Paper dolls: Colorful and unique handicrafts created by Kreasikertas, which groups people who love to make paper crafts. Courtesy of Kreasikertas

Like magic, old brochures, newspapers and parking tickets can be transformed into unique and colourful crafts that are not only interesting but have high aesthetic value.

Members of the Kreasikertas community — founded by Revi Devi Paat, a 32-year-old expert on paper craft — give new meaning to old material.

Started in 2005 with a mailing list, its members have worked diligently to build their knowledge of paper crafts by developing many different techniques.  

The group began with origami but soon moved to kirigami (the art of cutting paper designs), kusudama (decorated origami balls) and paper quilting (the art of rolling, bending and pinching paper) through to making Japanese Washi paper dolls.

It is easy to fall in love with the handicrafts this group indulges in. If you have time to browse Revi’s website (www.revidevi.com) you will see the reason.

Using only paper, scissors and glue a person can make many types of beautiful goods including greeting cards, bookmarks, gift boxes and dolls.

Revi first became interested in paper craft in junior high school.

The reason, she said, is that making paper craft does not require much money and the materials can easily be found — from torn sheets of newspaper, pages out of magazines and even theater tickets.

“When I am waiting to have a meeting with my friends in a shopping mall, I like to do good craftwork using the brochures handed out by sales promotion girls…,” Revi said.

It started as a hobby but Revi soon became highly skilled at making all sorts of decorated goods from papers.

The passion led Revi, who was at the time an employee with an advertising company, to write a book about decorated origami — it sold like hot cakes and she has since written 39 more.

She got many e-mails from readers who wanted to get advice on the best way to make paper art directly from her.

On the initiative of her readers, she started a mailing list in 2005 for people who enjoy paper creations.

Apart from exchanging tips and advice online, the real world group’s members hold a workshop every month, or even sometimes twice a month, with Revi as the teacher.

Since many members are interested in making origami and Washi dolls, most of the workshops center on the two handicraft-making skills. Sometimes Revi also holds workshops on how to make other goods like bookmarks and cards.

“In order to produce more varieties, we sometimes don’t just use a single technique but combine many other techniques at the same time. For example, the decorations for the Washi doll dresses are made by using the technique of paper quilting or kirigami,” Revi said.

Workshop participation is restricted to between 15 and 20 people due to the limited availability of space.  The participants are required to make a contribution which varies according to the cost of the materials being used.

She said that she makes sure to use authentic Washi paper for the Washi doll workshops.

“Apart from the beautiful designs, Washi paper isn’t easily torn. So it isn’t easily crumpled if incorrectly folded,” Revi said.

Washi paper is not easily obtained, it’s found only in special bookshops such as Kinokuniya. The price also takes a toll on the pocket. For one roll of Washi paper, the price is around Rp 100,000 (US$9), depending on the quality of the paper and the exchange rate.

“It’s better to buy Washi paper as a group so all the people can have many sorts of designs. If you buy many rolls of Washi paper all at once to be used alone, the price can be quite expensive,” Revi said.

The craft-making attracts men and women alike.

“There was a man who became skilled and who came because of his girlfriend. But there are also those who come alone because they are interested in learning origami,” Revi said.

She said the works created by men usually have a masculine character — toy cars for example.

Outside the routine events, there are also themed workshops that are usually held on the eve of certain celebration days.

“These special workshops have a theme. So for example on the eve of Christmas we learn how to make Christmas ornaments from paper… It’s the same with Muslim celebrations and others,” Revi said.

When she has time away from promoting her books, Revi often invites the group’s members — who are mostly between 25 and 35 years old — to take part in exhibitions of their creations or competitions to design handicrafts from paper.

There are members who have turned their paper craft-making hobby into a business.

“There are also many mailing list members who accept orders to make paper crafts for wedding souvenirs or to put on display,” Revi said.

In 2007, she even opened a US-based online shop which sells between 20 and 30 Washi dolls a month. Each doll is priced for between US$5 and 20.

“Actually the demand is far greater than that. But I have a job writing books so I can’t focus on the business. If I have the time, I do it.”

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