Heather Allard is a self taught artist in the meditative art form of paper quilling. Most of her training coming while recovering from an unexpected illness. Encouraged by friends and family, she continues to grow and learn about quilling and pushes herself to new heights of the artistry. She lives in Whitelaw, WI and works among the bees and maple trees along with her husband and family at their honey and maple syrup farm.
Like many forms of craft, paper quilling can trace its origins back hundreds of years to at least the 15th century (maybe earlier). It is believed to have been created by French and Italian nuns and used to decorate religious objects in an effort to save money. Allard is bringing paper quilling into the present with bold colors, whimsical designs and modern inspirations.
“The colors and shapes in my garden and changes of the seasons foster creative ideas to incorporate with the rich colors of the paper on my work table. I have found quilling to be extremely therapeutic and the repetitive nature of this artistic process is soothing to my soul.”