How to Make Paper Mâché Corsets

At last! The Mermaid Room is open for corset tutorial enrollment! Paper Corsets part I and II are available for purchase in my Le Charmed Life Etsy shop.  These two videos go over what you will need to make the basic corset in any size or shape you want. It also includes a template file for use as a guide to help you get the corset shape perfectly sized or you can modify it to reflect your own personal style and character.

This tutorial includes parts I and II video instruction along with an instantly downloadable PDF file containing a dress form guide and supply list. Price of this tutorial is only $15.00. Enjoy!

The Whimsical Assemblages of Miss Clara

Some artists have the most divine way of expressing their creativity, it almost makes me cry. Miss Clara is a French artist and the creator of these enchanting little whimsical assemblages that begin with a simple box. These are a perfect example of design that is clean, simple and oozing with understated elegance.

le bon marché

The typography and flourish designs against a backdrop of a slightly distressed white washed wood are what really what excite me the most about these pieces. Add little splashes of color by placing miniature works of art inside and you've got instant gorgeousness. Something like this could make the perfect display for paper outfits.

Watercolor Paper Flowers

I recently discovered the works of French artist Lyndie Dourthe who has elevated the art of paper flower making to a level far beyond any I've seen so far. The word beautiful merely touches at the surface of the artistry and elegance with which Lyndie delivers her technique.

Subtle gradients of color that bleed ever so gracefully into one another is the equivalent of actually catching a glimpse of a mermaid, moon bathing on a mid summer evening. You know you've discovered something startlingly beyond the mainstream.

I'm not only captivated, I'm dazzled and inspired. Where can I learn how to make leaves and flowers like this? Without much effort, I was able to find a tutorial put out by 100 Layer Cake. These ladies do not go into any detail about how they are applying paint which is the key to the whole look so I'll probably spend some time experimenting and creating my own tutorial.

Humbled by Incredible Paper Art

Occassionally I come across an artist who just blows me away with what they can do with paper. Laetitia Mieral is one such example. She is a french artist so I can't read her blog Merveilles en Papier but I speak paper passion fluently.

visit Merveilles en Papier on Etsy

Would you believe these pieces are all done with paper mache? Standing head and shoulders above a sea of paper mache mediocrity and folk art, Laetitia takes mere child's play and transforms it into the awe inspiring work you see here.

Alice in Wonderland

It is moments like this that drive me to want to push my art beyond the confines of my limited thinking. Of course such an endeavor would require a healthy dose of "fear be gone." Can I get that at Home Depot? Ha!

Image Credit: Images remain the property of Laetitia Mieral and Merveilles en Papier.

Despoina's Incredible Paper Art

I cancelled my blog hop a little too soon because Despoina of Magnadi has put together a magnificent display of paper dresses to show off her use of the templates I provided over the past year. I am only featuring one of her dresses here in order to pique your curiosity into paying her a visit.

click image to see Despoina's line of paper couture

Despoina's paper dresses are not only creative, they are the perfect example of what it means to "borrow." It is possible to be inspired by others without the need to copy them. The result is the creation and development of your own, unique style. I applaud you my dear. Your art is truly incredible!

Image credit: Copyright Despoina of Magnadi

Pinterest Repin Etiquette

It has come to my attention that there are some who have embarked on a mass repinning of {my} (I have to use this term loosely) Pinterest finds. What I mean by heavily is 50 to 150 items at a time. Should I be offended by this? Haha! I'm afraid the jury is still out at the moment.

kell belle studio on pinterest

In the first place, most of these items/photos aren't even mine. I'm simply electronically hoarding photos of other people's great stuff so why then do I feel just a little bit robbed of my individuality? It's completely illogical because I should be thanking you and I am . . . kinda.

more Kell Belle Studio goodness on Pinterest

Here's the thing, I guess I wouldn't mind so much if the 150 items being repinned were actually MY items. This means items I have either offered for sale or for free. Really! My sidebar says I have great boards. I guess I wasn't kidding. :)

you've just got to visit Kell Belle on Pinterest

The screen shots are images of my most popular boards. So yes, here I am advertising that fact so I can get some more mass repinners. Am I a walking paradox of myself or what? What the hell, go crazy and pin away. You know you wanna so come check me out. (tee hee ;)

Get the Actual Boho Paper Shoe Template

Okay, I'll cough up the goods. If you want to follow along with me, you can get the same boho paper shoe template that I am using for just $5.00. The template includes everything needed to make the shoe pictured below which includes that awesome heel!

purchase the boho paper shoe template in the boutique

I put a lot of time into carefully crafting and perfecting my templates to ensure they will work when you put them together. I know you appreciate it so I thank you in advance for your support of my work. :)

Paper Couture XXIII: Sweet Lolita

Paper Couture proudly presents your sweet Lolita template for May. The printed template measures 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches. Click the image to download it at full size.

sweet Lolita template 

Need some skirt and embellishing ideas? This video will demonstrate how I put the skirt on this little beauty as well as what I did for final embellishments.

The paper wardrobe project will soon be coming to the end of its first year. I hope you will join me this July for the Fashion Week blog hop party. Enjoy!

Sweet Lolita in Pink Floral

Lo-li-ta! I love how sweetly that just rolls off the tongue. This sweet Lolita with her pink floral and white skirts will give you diabetes just looking at it.

sweet lolita pink floral paper art dress

She was a bit of a challenge with the over skirt but oh, the satisfaction that comes when I finally get it right is positively euphoric.

see other views in the Kell Belle Boutique

Do you love it? Look for May's paper couture template and video for embellishing sweet Lolita to come out in the next few days. Enjoy! ;)

Paper Couture Special: Here Comes the Bride

Paper couture proudly presents a special wedding edition outfit. Here comes the bride and she is indeed the vision of loveliness in a sparkling corset dress inspired by Alfred Angelo's Belle dress.

paper art wedding dress for sale in the Kell Belle Boutique

Glittered paper, patterned vellum and ever so delicate touches of pretty combine beautifully to make this a stunner of a Kell Belle original. This one's all for me girls, so no template for you. :)