The Heart kit is one of our easiest and quickest kits to build. In addition to getting the kit by itself, you can also get the kit with a birth month flower drawing done by Justine Gabreski (half of the team here at Resident). It's $30 for the combo - see more here.
Put on some favorite music, pour a glass of wine, and light a candle. This is about being romantic! You're building something together to celebrate quality time. We recommend having one person fold the pieces, the other person gluing them together. Remember some of your favorite moments from your relationship together. Talk about what's made you laugh the most. What moment(s) make you feel most loved? This is about reflecting and enjoying what you've built together in your relationship!
Even if you do have a romantic partner, we could all use some reminders of all the things we love about ourselves! Same setup as above, but while you're building, you reflect on the things you love the most about yourself. And then you write them on the heart. This is a physical embodiment of you when you're done - fill your heart with all the things you love most about yourself!
Once your Heart is built, it could continue to be an art project for you. Adding stickers or paint to it is an awesome way to further customize your own unique Heart. Also a great way to bring kids into the making process!
It just takes a push pin to hold the Heart up on the wall. Place it in a spot that makes it special to you. Maybe it needs to be near your side of the bed so you can see all the things you love about yourself every night and morning. It could be hung where you spend the most time with your sweetie. It might be in the bathroom because... that's where it looks most splendid.
Whether or not you celebrate Valentine's day, we want to celebrate love in all it's shape and forms. So this doesn't have to be for Valentine's - get in whenever you feel like it! All types of love are valid - for yourself, your pet, your family, and anyone else special to you.
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Crafting with construction paper should be a creative haven for every adult — a time to destress, relax, and let your creativity blossom. Plus, it gives you an excuse to head to Michaels, Jo-Ann, hobby lobby, the Dollar Tree, or whichever craft supplier is your second home. If you'd prefer to ditch the store and its chaos for a more anxiety-friendly alternative, there are plenty of DIY paper crafting kits you can get delivered to your door.
But, when you arrive home after a bit of — online — retail therapy, deciding what construction paper projects to pursue is the hard part. Thankfully, this guide on construction paper art should help you choose a worthy project to tuck into.
Construction paper is thicker paper than your traditional printer paper. It's typically a type of cardstock paper that is thicker so it's stronger, better able to hold it's shape when you are crafting with it. A lot of the terms are interchangeable - construction paper, cardstock, etc.
Although it's an excellent hobby or pastime, the construction paper crafts you'll most enjoy are the ones you can use to decorate or give as gifts.
Who doesn't love a bit of seasonal cheer to excuse your passion for crafting?
If there's a time of year when over-the-top decorating is allowed and encouraged, it's the holidays. The holidays are the perfect opportunity to let your creativity out as decor or the centerpiece for your table setting. If you choose to do the trees in a monochromatic theme, they'll do well with any table setting.
This is one origami project where construction will hold up beautifully. The stars can become tree decor, part of your table setting, or hung around your home. Find a guide by looking up Nordic Star Origami or searching on Etsy for a maker.
If you're a lover of bunnies or want your Easter decor to have a personal touch, Harold the Rabbit is an excellent choice. Firstly, his lavender — the perfect color for Easter's pastels — and he shouldn't take you longer than two hours to complete, meaning you could have a forest of Harolds if you'd like.
But what if you want a handmade buddy just because, for no particular reason than to have them around? Remember Harold the Bunny? You don't have to pack him away after Easter. Instead, you can create some forest friends to keep Harold — and you — company. Harold, meet Lilly the Bird, Darius the Frog, and James the Feathered Owl.
Like Harold, Lilly is another beginner-friendly project. Lilly's gorgeous pattern was designed by artist Rachel Miller. Lilly's monochromatic look also means she should fit well into any decor.
Darius is an intermediary challenge. This big green fella shouldn't take you more than four hours to complete before you can add his sprightly pop of color to his friends.
By the time you've completed Harold, Lilly, and Darius, you'll be ready for James — a gorgeous wall decor piece that will watch over his other animal friends and share his wisdom with them. James is a paper craft project that needs patience, requiring you to tuck in for about four to six hours.
After you've created just one of these crafts, you'll never look at construction paper the same.
