Making Mechanical Cards: 25 Paper-Engineered Designs

The tradition of sending loved ones greeting cards goes back about 200 years and is more popular today than ever before. With a greeting card being the gift of choice for so many occasions, people are for ever on the look out for one that the recipient won't have seen before. Because this is no easy task, the creatively minded amongst us are choosing to make their own cards. There are many books demonstrating how to make basic cards, but this book goes a considerable step further in showing how to make cards with mechanisms. The mechanisms are based on Victorian and Edwardian designs, and vary from the verysimple to the really intricate. But the step-by-step instructions and diagrams provided make even the most complicated form of mechanism achievable. In addition, the materials and equipment needed to make these impressive cards are not extensive or specialist - the main requirements are card, glue and scissors, with wire or thread for the more complex designs.

Handmade cards are more special than store-bought ones—and these charming mechanical cards stand out among those that are hand-crafted! Mostly based on Victorian and Edwardian designs, these patterns feature exquisite paper engineering, including pull-tab butterflies, bouquets, fans, and scrolls; dissolving pictures and kaleidoscopes; and sweet Venetian blind variations. They vary from the very simple to the really intricate, but the step-by-step instructions and diagrams make even the most complicated ones very achievable. Make a puzzle purse, a box stage with musicians playing, and adorable animals in a revolving wheel.

Sheila Sturrock was taught the mechanisms demonstrated in this book by her father during World War II; the projects therefore illusrtrate her lifetime's interest in paper engineering. Sheila's skill and craftmanship doesn't stop there, though; she is also the author of the highly successful Celtic Spirals and Celtic knotwork Designs.