Does Papercraft Count as a Handicraft?

Yes, papercraft is considered a type of handicraft. Handicrafts are typically defined as items made by hand, often involving manual skills and creativity. Papercraft involves creating models or art pieces from paper using techniques like cutting, folding, and gluing, which aligns well with the principles of handicrafts. It emphasizes craftsmanship and artistic expression, making it a valid form of handicraft.

What is Handicraft?

Handicrafts can be defined as traditional or folk crafts that are made by hand, often involving intricate techniques and designs. They are a testament to human creativity and skill, and have been practiced for centuries across various cultures. Examples include weaving, embroidery, pottery, and many others.

Origami and Paper Making

It is important to distinguish between origami and paper making. Origami is the Japanese art of paper folding, and while it is an exquisite handicraft, it is distinct from paper making. Paper making involves the process of creating paper from scratch, which is indeed a craft in itself but falls under a different category. Origami, on the other hand, is a specific type of papercraft.

What is Papercraft?

Papercraft is a collection of crafts using paper or card as the primary artistic medium for the creation of two or three-dimensional objects. It includes various techniques such as paper folding, cutting, gluing, and layering. Papermaking, while a related art, involves the process of creating paper itself, rather than using it as a medium for crafts.

Is Papercraft a Valid Form of Handicraft?

The extent and compass of handicrafts can often be broad, with some instances even extending to computer graphics when hands were involved in creating the program. As long as hands predominate in crafting, the product should be considered a handicraft. Papercraft, with its reliance on manual skills and creativity, fits this definition perfectly.

In my experience, anything that involves using your hands to create something is a craft. For instance, origami, making paper snowflakes and houses, and crafting hats and boats out of newspaper are all crafts. Origami is a craft in its own right, and making newspaper hats for children can be a fun and rewarding activity that teaches them valuable skills.

Types of Papercraft and Art

Papercraft covers a wide range of paper-based arts, including origami, kirigami, tissue arts, and paper mache. It goes beyond just being a craft; it can also be considered a form of art. Quilling, for example, is a beautiful art form that involves shaping and arranging strips of paper into intricate designs. Quilled items can be used to make decorative items such as paper bowls, flowers, door hangings, and flower vases.

Conclusion

Whether considering papercraft as a form of handicraft depends on the definition one adopts. In its essence, any activity that relies on manual skills and creativity to create something tangible can be classified as a handicraft. Papercraft fits this description and can be considered a valid and appreciated form of artisanal expression.