Welcome to our yearly gift guide! We get a lot of chances to meet makers from all over the country during a typical year at craft shows and being part of the artist community in Pittsburgh. This gift guide gives us a chance to highlight some of the artists and companies we enjoy and whose work we love. Be sure to check out last year's guide since all of those companies are still doing great work too!
Pittsburgh, PA
We've been seeing more and more of AJ's work the past couple of years. And we have been incredibly tempted to donate everything we own so we can restock with all his stunning pieces. He's been really fun to get to know as well! His work feels like painting on functional pieces. Somehow both art and useful. They could sit empty on your table and you'd love having their ambiance in the space. But they also function, yet it somehow feels a shame to use something so beautiful for something so simple like a bowl of cereal.
Pittsburgh, PA
We first met Mary Beth years ago at a Squirrel Hill Night market here in Pittsburgh. It was her first ever show and it was fun to connect with someone just starting out. Here we are years later and she is still creating fantastic, fun jewelry that features beautifully finished metals. You typically notice the patina's on her work since it's the most distinctive feature but she's also been exploring more whimsical shapes and designs.
Raleigh, NC
Justine discovered Pamut last fall and fell in love with their dedication to running a values-based business. Sustainability, inclusivity, and high-quality craft are at the forefront of all the clothing they make. Seriously - custom handmade clothing to order is the better alternative to fast fashion. Justine loves their masks and green Simone top that make her feel fancy. Follow them on Instagram for a great look into how they make everything.
Pittsburgh, PA
We've been friends with Myles and Heather for years. They've always made simple, beautiful, and functional ceramic work (now including more and more wood!). It's always a pleasure to watch and hear about their journey with new products and updated production processes. We've had our eye on a couple of their products but I think this year is the one where we finally add one to our kitchen. Most of our recipes do get saved on our phones so it'd be great to have an easy spot to display that while we are cooking.
Chicago, IL
We met Dosa (composed of three sisters) in Chicago back in 2019 and have greatly enjoyed their bath salts. With a brand new tub that year, it helped us to look forward to using it. It's the right combination of soothing salts and fragrances to make that bath A+.
Portland, OR
Bitters are to cocktails as salt is to food. Everything needs a little bit of salt of make the dish better. Every cocktail should have bitters to bring the flavors together! If you're an enthusiast of any type of cocktails, I'm sure you've seen bitters on the recipe and wondered if it's necessary. Maybe you even bought those crappy paper covered ones from the store. Getting good bitters makes a huge difference in your cocktails and we really like the ones made by our new friends Cindy and Jonn with Portland Bitters Project.
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Our friends Kier and Christopher have great products, packaging, and personality. As loose leaf fans ourselves (maybe even snobs...), T-We is a great place to go to cultivate more love for tea. Grab a three pack, laugh at the names, and enjoy a cuppa on a cold winter's day.
Sam Skelton is our neighbor just up the street here in Pittsburgh and a close friend. She makes industrial style jewelry by hand and is super giftable for yourself or a loved one. Justine particularly loves the necklaces featured above and has a ring made by Sam of a family heirloom star sapphire.
We use their dishwasher powder. Justine uses their body butter and deodorant. Tristan uses the cast iron conditioner. Lovett is another Pittsburgh based business that handmakes natural and EFFECTIVE products. Seriously simple ingredient list and they really work (did we mention they work well?). Super easy to get refills as well in their sustainable packaging.
We've known Lydia for about 5 years and she keeps innovating with new products. She hand dyes scarves and clothing like the sweater above (which Justine never wants to take off). Now based in St. Louis, she has recently opened a physical location with her sister called Cozy Shop in St. Charles.
Jera is a Pennsylvania jewelry artist who creates pattern based jewelry that is architecturally inspired. We always love the shapes and colors of her work. She's recently been doing more giftable metalwork (flowers and ornaments) for the holidays so be sure to check those out too!
Jen is a fiber artist based in Baltimore that draws (mostly) birds with her sewing machine. How cool is that? We have her oven mitts and a big portrait that is hanging on our wall. You can get purses, home décor items, aprons, etc. in great colors with happy little birds on them.
