace or make a copy to enlarge a pattern( for personal use only), you can actually get the whole pattern.
Her instructions are VERY precise, and her teaching was a great help to me, easy to follow, and lots of "tricks of the trade"-hints with expl. Would look foreward to any further books with patterns from this author. Sincerely Linda Fisher

Great book to have for Parchers!
The instructions and illustrations are clear and concise. Many step-by-step picture illustrations are included. Book also illustrates the different ways to dorso a plain paper. This is great as I can now have coloured parchment paper the way I need them. If you have problems in cutting the `X', this book goes into detail how to make them. It also provides good diagrams to illustrate correct and incorrect cuts made. In all, there are more than 30 patterns in this book. These patterns will be able to keep any parchment craft lovers occupied for hours. Overall, this book is well-organised and I'm sure you will enjoy the book as much as I have. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (2)

The Art of Parchment Craft
This book is very clear and easy to follow, however the only thing I do not enjoy so much is having to enlarge the patterns on the photo-copy machine. (I'm just bone lazy I guess) but get it its worth it!

A top-notch book, well worth buying.
This book is very pretty to look at. It has lots of good pictures allowing you to follow most examples through step-by-step. The clear instructions accompanying the pictures (or vice-versa) make it easy to use, even for beginners. I found that the diverse range of projects have been useful for me many times. It has taught me the Art of Parchment Craft so well that I have been asked to demonstrate this craft for a local ladies group. I would love to see more books by the same author. ... Read more

Product Description
A parchment craft handbook. It contains 15 step-by-step projects, each photographed in colour, plus 20 additional designs for inspiration. There are ideas to suit all ages and abilities, and patterns are included for every design featured. ... Read more

Product Description
Parchment craft is the art of cutting, perforating and embossing parchment paper to create delicate, lace-like designs for greetings cards and other stationery, table decorations, fans, boxes, lampshades, paperweights, gift-wrapping and much more. Pergamano[trademark] Parchment Craft includes full step-by-step instructions for an exciting range of projects that will appeal to all age ranges and capabilities. The 15 attractive projects use readily available materials and inexpensive tools and equipment and are photographed and described through all stages of making. Special gallery pages illustrate variations on the techniques explored in the projects and are described in detail. This wonderfully accessible book also has a comprehensive section on materials and techniques. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Very good Book
The Book was what I expected.
The delivery was fast and I encounter no problem.
I'm very pleased.

Pergamano Parchment Craft by Martha Ospina
This book has a lot of step-by-step instr. that was very helpful to a novice. It goes into how to trace, the use of the colors, clipping(snipping), tools and paper.
I would consider it along with Carla Larter's: Parchment Craft to be a COMPLETE and THOROUGH help and class in this field.
I am glad reading the reviews before me - save me from bying the same book with just different covers. I bought them both used, and they were new!Sincerely Linda

Super Informative!
Lovely book!Highly recommend to those of you beginning Parchment crafting!AAAA+++++++

Agreeing fully with the comments from the reviewer b4 me
I totally agree that we can feel conned this way.I bought another book also with a different cover and ISBN but the contents are the SAME!This is unacceptable. We who buy from the web will never have the chance to look at the contents before buying and we rely heavily on the cover and descriptions!

Same book, same author - different cover
Are you aware that this book entitled 'Pergamano Parchment Craft' - Step by Step Crafts by Martha Ospina - ISBN 1 85974 877 5 has exactly the same contents as a similarly entitled book which has a different cover and a different ISBN number - 1 58923 020 5.

I have ended up with two books with different covers, different ISBN numbers but with exactly the same contents by the same author.

Both books issued in 2001.

This cannot be right.

I feel conned.

Joan ... Read more

Product Description
First published as "The Search Press Book of Traditional Papercrafts" in 2000 ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Construct some very beautiful cards and other paper crafts
Of all the authors who publish papercraft how-to books, I turn to Janet Wilson most often because of her clear and practical directions on quilling, parchment craft, teabag folding--all decorative paper arts seem to be within her realm.

If you already own her book on parchment craft, you will notice that it is included in "Traditional Papercrafts," however the card and bookmark patterns are much larger in the original book.This will not be a problem if you are already planning to enlarge the patterns.

In the largest section of "Traditional Papercrafts," the author describes and shows photographs of the materials and equipment you will need to get started with the fifteenth-century art of parchment craft.She does not actually list suppliers, but they are easily discovered out on the internet.(One of my favorites is "willascommodities.com".)You really don't need much to start with, just the correct type of paper (which is not really parchment), scissors with short curved blades and fine points (very much like manicure scissors), a pen and white ink for tracing, a couple of pads to place underneath the paper while embossing and perforating, embossing tools (basically knob-ended sticks to use for drawing & rubbing), and needle tools for perforating the paper into fancy patterns.

