Rosie And The Boys

Wedding Papercuts – a recent commission

Papercut showing wedding couple on a skiing holidayCreating bespoke papercuts for wedding presents is a true privilege. I love working with clients to weave together lots of different elements to tell the couple’s story. It is always a journey of discovery as ideas are sent back and forth and the design takes shape.

Sign post featuring wedding date and location

I’ve been looking forward to sharing this commission with you for a while but as I don’t like spoiling surprises had to keep this under wraps until now.

So much of this papercut design is deeply personal to the wedding couple and yet at face value it’s simply a picture of skiing trip. Everytime the newly weds look at this snowy scene they’ll be able to relive happy memories without feeling like their private love letters are on display.  And if people ask about the papercut they can share as much or as little of the story behind the picture as they like.

Closeup of Papercut Skiing Couple by Rosie and the Boys

Now that’s what I call a wedding present! If you’d like to commission me to create a special papercut for you simply drop me a line at rosie@rosieandtheboys.com

 

 

 

How to draw a love story…

papercut heart detail with namesRecently I was commissioned to create a papercut as a wedding present.  As I talked with the client about the design it became obvious that this gift would celebrate not only the love between the wedding couple but also the deep friendship between the customer and bride-to-be.  A catalyst sparking off memories for the couple and for their friends and family who had watch the relationship blossom.

As part of planning the design I try to discover not only the details a client would like to include but also the story behind them.  In this instance, I learnt about a couple who born thousands of miles apart had met in London and been drawn together by a shared interest.  My client told of holidays together, shared passions and special nicknames, a romantic proposal and plans for the big day.

Papercut map of London

With pages of notes, my task was to now create a design that would tell this couple’s wonderful story in a way that was beautiful as well as meaningful.

They had travelled the world and yet so many of the key moments in their relationship took place in just one city. The idea of an illustrated map began to form…and so here is how I chose to draw a love story:

Papercut illustrated map

 

 

A picture with a hidden message

Bespoke Peony Papercut created by Rosie and the Boys

Bespoke Peony Papercut created by Rosie and the Boys

So, um, what I mean is… you see..I…um…well… what I’m trying to say…

When you are trying to tell someone just how much they mean to you, words can sometimes get in the way.  There are people in this world with a gift, the ability to put words together to convey a message in a way which is both succinct and beautiful. Then there are people like me who either rabbit on for half an hour or mumble awkwardly.

From an early age I realised I was much better at letting people know how I felt by making them something instead.  By creating something especially for someone I discovered the winning combination of being able to let someone know that they are special and worth the effort without looking like a gibbering idiot

There is something about a gift which has been created with you in mind which makes it even more special.  This summer I have had the great privilege of creating a number of bespoke papercut designs to celebrate special occasions.

Message detail in peony papercut

Message detail in peony papercut

I’m thrilled to say I have been given permission by a recent client to show pictures of one of those bespoke papercuts.  A gift from one sister to another, the brief was to create design featuring peonies that incorporate a message in a very discreet way.

Hidden messages in artworks are not a new concept but I was really excited that this design would be enjoyed on a number of levels. A beautiful papercut for everyone to enjoy and a reminder of a special day and a sister’s love for those in the know.

Two detail views of the peony papercut

Detail views of the papercut

 

I decided that the message would be best hidden in the design as pollen stamens, so that viewed from afar it’s almost impossible to spot the message and yet up close you can clearly see the intricately cut details.

If you’d like to create your own custom piece with a hidden message just drop me a line: rosie@rosieandtheboys.com

The story of a papercut – from inspiration to creation

Picture of sweetpea papercut

Once upon a time there was a wedding and my sister and her new husband chose “Hanging on the wire” by Paul Weller as the song to play when they had their first dance together.  From that day whenever I hear the beautiful, rich voice of Paul Weller memories of that day come flooding back. I will always associate the sound of his voice with love, and it was another of his songs and the simple lyric “Sweetpea, my sweetpea” that inspired this papercut.

Last summer I grew sweetpeas in my front garden and they bloomed continuously for months.  There were so many flowers and such a heady scent that people often stopped as they walked past and I was able to give bunch after bunch away to friends and neighbours. Some of those sweetpeas even went into a neighbours wedding bouquet!