We always drool when we see the amazing fossils and natural stones Laurel features in her work (see photo above, wipe chin). Tristan loves buying her pieces so he can stare at them on Justine. Laurel knows how to highlight natural beauty with metalwork that enhances that beauty.
We literally just ordered more when we put this guide together. Particular favorite - the Bolivia + Almonds was excellent! Their chocolate is handmade in Wisconsin. They partner with cacao farmers all over to source their chocolate. Then they roast and grind them to create the bars. Do you know how cool that is that they DIRECTLY work with farmers? They tick every box of being sustainable, organically grown, supporting famers directly, and super super tasty.
And don't forget us here at Resident! We're giftable too for your crafty friends and family! Thanks for checking this out and have a great end to 2020.
Tristan & Justine
]]>Paper craft is the broad term for making objects out of paper. A lot of styles and practices fit under this general category so we'll take a look at a lot of them to see what qualifies. I think paper is really approachable because it's something everyone has experience with. It's inexpensive to start with and a very tactile material. Because of this it's becoming very popular. There's a ton of simple paper craft that's easy to do fast at home but I'm seeing a lot more complex work being done out of paper.
Source: Anna Trundle
Paper craft has an aesthetic, educational and therapeutic value. This art form is particularly popular with children because it's so approachable. It strengthens understanding of geometry, develops problem solving skills, promotes multi-cultural awareness, teaches patience and following instructions. Maybe most importantly, paper craft also serves as a medium to express feelings and have fun.
Source: Pippa Dyrlaga
Some common types of paper craft are origami, decoupage, card making, scrapbooking, paper flowers, quilling, paper making, paper layering and bookbinding. Here is a closer look at each of these:
Source: Pinterest
Perhaps the most famous paper craft practice, Origami is a Japanese art form that involves folding paper into objects. Traditionally, origami does not include the use of glue, tape, marks or scissors. The idea is to create a figure folding a flat piece of paper, with no additional tools. The most popular origami shapes are animals and flowers.
Source: thesprucecrafts.com
Decoupage is an art of gluing paper cut-outs onto the objects. The most common items to decorate include vases, bowls, pots, boxes, furniture, and plates. The tools needed for decoupage are pieces of paper, scissors, and glue. Decoupage papers are the papers created specifically for this art form, but you can also use cut-outs from magazines, origami papers, wrapping paper, and other types of paper.
Source: Charming Cards Designs
Card making is exactly what it sounds like - an art of making greeting cards. The cards are typically made with a blank card, ruler, craft knife, and glue. The most popular handmade cards are Birthday cards. The most rewarding thing about self made cards is that giving them to someone makes them feel special. It shows that you have been thoughtful and put in extra effort to congratulate them on the occasion.
Source: myphotobook.ie
Scrapbooking is very similar to cardmaking, except it involves working with blank book pages instead of greeting cards. Scrapbooking is an art of documenting personal memories by adding photos and memorabilia to the book pages. Scrapbookers use pretty much any embellishments you can glue or tie to the album: stickers, brands, ribbon, beads, sequins, stamps - wherever their creativity takes them. Digital scrapbooking is a relatively new form of scrapbooking that emerged in the digital age. Digital scrapbooking is a form of paper craft that involves digital tools and computer software. Digital scrapbookers usually use applications like Creative Scrapbook Assistant or Photoshop.
Source: abbikirstencollections.com
Who doesn’t love flowers? Paper flowers are, as you might have guessed, the flower shapes made of paper. Paper flowers are a beautiful decoration. You can also create a paper flower bouquet - it makes a pretty and inexpensive gift that shows your effort and thoughtfulness. And, unlike real flowers, they don’t die!
Source: Stacy Bettencourt
Quilling is a type of paper craft that involves taking paper strips, rolling, shaping, and gluing them together to create a decoration. Quilling originated during the Renaissance period, when the craft was used to decorate religious objects. Quilling has become more accessible and widespread with time, and now it is a popular hobby you can take up regardless of your religious beliefs.
Source: mtholyoke.edu
You can make unique pieces of paper by using recycled paper scraps, cotton, plants, and other materials. Paper making is a very sustainable practice. It provides a creative and enjoyable way for you to make use of your old receipts and junk mail! Recycling makes our planet cleaner and saves energy, which means paper making is a very environmentally-friendly craft.
