A Leader in the Quilling Community

Last Sunday, I came across a piece in the morning newspaper about a quiller by the name of Pat Caputo in Enfield, CT. Quilling is a craft where thin strips of paper are rolled, pinched into various shapes, then arranged together into an infinite number of arrangements and configurations to create some beautiful pieces or artwork. I was so impressed with Pat’s story in the newspaper that I called her and she agreed to do an interview with me.

Pat has been quilling for over thirty years and began when she was home raising her children. It is a craft that she fell in love with, but as time went on, she found it more difficult to find quilling supplies at local craft shops. But instead of letting this problem deter her, she used it as an opportunity to strengthen her relationships with major quilling suppliers and to bring quillers together by starting her own business in 1981. Whimsiquills offers quilling supplies, patterns, teaching and reference materials, and useful information that would otherwise be difficult for crafters to find. She also showcases many of her gorgeous pieces on her website, and you can see some on the video below:

Because of her leadership and passion for her work, she has gotten involved in a number of quilling projects. For example, she became one of the founding members of the North American Quilling Guild, has hosted and led quilling workshops, and her work has been featured in The Book of Paper Quilling, Paper Quilling, The Weekend Crafter Series, and Family Circle Magazine. In addition, she started a blog for quillers everywhere to ask questions, share their thoughts, and to present their work in the hopes that it will help to generate new ideas and expand the quilling community.

Today, Pat gets orders, emails, and cards from quillers from all over the World. She loves her work and it’s easy to see why she has been such a success. I’m so happy that I took a chance and had the opportunity to meet Pat. Over the years, I have developed a much greater appreciation for hand-crafted items, and the crafters themselves. As I was thinking about why that is, I realized it’s because of my much greater appreciation, these days, for the value of time. And if someone chooses to use their time creatively to make something that will bring joy to others, then I am so grateful. Because as far as I’m concerned, there can never be enough beauty in this World. Thank You Pat!!