Cartonnage is not just another "hobby" that you would tell me you don't have time for... nope! It's a traditional method of creating amazing boxes and other projects out of paperboards (chipboard, poster board), cover them with paper or fabric and having not only beautiful but also functional projects.
That is the definition of Cartonnage - "The art of Box making", as it was originally created in France back in the 1800s. Very popular in many countries, the method is getting noticed here in US as well, because it's not only fun to make, but also gives the opportunity to craft and fabric lovers to create one-of-a-kind projects without any sewing, in a quick and easy way, using simple materials.
I'm Claudia Squio, cartonnage designer and teacher here at ColorWay Arts. I started teaching cartonnage more than a decade ago, and I'm also the author of the book - Cartonnage Basics & Beyond. During this time I have been sharing this wonderful method with thousands of fabric/craft lovers from all around the World, and I feel that we are not only making boxes.... we are actually making unique memorable gifts! As fabric is a real passion for me, my expertise is in the creation of boxes and other projects all covered in beautiful fabrics!
Talking about beautiful fabrics, when I started teaching cartonnage, one of my students were always bringing these unique, colorful, vivid fabrics to make her boxes. At that time, I didn't know the designer, and as they were all about dogs (and I'm a cat lover!), then, I didn't pay much attention. But with time, I started seeing other of her designs and when I found the feline collections from Laurel Burch, oh my....I knew I was about to have tons of fun with those fabrics!
So, even though I have done boxes and other projects using Laurel Burch fabrics, I wasn't familiar with her story.... only once I opened a retail shop and started selling fabrics that I started being more interested in the story behind the fabrics. And this one, is a fantastic story of love, encouragement, peace and JOY! The more I read about Laurel, the more I love her and her designs!
Recently we received in our shop the new Laurel Burch collection "Fantasticats" and I can't stop using them to create wonderful fabric boxes! So, now I decided to share not only my boxes, but the story behind the fabric designer. I hope you liked it! And at the end, you will get my invitation to join our next FREE Cartonnage Webinar, where you can learn more about this amazing method.
Laurel Burch was a self-taught American artist known for her vibrant and whimsical designs, which often feature bold colors and imaginative motifs of animals and nature. She said that the purpose of her art was to inspire living from the heart. She wanted to create gifts that celebrate life in the most intimate and precious way possible, for ourselves and for each other. In her book "Fantastic Felines" Laurel says that through her art she could communicate with cultures all over the world, and that within the images she could express shared values and a love for life that could link us all together, at the heart.
"Reach for your dreams....follow your own special star.... The magic of the cosmos is within you...."another beautiful writing of her in the book. Laurel certainly left this world way too early but not without gifting us a beautiful legacy of color, imagination and love.
She said that "Through creative imagination, almost any part of life's journey - whether joyful or challenging - can be shared in positive and meaningful ways. "
Laurel was born in 1945 with a bone disease - osteopetrosis - that would make her suffer over 100 fractures in her bones throughout her life. Laurel left this planet in 2007 and her children Aarin and Juaquim continued their mother's legacy. You can read more about her life and art in their website, clicking here.
I encourage you to also watch this video telling her story, and to see her painting, creating and making beautiful arts even when she was in pain....she said that even in pain she would still keep painting beautiful colors as she only wanted to share things in the world that would lift people, she wanted to convey hopefulness and brightness and goodness.
I so relate with Laurel's beautiful arts and messages. When I found this next quote in her book, I felt even more connected as she says: "Each piece of art fulfills it's greatest purpose when it enhances a person's life or finds its home in someone's heart. The magic continues when this feeling is shared with a loved one or friend".
And that's also the main message I always want to share through my arts and teaching - that putting our hands on glue to make beautiful boxes is way more than just a crafting fun time, it's a way to celebrate life, to give our family gifts that will tell stories, that will give them roots and leave them a legacy of love, peace and JOY!
One of the most important needs of all human beings is feeling loved, connected, being part of, and our handmade gifts have such a unique part in this. Make your kids, grandkids some functional boxes, make them a book and tell them your story, leave them favorite family recipes, albums, jewelry boxes with valuable keepsakes. Tell them through your gift that they are loved, that they matter, that they belong.
Cartonnage gifts can be made with any of your favorite fabrics. In today's post I'm sharing the unique Laurel Burch creations and story, and later I will share other of my favorite designers. Let us know your thoughts in the comments, how do you like Laurel Burch, who else is in your list of favorite fabric designers?
And as I said, we are having a 2h-FREE Cartonnage Webinar on April 23 and 24, 2025. Join us and I will tell you all about this incredible technique and how you can start gluing your fabrics right away and creating amazing gifts for yourself and for the most important people in your life! I can't wait to see you there, click here to learn more and Register for FREE, let your friends know, and if you like this content, share with your fabric lovers friends - because there are so much more we can make with our fabrics - limitless possibilities for any scrap of it!
"Look at the world through the eyes of your heart, speak to the world with the voice of your heart". Laurel Burch
See you soon,
Much love,
Claudia
PS: Laurel Burch's book mentioned in the post: Fantastic Feline, Laurel Burch, 1997 - Chronicle Books.