Source: strictlypaper.com
The definition of paper layering is self-explanatory - it is an art form that involves layering pieces of paper on each other. While it is considered a unique art form, you can also use paper layering as a technique to add texture and depth to your card making or scrapbooking projects. Paper layering is also typically used in making paper flowers.
Source: blog.moo.com
Bookbinding is an art of assembling a book by joining pages together within covers. This practice is often overlooked because there is no need to bind books by hand. Bookbinding today is fully mechanized for all the books you find in a bookstore. You can find an already completed hard copy of any book you want online or in a store. However, it is important to look at bookbinding as an artistic expression. Some crafters also participate in the annual bookbinding competition, which again shows that the art form is still relevant.
I don't think we really fit any of the categories outlined above. Our work feels a bit like origami but we break all the rules. We are using paper in a structural way to create 3D sculptures. Should we make up our own category? Does it matter?
Paper craft is about making magic with paper. It is an umbrella of diverse art forms that allow you to transform paper into something beautiful. This process is very enjoyable, and paper craft projects are aesthetically pleasing. Paper craft is a good way to let out your inner artist and get creative. Paper craft is a good opportunity to channel your feelings into a project that is personal to you. From paper making to origami and to bookbinding, there are a lot of activities to consider if you are interested in paper craft.
Hope you enjoy exploring the rich world of paper crafting and it inspires you to get crafting!
]]>Walk us through your design process for this specific creation - what influenced the final work?
My current series “Seasons of Change”, which is influenced by Chinese calligraphy and the coming of Spring, was my inspiration from the start. The spirit of the work felt natural to incorporate into a design that connects flora and fauna into a Resident sculpture. The designs were painted instinctively with very little planning and without sketches, and I made one after another after another.
Did you run into any challenges when creating a design for a 3D paper product?
I was mindful that the sculpture would have hard edges and concaves so I painted the design sheets to create an allover effect without leaving too many blocks of negative space. As a three dimensional piece, the final sculpture naturally creates different perspectives that obstruct different parts of the painted design so I did not want to distract from that experience.If you had to choose one Resident to hangout with (or to hang in your house!) who would it be?
Tim the Mammoth has been hanging on our walls since Resident’s early days so he’s my guy! His tusks are something else.
Any podcast, album or show suggestions for our community to check out while they build their next Resident?
I listened to the podcast Dear Sugars with Cheryl Strayed and Steve Almond while working on these designs. The raw honesty and love they infuse into their advice to “the lost, lonely and heartsick” have a way of making me feel more free while creating. I switched between that podcast and Adele’s record “25”, and I was partial to side B crooning “Love in the Dark” with an extra sprinkle of vigor. I’ve always considered Janelle Monáe a powerhouse//treasure and after recently seeing her music video for “PYNK”, I know what my next record on repeat will be.
What are you working on next? Any suggestions for what we should be making next??
"I'm currently working on pieces that reflect the beauty in daily moments with the people and landscapes that draw me in. Two of my large-scale works capture moments when my husband, Sam, was enthralled by the flowers and foliage surrounding him. As for the next Resident designs, I grew up in the water as a swimmer so I’d love to see more aquatic Residents ‒ an octopus or stingray or starfish or seahorse!"
See our collaboration Donna the Painted Turtle here!
My name is Lydia Crespo and I am the owner/head maker at Argaman&Defiance.
Argaman&Defiance creates 100% silk scarves. We paint intricate patterns with water-based inks and naturally dye the scarves with pigments found in tree bark roots and leaves. From stitch to surface design, Argaman&Defiance creates every piece by hand.
Website - www.argamandefiance.com
Instagram - @argamandefiance
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/argamandefiance/
What made you interested in doing a collaboration with Resident?
I love and appreciate the work Tristian executes in every design. I couldn’t help but be inspired and want to add to it.
Walk us through your design process for this specific creation - what influenced the final work?
I wanted to create something that would encompass all the whimsy magic that Unicorn symbolize. A bright fluid design that would almost dance on the paper surface was the way to go.
Did you run into any challenges when creating a design for a 3D paper product?
I had to work fast so that the wet marbling ink wouldn't bow the paper. I did a few test runs and quickly found a rhythm that worked.
