In this article, I will provide a brief detail of how crepe paper came about, the benefits of using crepe paper compared to other types of paper, some of the projects that crepe paper is used for and five tips on how to buy crepe paper. Crepe paper has been around since the beginning of the 1900s, it was primarily used for making crepe paper flowers, back in those days things were a lot simpler. Flowers were used to decorate homes, for the bride to carry down the isle and placed on or near a loved one’s grave. If fresh wild flowers were out of season or hard to come by they would simply buy crepe paper and make their own flowers.
It may surprise you to know that many women made their daughter’s dresses out of crepe paper, fabric was a lot more expensive and if the crops didn’t do well or money was simply just “tight” then crepe paper it was!
Crepe paper has many benefits when compared to other types of papers commonly used nowadays for craft projects. When speaking particularly, flower making, you have a few options; crepe paper, tissue paper, Mulberry paper and pith paper.
Personally I prefer crepe paper and Mulberry paper over the other two for flower making. Crepe paper and Mulberry paper are both stronger and more durable to work with. Pith paper I have found to be rather expensive, it goes through quite a rigorous amount of preparation before it even becomes paper. Tissue paper is just not sturdy or durable enough to be used in flowers for home dcor, weddings or gift items.
There are hundreds of projects you can make using crepe paper, the most popular of course is flowers. Many woman are choosing crepe paper flowers for their weddings, this is very popular in European countries and catching on rather quickly in the United States as well. Crepe paper flowers allow the bride to have any color or flower that her heart desires from her bouquet to the flowers that decorate her reception hall.
Home dcor and holidays is another popular choice for using crepe paper flower centerpieces and even Christmas ornaments are being made out of crepe paper.
Now as promised five tips for buying crepe paper.
· Make sure you buy from a reputable supplier that offers competitive prices and shipping and handling prices as well as some type of return policy, especially for crepe paper that arrives damaged. Be sure to read their damage control policy and follow it.
· Spend some time looking around at the different suppliers, you want one that offers a large selection of colors and if they have How To Books that’s even better. One of the worse things for a crafter is to be stuck with a ton of crepe paper and no book to show them how to make the flowers!
· Also take into consideration if the supplier is really serious about their business or are they just selling crepe paper to make a quick buck or some extra spending money? You want to find a supplier that has testimonials from happy customers, books, and other related items to crepe paper flower making for sale or free like a monthly newsletter or free patterns from time to time.
· Is the supplier professional? This is easy to answer do they offer a contact us option? Are they willing to answer your questions about their products?
· I saved the most important tip for last, you want a supplier to buy crepe paper from that meets EVERY tip listed above!
Jane Morris For the most and best descriptive books on How to Make Paper flowers and flowers for your wedding since the 1920's go to: http://www.ourpaperflowers.com My goal is to teach all who would like to learn this craft the best and easiest way possible with pictures, patterns and detailed instructions.