Tools and Materials
     
          There is three main things that will make your quilling turn
     out when choosing the paper you should use. (1) The desired effect
     your finished product will have, how do you want it to look? 
     Massive and bulky, firm and compact or delicate and airy; (2) How
     will the quilling be used?  Will it be handled a lot like
     quilled jewelry, or maybe a jewelry box, ornaments, or will it be
     handled less often, like a plaque, candle holders, frames, small
     boxes or a decorative vase.  Or, will it be completely protected by
     glass and of course, (3) your preference.  This can all decide the
     type of paper you will use.
          Quillers all over have used a large variety of papers.  Heavy
     enough to hold its shape and lightweight enough to roll smoothly
     and pliable enough when rolled without a tool that it will snap
     back in a coil to give the desired filigreed effect.  Next is how
     you roll the paper, that is, what types of coils you make.  The
     shape of it, 1/8, 1/4,1/2 or even 1 inch strips.  Next what colors
     you prefer.  You can buy precut paper.  Although I have never done
     this personally.  I cut my own and paint my own paper, either with
     acrylics or spray paint. Water colors work nicely too.  You can buy
     colored paper also.  It just depends on your preference or which
     technique you prefer.  My finished product is sprayed with a high-
     gloss lacquer, that I purchase in a craft store.  There is not much
     waste in quilling because you can always use the leftover strips in
     a future project.  If you cut your own paper and color it, you will
     keep the cost down to minimal.  Some quillers even use just plain
     white paper.  This can create a lacy effect or it can look like
     ivory depending on what you are making. 
          To cut the strips, you can use the straight edge of a ruler,
     pane of glass or paper cutter.  You can make a paper strip tree
     (looks something like a little coat rack) to hang your precut
     strips on.
                              Quilling tools 
           Some people prefer one tool over another, and others don't
     use any tool.  I don't use any.  But you will have to decide by
     trying different ones out.  Depending on how loose or tight you are
     rolling the coil. Hat pins, pins, needles, piano strings, insect
     pin, toothpicks, pencils, darning needles, knitting needles,
     various sized dowels, screwdrivers, can all be used for rolling the
     papers around.  What you roll the paper around is endless.  
          Glues used:  Glue is another essential part of quilling.  It
     holds your coils together and glues it down.  Glues that dry clear,
     such as Elmers glue.  Small amounts is all that is necessary.
          Some aids to quilling are as follows.  Small pair of scissors
     is handy to have.  Small plastic cup or bottle cap into which only
     a small amount of glue is placed, will help keep the glue from
     drying out.  Only a tiny amount of glue is used at a time.  A
     ruler, if the project you are working on takes the same amount of
     sized coils, you can be more accurate.  The work surface is also a
     topic for discussion.  Use a piece of cardboard with a piece of wax
     paper on it while quilling.  This works very nicely since glue will
     come right off of it easily.  It makes it easier than using a
     table.  A graph, grid or your own pattern can be put under the wax
     paper while you work on the top of it.  The design you work on can
     be put together on top of the wax paper so you can fasten pieces
     together easily.  Some people may prefer to work on a piece of
     styrofoam covered with plastic wrap.  Tweezers are handy in
     assisting when picking up and placing a coil into position.  A tray
     or muffin tin or tackle box will help in keeping all your pieces in
     separated places, so things don't get mixed up.  A damp sponge, rag
     or baby wipes, so you can clean the glue off your hands easily.
          When you actually start quilling or begin practicing, you
     might want to make different sized coils, and use it as a sizing
     chart when you start creating your own shapes.  They could start at
     2 inches in length to 22 inches in length.  The longer the strip of
     paper the larger the coil.  Using a jig can be used to let the
     coil expand to only the desired inside of the jig (ring).  That way
     all your coils will be exactly the same size when expanded.
          A grid is very valuable when you are working on borders or
     even when wanting everything spaced properly.  Use graph paper and
     darken the lines where you want the coils, that way when you are
     gluing down your coiled pieces, they will be aligned perfectly on
     your finished project.  The graph paper, would of course, be put
     underneath your wax paper, which is on the cardboard.  The pattern
     can be anything from your own hand-drawn design or even
     photographed design or just an outline.  A compass can be used for
     geometric designs.
          Another handy idea is a travel kit.  A small box, say a shoe
     box, to handle all your materials when traveling.  Just think, you
     could be working on the coils while taking a relaxing plane trip or
     car trip.  This would really pass the time away.  You could include
     in your travel box, scissors, paper strips, glue, picks or pins for
     rolling around and a plastic bag for finished pieces.
     -----------------------------------------------------------------
     -------------------------------------------------End of Chapter---