If you had to choose one Resident to hangout with (or to hang in your house!) who would it be?
Beverly the Rhino - But maybe that is cheating because she is already in my home. If I had to pick another it would be Louise the Giraffe.
Any podcast, album or show suggestions for our community to check out while they build their next Resident?
If I can shout out myself - I have been featured on a few podcast speaking about my work, process, collaboration, and chemistry!
What I listen to:
I want to focus more on items for the home. Artwork, plant hangers, throws, curtains, pillows. All things homey and cozy.
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"Some people like meditating, and this I guess is my way of simply not thinking about anything and just relaxing. I find Resident kits therapeutic to build and once they are complete, its like a breath of satisfaction.
Resident kits were designed with exactly this goal in mind-- to provide an opportunity for people to disconnect from their hectic lives and unwind with a project. Check out the rest of the blog for a look at Ashlee's current Resident collection and to glean some tips and tricks from this mega-builder.
Doesn't everyone have a closet that looks like this?
How did you hear about Resident?A few years ago, my partner and I were browsing my favourite online novelty mall, ThisIsWhyImBroke, and came across a thumbnail of a wall mounted animal head made from paper. Following the link took us to the Resident website where we found what I didn’t know at the time would be my new favourite hobby. My birthday was coming up, so my partner asked if I wanted one. A quick ‘YES’ from me found us buying my first papercraft kit.
What was the first creature of ours you created?
There were a good handful of designs to choose from and me being me, I chose the biggest, and most technical one to start off with, ‘cause you know, that’s the smart thing to do when you’ve never done something before. What can I say? I like a challenge.
Tim the Mammoth was my first piece. He wasn’t as refined when I bought him as he looks now, and I had a tricky time with the tusks. I actually built half a tusk inside out before I realised something was wrong, having to somehow dismantle it before trying again. Like I said, I like a challenge!
My most recent completed creature is Cecelia the Fox. A very fitting animal as it works very well with the woodland theme we created for our son’s nursery. She has an amazing shimmering orange colour and once built, a very elegant structure and very defined. She has to be the prettiest Resident I’ve completed so far.
What made you interested in building these?
Once I had finished the build, I was surprised at the size and the aesthetics of the piece, especially once hung – how the light hit it and the shadows the sharp edges created.
Where we lived at the time had a lot of large blank walls and I knew Tim needed a friend. My interest grew for them after I realised how much I enjoyed making the first one and the satisfaction of seeing a ‘flat pack’ turn into a 3D creation, much like IKEA furniture.
What is your craftiness level on our craft scale of 1 to 10? 1 being can’t build IKEA, 10 is crafting master
The craftiness scale indicator on the Resident website is pretty good at giving you an idea as to how hard or easy the piece will be to finish. When it comes to craftiness, I find that the awesome ideas I have in my head rarely turn out how I want them to or expect them to. Have you ever attempted a Pinterest project and failed miserably? That’s me! I’d say my craftiness level in my mind is a 10, but in reality, more like a 4. The Resident kits are very good at making me feel like a DIY craft master.
What is your process for completing a kit? Do you do it all at once or come back to it over several days?
When my kit arrives, I clear a space on a large table or bench; somewhere I know I won’t need to use for a while as I tend to go back over a few days and add pieces that way. I have completed pieces in one day before, but I prefer doing it slowly as it feels more satisfying once its done. It always amazes me how big the pieces are once complete, and I think that’s part of the reason I like to do them slowly – it adds to the anticipation.
What do you do while building a Resident kit? Binge watch tv shows, listen to music, podcasts (if you want to share any playlists or tv shows you watch, feel free!)
As I do like to take my time, I like to listen to things on YouTube while I build. It’s kind of therapeutic. My favourite things to listen to while building include Creepy Pastas and Joe Rogan podcasts. I have recently been into the TV show Black Mirror, so that’s another show I enjoy watching while creating these animals.
Any tips or tricks that you’ve found to make the build process easier/more enjoyable?
Recent kits have included a tongue depressor/paddle pop stick which I think is a brilliant move. It helps press tabs down in hard to reach areas. The more I use it, the better I like it. I keep a damp cloth or paper towel on my work space because your fingers get very sticky with glue. If you don’t wipe your hands often, it transfers to the piece and puts finger marks all over it. I also find when gluing pieces together, where possible, use a flat surface, like the table, to help create a smoother finish.