This year as the flowers begin to bloom again I was reminded of the Paul Weller song and the lovely memories of my sister’s wedding.  It led me onto thinking about anniversaries and how the first anniversary gift is traditionally paper. After returning from a walk I found myself sitting down at my desk and starting to draw…

Image: Rosie and the Boys

Image: Rosie and the Boys

So let me tell you the story of how the drawings above became a papercut.

After sketching various sweetpea forms – a stem, a leaf, a bud and open flowers I scanned the finished drawings into the computer.  I then played around with the various elements to create a design in Adobe Illustrator.  By creating a digital image I can easily change or add elements. Once I was happy I reversed the image and printed out a design template. The image is reversed so when the cut is finished and you turn the paper over all the little scratches and any lines where the knife overruns slightly are hidden from view.

I wanted to reflect that the inspiration for this cut came from a song sung in a deep, male voice, so I chose a high quality, slate coloured Murano paper to give a soft, textured look to the finished cut.

The cut starts by stapling the design template to the paper to ensure it won’t slip.

Image: Rosie and the Boys

Image: Rosie and the Boys

Closeup of rotating Xacto KnifeIt’s also important to have the right tools – in this case an A3 cutting mat and an Xacto knife with a rotating blade.  The blades for this knife are comparatively expensive and it can be tempting to keep using a blade even if it starts to blunt. As a result the cut suffers so I change blades as soon as they start to snag the paper otherwise it always ends in tears and frustration.

 

I always start with the small details; ignore these areas at the start and it’s too late to add them in later when the paper is weaker.

Clsoeup pictures of small details cut out

As I keep cutting, it becomes instinctive deciding which piece to cut next.  I find that I get to know the piece of paper and how it will react to being cut. At this stage in the cut, the process becomes almost like a meditation. I find that as I focus on the twists and turns of the knife my mind is strangely free to wander and I find myself either reflecting on the memories that inspired the piece or thinking about who might be going to receive it.

Detail pictures of papercut

Image: Rosie and the Boys

There will always be fragile and difficult areas in a design. I find it best to work on these gradually from early on in the paper cut so that the paper isn’t too weak to withstand the force of the cut causing fragile areas to tear.

Detail of cutting out fragile text

 

 

Here the text is gradually cut away but left in a protective “bubble” until later.

This means that I can apply the necessary pressure with the knife blade to get a crisp, clean cut without worrying that I will rip a fragile strand of paper.

 

 

It’s important to protect the design as it progresses.  Resting a piece of paper over where I have already cut stops me from unintentionally catching  the papercut with myknife, hand or arm causing it to tear or crease.

Closeup detail of papercutting process

Image: Rosie and the Boys

 

Closeup of trace cuts

When working with a textured paper like this Murano paper I find it is sometimes better to make an initial trace cut which I then go over again once the design has been completely traced with the knife.  After I have removed the stapled design I can then cut fiddly turns with confidence rather than making mistakes.

 

 

When the goal is in sight it is easy for me to get impatient and rush.  I have to remind myself that good things come to those who wait!

Nearly finished papercut

 

Once I’ve finished the cut I always get some satisfaction from looking at the pile of paper at my side. It is evidence of the hard work and time I have put into the papercut.

Finished papercut on cutting mat with discarded paper

And then the hours of drawing and cutting come to an end.  It’s time to enjoy the result.

Papercut of sweetpeas

The Craft of Lasercutting

This year at Rosie and the Boys we have branched out into using the skills of others to help create some of our products. We are passionate about creating things by hand but want our products to be available to a wide range of people and budgets. With this in mind, we set about searching for some of the UK’s finest to help.

Our Cuckoo Clock celebrating the birth of a new baby seems to lend itself particularly well to the laser cutting process. Photo: Yeshen Venema (http://yeshenvenema.com/)

Our Cuckoo Clock celebrating the birth of a new baby seems to lend itself particularly well to the laser cutting process.
Photo: Yeshen Venema (http://yeshenvenema.com/)

I was thrilled to be stall neighbours with Jacques and Karli of Designosaur at December’s Crafty Fox market and even more delighted when Jacques agreed to help out with laser cutting some of my designs.

Designosaur logo

It has been fascinating learning more about the process behind creating a lasercut design and Jacques has been a very patient teacher.  Early on it became clear that many of the skills associated with “traditional” crafts are still required when using new technologies.

