I’m getting excited about paper craft. 3D paper craft in particular. I’m going to go all out there and predict big things for paper craft in 2012. The growing popularity of craft in general means that more people are willing to give “making” a go. And paper craft is perfect for that. Within a moment of picking up a piece of paper it can be cut, moulded, folded, glued, bent, stuck, stitched and layered. It’s inexpensive, not messy and by following simple instructions you can have made a beautiful 3D model in minutes.

But let’s not undermine the craft. If you’re serious about paper you’ll have heard of Origamic Architecture, developed by Professor Masahiro Chatani in the 1980′s. Mind boggling paper reproductions of buildings, graphic images and every day objects. You can’t help but be inspired by it.

 

And there’s then my personal favourite paper craft genius Linda van Breemen who’s YouTube channel Dutch Paper Girl will have you itching to expand your paper craft abilities.

But where do we go if we just want to have a bit of fun – to dabble in paper play? This book made it into our house over Christmas and there’s not a week goes by that I don’t find a new papertoy monster on the mantlepiece made my any one of the other four Barnes’ (The papertoy monster tumblr is well worth a look).

But if monsters aren’t your thing and you fancy something really simple, this Kids Crafternoon Papercraft book from Hardie Grant is full of kooky little designs to get you started (it’s not just for kids!).

For inspiration, paper gifts and great little paper craft PDF’s you’d do well to look at our very own Folksy. HappyThought Paper Crafts created a brilliant reindeer design that went down a storm at Christmas and for those of you throwing a Burns Supper this week the Burns Night Supper Companion is a must.

Tom Cockeram of Folksy shop Tang Mu’s Paper Toys created a series of original articulated paper toys focussing on women warriors from across the ages. If you like your paper craft to have a little attitude, the Marfusha range is for you.

And last but by no means least. If you love the look of paper crafts but don’t want to dabble, there’s Bookity and her gorgeous paper accessories (drool).

I hope this is a good year for paper craft. Not just so I can put my hand up and shout “I said it would be!”. But because it’s fun, and accessible, and cheap, and limitless, and inspiring and quite frankly it’s just brilliant.