- What is a paper quilled teardrop
- How to make a teardrop
- Ways to use a teardrop
Easiest shape to make
Teardrops are what they sound like; a water droplet shape. Simply pinch one end of a paper quilled circle to create a teardrop. Just like the circle, we can also make variations of the basic teardrop shape. Once I learn how to make these variations, I'll cover them in a future post.
Basic process of paper quilling a teardrop
1. Use a toothpick to roll an entire strip of paper
2. Release the coil to make it loose (again, loose coils are easier to work with)
3. Glue the paper to itself to make a circle
4. Now pinch the top of the circle with your thumb and index finger
Note: There are pros and cons to creating tight and loose teardrops. Tight teardrops are harder to create (you need to apply more pinching pressure). However, tight coils produce more uniform teardrops; they will be the same size and have the same center. Loose teardrops are easier to make, but it's difficult to mass produce teardrops of the same size and spiral pattern.
Teardrop Quilling Designs
Although the teardrop looks like water, use it for many other designs. For example:
-A multi-color strip of paper (white, yellow, orange, red) creates a "fire" teardrop
-Many of the same color teardrops create a pattern, such as snake, dragon, or fish scales
-Multiple teardrops create reptilian toes (lizards, frogs, geckoes, etc.)
-Multiple teardrops create wings (for insects, fairies, etc.)
-Decorate a 3D object with many teardrops
Unlike circles, you can rotate teardrops in any direction, to form different designs. An upside down teardrop can be an exclamation mark, or dragon scale. Place white or blue teardrops in a diagonal orientation, to make wings. As always, experiment with different paper colors, orientation, and amounts to create your own unique teardrop design.