by Sarah Billman for the University Libraries Green Team

The Penn State University Libraries Green Team was created to provide leadership for “green” initiatives and to promote environmental sustainability in the University Libraries. Recent initiatives include Cleanup Day, recycling efforts, reducing waste at University Libraries events, offering green options for supplies orders, and outreach efforts to Libraries departments and other University green committees and groups.

This month’s Green Tip features an interview with Jacque Quinn about her crafts, some
items pictured above, made from recycled paper.

How did you get started?
When I worked part-time at the Music and Media Center in the Arts & Humanities Library, in between assigned projects, I would create bookmarks using the leftover book jackets. It was encouraging to hear feedback from faculty, staff, and students about the bookmarks, and the other paper crafts grew from there.

How did you start making stars out of book jackets?
I started experimenting with some origami and paper craft patterns and designs to use the new book jackets left over from the displays in the Arts and Humanities Library.

As the holidays got closer, I started making hanging stars to decorate the ceiling above the MMC. Everyone seemed to like them. I was ready to take them down before the start of the new semester, but everyone wanted them to stay up. So, they stayed up. Everyone, from the department heads to unit supervisors, have been very supportive of using recycled book jackets to create paper art.

What qualities do you look for in a book jacket or what makes it good for art?
The paper itself sometimes lends itself to a design. Sometimes the pattern or picture speaks to me and the design evolves around it. Sometimes the size and shape limits the design. Sometimes the weight or the finish decides what I can create with the paper.

Do you consider yourself to be a crafty person?
Yes; however, it’s because I can’t waste stuff. I have a hard time letting go of things, especially nice paper. I always have my eye out for nice paper around the library, and it’s helpful that the paper and cardboard recycling is right outside my cubicle here in the Bindery Department.

What advice would you give someone who’s just starting to craft?
Keep it simple and practice first. Start with scrap paper of similar weight of the paper you want to make your final piece out of and don’t be afraid to make mistakes.

What sites do you recommend for instructions for creating recycled or upcycled art?
Go Origami and Pinterest are good places to get started. Honestly, it usually comes down to needing to use supplies that I have on hand and starting to search from there. Over time, I found that book covers don’t lend themselves well to origami because of their weight or texture and paper craft is more two dimensional and I’m drawn to the three-dimensional designs.

Is there anything else you would like to share about recycling/upcycling crafts?
Just…go for it. If you see something there, make it happen or figure out how to do it. Just try something-don’t be afraid to make mistakes. With paper, if you need a little bit of glue to hold something together the origami police are not going to come by and give you a “B-“ instead of an “A.” And, experiment around with different designs and paper types.

Be mindful of your materials and have fun!

Links to learn how to make these items:
Hanging stars: http://www.themagiconions.com/2009/12/make-hanging-christmas-stars.html
Kusudama flower: http://www.origami-instructions.com/origami-kusudama-flower.html
Hexa star: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYY0sx2P8tY
Gift bag: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWXa9ZO2U4g