Jacques and Karli have very kindly agreed to answer a few questions about the craft of laser cutting. So here goes:

Laser cutting is used more and more in products. Why do you think it is so popular?

Laser cutting is amazing! You can take digital images and use them to create accurate Models, Cars, Jewellery, Electrical Components, Clothes and Art you can even use it to cook sausages. I think that it is it’s versatility in a wide range of industries that has made it so popular. It allows people to create unique products at the touch of a button and you don’t have to be a millionaire to do it.

Lasercut acrylic necklace inspired by Lictenstein

Lichtenstein Inspired Green Heart by designosaur Photo:Bob Prosser (www.hellomynameisbob.co.uk)

Can you laser cut anything?

No not anything, but nearly anything. It depends on the laser cutter. The laser cutter that we use is able to cut a long list of materials including acrylic, wood, cork and neoprene. It can also engrave anodised aluminium but not cut it. Jacques engraved a dinosaur onto the back of his phone to try it out, we are pretty sure this voids his insurance…

What is the best thing about laser cutting? And the worst?

The best thing about laser cutting is that it is inexpensive, the worst thing is that everybody thinks that it is easy to do it well.

Lasercut wood and acrylic dodo necklace

Darwin Dodo Necklace by designosaur Photo: Bob Prosser (www.hellomynameisbob.co.uk)

Tell us a bit more about the process – do you walk around with an Austin Powers style laser gun?

Unfortunately not! The laser cutter is a big machine, that uses a laser to cut out designs from your CAD drawing. It takes a matter of seconds to cut out a small shape but the more detail you have in a design, the more expensive it will be! Jacques does all of the laser cutting for designosaur, so for us, he creates the designs, makes sure all of the cut lines, engrave lines are in place, sets the plastic (or other material) up on the laser cutter, the laser cutter cuts the design, and the process is self finishing… HOWEVER if you use wood like us, all the pieces need cleaning afterwards. The laser cutter runs at different speeds and intensities and it is experience which means that you can get the best cut for each material, thickness and finish.

What creative opportunities does laser cutting provide designers?

The ability to use a range of mediums with only one tool. It also means that you can experiment without spending too much money!

How does someone get into lasercutting?

Lots of people are laser cutting at School or University these days, if those days are behind you then having good CAD drawings means that you can get your designs cut at any laser cutters. When you go to the laser cutter it is helpful to have an idea of the process so that you and the laser cutter are on the same page!

Detail photographs of Rosie and the Boys lasercut cuckoo clock

Here are some beautiful detail shots of our lasercut cuckoo clock
Photos: Yeshen Venema (http://yeshenvenema.com/)

Do you think 3D printing will take over from laser cutting? 

Definitely. The price for 3D printing needs to come down quite a lot to make it more accessible but eventually a lot more people will be using 3D printing for jewellery and everything else really! Laser cutting is a completely different technique which only works in a 2D form. 3D printing obviously means that you need to be able to model items in 3D. We think that converting 2D drawings into 3D drawings and keeping that designers style like you can with laser cutting will be a lot harder, so there are a lot of laser cutters out there that would need to 3D model!

Who are your laser cutting heroes?

 I get a new hero almost every day its great just seeing how people constantly use the laser to create amazing new designs.

Wooden lasercut Brighton Pavilion Necklace

Brighton Royal Pavilion Neckalce by designosaur Photo: Bob Prosser (www.hellomynameisbob.co.uk)

Some people may think that using a laser cutting machine is not “craft” in the same way as something like woodcarving for example. Can you describe the craft element of lasercutting?

The craft in Laser cutting is in the design not the making. However, the craft element is also in knowing your material and your process inside out. All woodcarvers will know that doing something a certain way could ruin a design – with laser cutting it is the same thing, to get the best results you have to know the process inside out. However we are quite happy to be known as designers not crafters!

To see more of Jacques and Karli’s work head over to: http://www.designosauryeah.co.uk/

To get your hands on one of our lasercut cuckoo clocks head over to: http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/rosieandtheboys/product/personalised-new-baby-cuckoo-clock-papercut

 

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About Us

Rosie and the Boys is a creative family team with a love of colour and soft spot for parties. Our products are handcrafted with attention to detail, quality materials and a smile on our face! Inspired by Nature and designed with the latest trends in mind, we provide a range of party decorations and greetings cards with a contemporary twist.

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