Paper Transformed: A Handbook of Surface-Design Recipes and Creative Paper Projects [Paperback]

Julia Andrus (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2007

Paper is a bountiful and inexpensive resource that can be transformed into amazing works of art once touched by the skilled paper artistÆs hand. This book would serve as the ultimate, up-to-date resource for any paper crafter, artist, or designer who wishes to create and use hand-designed papers; offering step-by-step illustrated instructions for 100 styles of beautiful handmade papers and offering a gallery of ideas for how to use them. The paper treatments would cover some traditional processes as well as numerous variations with scores of new and original paper treatments and project applications from the author.

The application possibilities are endless as are the ways the papers can be used: for booking and journal making, scrapbooks, card making, paper sculpture, paper jewelry, collage, home d¬cor, and more.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Julia Andrus attended the Minneapolis Institute of Art with a focus on textile arts, which included illustration and organic chemistry. She worked as a chemist technician for the Honeywell Corporation while in Minneapolis before devoting 15 years to a freelance career as a graphic designer and illustrator while raising a family. She attended broadcast training in Tampa, Florida, and is an approved presenter with the Home Shopping Network where she has represented Duncan products as well as her own signature craft product lines. Julia has appeared numerous times on a variety of craft shows for television including those on HGTV and DIY Network. She is currently working on the production of a major network television show devoted to crafting.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Quarry Books (October 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592533701
• ISBN-13: 978-1592533701
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #494,442 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Handbook of Surface Design Recipes, January 18, 2008

By 

@askjudihays (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Paper Transformed: A Handbook of Surface-Design Recipes and Creative Paper Projects (Paperback)

The subtitle says it all "Handbook of Surface Design Recipes".


I met the author, Julia Andrus, at CHA several years ago and found her to be extremely knowledgeable about her craft in addition to being very personable and freely sharing of her ideas. I am thrilled to see her have this book published.


There are great techniques covered in this book that I had forgotten about. I have many other books that touch on various techniques here and there however it is so nice to have them all in one place in one book. This book is extremely useful and one that I refer to often - I only wish it were spiral bound!


Inside it's packed with great examples, easy to follow instructions, suggested variations and beautifully printed examples, along with completed projects showing the techniques applied.

I particularly love the way the book is designed - each recipe is portrayed on a graphic tag shape. I've taken several certification courses in paper crafting and we used the "tag method" to keep a record of the techniques. I keep my tags handy so I can use them as guide. I decided to do the same with this book. I sat down and made several of the techniques described so I have the method and examples to refer to.


If you are looking for something to jump-start your creativity, then this is your book. It is a handbook, a reference tool, a how-to guide, a creative stimulus of "recipes" for paper projects.


There are a few books in my collection that I find timeless and this is one of them.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Paper Transformed, May 30, 2008

By 

Cheryl Smith "CATSmith" (Utah) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Paper Transformed: A Handbook of Surface-Design Recipes and Creative Paper Projects (Paperback)

I have this book and love the organized, easy to follow directions. There are so many techniques in this book that are new and exciting to try. Some of the techniques are easy and some are more complicated. Julia uses Perfect Pearls in many of her techniques (it's her product and that is as it should be!!) and it is fun to see how versatile this product is. Her concise, organized delivery makes following her directions very easy and smooth. I'm a seasoned stamper and there were many techniques in this book that I had not seen before. It is definitely not the same old, same old thing you see in many other books. It is so hard to find good directions for the use of so many of the products out there right now. Julia's book gave us good directions. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning to use Perfect Pearls or many other products as well. Julia's artistic ability shines through with all her amazing samples. I great book and definitely work the price. I loved it!!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Primer!, July 26, 2009

By 

R. Piazza "RosieP" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Paper Transformed: A Handbook of Surface-Design Recipes and Creative Paper Projects (Paperback)

This book is a wonderful primer! Though others have mentioned that the techniques offered in this book are repeats of what can be found in magazines, who wants to spend the high prices of these magazines (that are typically only published 4 times a year) when you can have all of these techniques in one fabulous, affordable, book! I don't want to wait 4 months to learn 1, or a couple, new techniques. With this book as your reference guide you can begin taking your art to a new level NOW! This book is worth every penny! Also, check out "Acrylic Revolution" and "Ink Essentials."