Many of the directions are illustrated by step-by-step color photographs, especially when the author is demonstrating a new method such as applying color with oil pastels, or using the four-needle tool to make lace.

The next section demonstrates the Victorian art of stencil embossing, and requires even less tools than parchment craft:basically card paper, stencils, fancy-edged rulers (for card edges) and tools fitted with embossing tips (just like you might already own for parchment work).A lightbox is nice for back-lighting the stencil, so that its outlines can be seen through the paper.The author demonstrates techniques for producing cameo (raised) designs and intaglio (impressed) images.

If you are a fan of all things Celtic, this type of knotwork lends itself very nicely to embossing.

Examples of the art of paper pricking can be found in Regency pattern books and correspondence, but the heyday of this craft appears to have been around 1840 - 1860.As always, the author lists the basic tools and materials (paper, needle, pricking mat) and useful extras, e.g. a needle vice and cuticle scissors.Some very intricate border patterns that you can prick out are included, with directions on how to enlarge them to card-size.

If you really enjoy paper pricking, you may want to advance into paper lace.Add translucent paper, a sharp craft knife, a tapestry needle and some gold thread to your equipment and construct some very fancy card borders, complete with embroidery.The author includes patterns and examples of completed projects.

The final section of "Traditional Papercrafts" concerns quilling, the art of tightly winding paper strips, pinching them into various shapes, and gluing the shapes into fancy designs--anything from flowers to coats-of-arms.

Supplies include quilling paper (which you can buy pre-cut into strips), quilling tools which resemble small long-needled awls, blank cards, scissors, straight pins, and glue (I suggest paper glue).Another very useful piece of equipment is a quilling cork board marked with circles where you can pin your petals, rolls, leaves, and hearts into (say) a Christmas wreath before gluing the individual pieces together.An optional piece of equipment is a fringing tool ($50 at the quillingsuperstore.com).You might also want a paper crimper.Both of the latter items are needed for any fancy flower creations.

Photographs of some fine old quilled borders for holy pictures and free-standing crosses are included, as well as directions for creating simpler designs for cards and Christmas ornaments.

If you are at all interested in papercraft, this book is a must-have.

... Read more

Product Description
Parchment Craft for Pleasure is a great book for allPergamano crafters.The designs are simple yet very pleasant and notvery time consuming.Detailed instructions, clear patterns andbeautiful full colour photographs combined with your own efforts willresult in you creating some lovely projects. ... Read more

Product Description
In this richly Illustrated book Martha Ospina describes the basic techniques of the elegant and decorative parchment craft.It is a unique hobby that use transparent parchment paper and various techniques of working with it to create lovely pieces, such as greeting cards, gift boxes and book marks.This book explains all the basic techniques step by step, illustrated by photographs allowing you to get started right away.Each chapter uses clear explanations, photos and a pattern to teach a new teachnique such as perforating, embossing or cutting.The lovely designs in this book offer additional motivation and inspiration. ... Read more

Product Description
"Through the medium of parchment craft, Pergamo aims at spreading friendship around the world. Parchment craft knows no borders, and requires no language. Practising the art of parchment craft brings strangers together and makes them friends, stimulates creativity and imagination, and brings a feeling of satisfaction by creating a thing of beauty." "This book contains general information about the hobby, 21 projects, a complete overview of all availabe Pergamo products and many important addresses." [Excerpt from back cover's notes.] This is a catalogue and project book. ... Read more

Product Description
A book describing the basics techniques of this creativehobby called, parchment craft.The techniques described in the bookare tracing, dorsing, embossing, stippling, perforating and cuttingare explained in detail. The many step by step pictures clearly showhow to create your own masterpieces.With the help of the colourpictures in this book you will already be able to make beautiful cardseven while you are practising.Martha Ospina has managed to offer agreat instruction book on the basic pergamano techniques.A book ofvaluable information not only for a beginner, but also for the moreadvanced fans. 12 working patterns are included. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Great for beginners
The layout of the book is very nice, going from easier to more difficult projects.If followed in order, one can learn all the basic techniques for parchment crafting.It would have been nice if alternative ways of doing things would have been suggested (such as using fancy shears instead of perforating and cutting).However, I recommend it.

Pergamano Parchment Craft Techniques
This beautifully illustrated book offers clear, percise directions and guidelines for an old art form that is enjoying a popular revival. As a crafter, new to this art, I was able to learn which tools and supplies touse and a resource list for these items. Written instructions andtechniques are clear and easy to follow. Patterns and practice excercisesare very helpful. A great book for the beginner! ... Read more

Product Description
20 pages of Parchment-Plus Antiqued paper for Scherenschnitte.Parchment-Plus takes stains and watercolor well. ... Read more