I started this art around 1994. Having absolutely no ability to draw, paint or sculpt, it's a form of creativity that I can do without having it look like something a child did in kindergarten. The only other art I could do is abstract painting. I could look directly at my work and it STILL looks abstract.

I used patterns from a Scherenschnitte book I found in a craft store in Pennsylvania, to using images I found in newspapers, the web and so forth. I can even convert full-color photos into silhouette with as much detail as I needed. Now I use organic models in a program I use called Poser. From there, I import the image into Paint Shop Pro, add other elements, such as borders, put them together in layers, get the print size I need, run the craft paper through my laserjet printer, and I've got my final pattern.

I'm not a purist. I use scissors, but my fingers are usually too big for the scissors handle and I get more detail from using a modified exacto knife. It's taken me a long time to stop criticizing my own work. I've thrown many half-cut works out that probably could have been saved.

Anyone can do this art. If you've ever made paper dolls, or snowflakes in Grade school, then you've already done it. The more you put into your patterns, the more you get out of it. Never be in a rush. And by all means, do it when you can concentrate on it. If you've got a bunch of screaming kids and ringing phones, you'll never get to relax and enjoy your work. It's good for assisting in losing weight too. Your hands are busy and you don't want to damage your hard work with sticky, greasy fingers from munching on snacks.