★ Paper Cutting Art Tutorials | How to Cut Intricate Patterns in Paper | Projects for Beginners ★

Paper cutting is either done with a craft knife or scissors. Where an intricate pattern is cut out of a flat piece of paper, a craft knife is usually used, but where the paper is folded, small sharp scissors are used instead.

Paper cutting most likely originated in China, and Chinese paper cuts are flat (i.e. there is no folding) and are often done in red paper.

Japanese paper cutting is called kiri-e, and kirigami is the application of kiri-e to origami i.e. it combines folding with the paper cutting. Kirigami is where cuts are made on a folded base and this often produces a symmetrical pattern as a result. This is much the same technique that kids use to make paper snowflakes at school, but more advanced. Kirigami can also create more complicated results, including the creation of a 3D scene or sculpture from a single sheet of paper.

In Germany, paper cutting is referred to as Scherenschnitte, so it's worth Googling that term too :-)

For more background information click here.