Quilling, or the art of paper filigree is a highly decorative and versatile craft. Its origins are not altogether clear, but can be traced back to the 15th century, when it was used extensively for the decoration of religious screens and panels. Through the years the craft has been practiced in many different ways. French Napoleon's prisoners left many fine examples of the art which can still be seen today in museums in Britain. They decorated boxes, tea caddies and even exquisite pieces of furniture. Young ladies of the 18th century were encouraged to do quilling as a refined and inexpensive art form. The term quilling derives from earlier times when nuns used the feathers of birds as tools to roll the paper strips. The craft has experienced a revival in recent years, and has many advantages today as it does not require any expensive equipment, and has a wide appeal among people of all ages.

A great variety of designs can be made by learning a few basic shapes. There are two types of tools available, the spilt tool and the needle tool. The split tool is good for beginners (I used it), as the paper is held in the slot and makes quilling very easy for everyone.