Library Features Unique Greeting Cards
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Clifton Forge, VA (July 19, 2017) - The Clifton Forge Public Library is featuring a display of decorative greeting cards from the private collection of Catherine Loy. Mrs. Loy designs each unique card using the Iris Folding Technique. Developed in the Netherlands, this art form involves folding, arranging, and layering strips of colored paper or fabric in a circular pattern that resembles the iris of a camera lens.
Mrs. Loy first learned of this technique in 2002 when her car required servicing. “I lived six years in the beautiful town of Branford, CT, with my son, but I never noticed this shop that sold greeting cards,” Catherine begins. “My son mentioned to me that there was a mechanic in this area, so I took a drive. I saw that the garage was set way back, so I parked my car in front of two small stores. One store was a florist shop. Next door to it was a store that not only sold unique, beautiful greeting cards, but also gave classes during the evening hours.”
Further viewing the cards through the window, she decided to inquire within. Asking to speak with the manager, she learned she was actually talking with the owner. “She was an elderly woman,” Mrs. Loy says, “who told me that she planned to sell her store and supplies within the next two years. Her son had absolutely no interest in keeping this store nor was he interested in extending the lessons for making the various cards.”
Fascinated with the briefing the owner gave her about Iris Folding, Mrs. Loy signed up for classes. “I also spoke to a few women I worked with and one of them decided to attend classes with me.” A long-time resident of North Branford, she and her husband had also never noticed this store. “We attended six classes,” Mrs. Loy says.
Well-prepared, the instructor “demonstrated how to use powder inks, and how to use a heating device to solidify the impressions made with various stamps on the cards.” Mrs. Loy learned that “three different types of tape had to be used – “repositional tape which has tape on both sides; regular tape; and, a tape that is sticky on both sides, but is not to be removed. For the center of each picture for each card, a hologram is used and there are various colors for this paper.”
An enjoyable hobby for Mrs. Loy, she says she makes “my own templates for the various designs with a clear plastic of 5 ml. One needs a stylet, paper punches and stencils. I have brass and plastic stencils. I have made cards with ribbon, which is more difficult. I try to purchase handmade papers, glitter papers and papers with a unique design. I have even used candy wrappers which are sold at craft stores such as Michaels."
“It took some time to first make these cards,” Catherine says. “It originally took me eight hours to make one card. It is best to have your papers cut, folded and ready to use.”
A little known art form, pattern books and supplies can be a challenge to find. However, Mrs. Loy says, “I purchased the hologram paper made by Yasutomo and Company from San Francisco, CA, but made in Japan. Their website is https://www.yasutomo.com and their e-mail is YanC@aol.com. One can obtain additional information at the Clifton Forge Public Library, and by searching the internet for ‘Iris Folding.’"
Catherine concludes, “My family and friends love these cards that I've made. Most that are on display are cards I made for my late mother...These are very beautiful and unique cards.”
The greeting cards will be on display throughout the month of July.
The Clifton Forge Public Library is located at 535 Church Street.
For information on any library program, call 863-2519. | | | | | |
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