What is the #1 thing you love about building Resident kits?
The thing I like most about building the kits is the time I get to myself. Some people like meditating, and this I guess is my way of simply not thinking about anything and just relaxing. I find Resident kits therapeutic to build and once they are complete, its like a breath of satisfaction. I also very much like the reception they get when people come over and see them. I make them walk around my house and look for all of them!
"I very much like the reception they get when people come over and see them. I make them walk around my house and look for all of them!"
What would you tell someone who is considering building a Resident?
My number one tip on building a kit is don’t rush and take your time. The pieces look so much better when you take the time to make sure all the edges are straight and aligned perfectly. I have rushed before and I have been a little disappointed with the finished product. No-one else can see the errors, but I can and that’s a big deal. It’s a great hobby and worth the finished product.
What Resident paper animal would you like to see released next?
As an Aussie, I would love to see an Australian animal. A Koala would be cute as a free-standing piece, but personally I think a kangaroo head, or a frilled neck lizard would be awesome. I prefer the wall hangings over the free-standing pieces. I have a free-standing penguin and have found it hard to find a place for it to live. I plan on collecting all the pieces, so what ever is released next, I’m sure I’ll find somewhere for it to be put and admired.
]]>What made you interested in doing a collaboration with Resident?
I love the whimsical element of the geometric animal sculptures. I’ve also been making a lot of patterns as a method of meditation and practice. Applying these patterns to the animal “hide” was an intriguing idea.
"I love the whimsical element of the geometric animal sculptures."
This is the 2D print Rachel designed that we turned into the sculpture
Walk us through your design process for this specific creation - what influenced the final work?
It varied depending on the pattern. I thought of patterns that would look good on an organic object and could be appreciated even in segments
Did you run into any challenges when creating a design for a 3D paper product?
Even though this will be a 3D sculpture, my work was still very much in the 2D realm. It would be interesting to see if there was a higher level of customizability based on how the animal is constructed.
If you had to choose one Resident to hang out with (or to hang in your house!) who would it be?
Probably James the Owl. I’ve always been drawn to owls for their beauty and that they thrive in darkness.
Any podcast, album or show suggestions for our community to check out while they build their next Resident?
Honestly, NPR is always a good go to. Subject matter always changing, and it keeps me engaged. A few of my current favorite podcasts: Soooo many white guys, 99% invisible, Radiolab, and This American Life.
What are you working on next?
I've got lots of art in the works! I am working on collaborations with a couple artist peers. I’m also participating in #the100dayproject aiming to draw and write daily. Be sure to check out my Instagram (@rae_miller) which is dedicated to the artistic works.
"I love the idea of offering craft kits to adults, that we are never too old to create. It promotes the idea of slowing down, making something with your hands, and being mindful of the present moment, something I think we all can use a little more of these days."
Justine at work building James the Owl
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One of our favorite parts of working on Resident is seeing pictures and hearing from you guys on how your Resident paper sculpture builds go. Last month we chatted with one of our mega-makers, Scott White. Check out our interview with Scott to find out some of his expert tips and tricks for a successful build, what TV shows he watches while he constructs his Resident’s, and what his #1 favorite thing about our DIY Papercraft Kits is.
]]>Last month we chatted with one of our mega-makers, Scott White. Scott built Clark the Triceratops, his first Resident Paper Sculpture, in 2016 and has since added three more “Resident’s” to his home (Tim the Mammoth, Beverly the Rhino, and Fiona the Sabre-Tooth Tiger). Check out our interview with Scott to find out some of his expert tips and tricks for a successful build, what TV shows he watches while he constructs his Resident’s, and what his #1 favorite thing about our DIY Papercraft Kits is.
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Taking away the detail of the mouth and making it about 20% bigger made this fox easier to build without taking anything away from the design. Cecilia 5 is the final version that you can purchase today!
So what do you think? Did Cecilia improve from version one to version five? Would you have done anything differently? I hope this helped explain a little bit more about my design process and gave you a behind the scenes look at how each of our DIY animal paper sculptures come to fruition.