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Care and Storage of Paper Quilling
Very often, people think that paper and paper products are fragile and will not last. While there is no doubt that paper is vulnerable to damage from handling and environmental agents such as light and dust, it can actually be long-lasting if properly covered and protected. The antique paper quillworks that we still see today, some dating back to the eighteenth century, is proof that with some effort on the owners' part to preserve the quillworks, paper can last for centuries!
The following guide to caring for paper quillworks can also be applied to other works of art on paper, including prints, posters, watercolour and drawings. Taking good care of your quillworks will not only prolong your enjoyment of them but will also help ensure their longevity.
(1) Mailing Quilled Greeting Cards
The most ideal way to deliver a quilled greeting card is actually by hand because that will ensure the card reaches its recipient in perfect condition. There is also the added advantage of meeting up with the recipient!
However, owing to time and travelling constraints, hand delivery may oftentimes prove impractical and post mail becomes the next best option. In order for a quilled greeting card to arrive in the mailbox in the best possible condition, some protective measures have to be taken.
A padded envelope, or simply a piece of bubble wrap placed over the card, usually offers adequate protection, under normal circumstances. Remember to write or print all details on the envelope before putting in the card, and to position the quillworks on the card away from where the stamp will be affixed. Indicating "fragile" on the outside of the envelope and requesting hand-cancelling of the stamp, if such a service is available, are additional steps to take, but not a must.
If greater protection for the card is desired, mail it in a cardboard mailer or a sturdy box with lid instead of in an envelope. The box should be of appropriate size so that the card does not move in the box during transportation. The closed lid of the box should also have enough height between it and the quillworks on the card to prevent the quillworks from being damaged by the lid.
Finally, as a gentle reminder just so the card does get to its recipient, pay the correct postage. The postage for a quilled card is usually different from that of regular mail so check with the local post office if unsure.
Avoid touching the surface of quillworks as paper easily absorbs oils and salts (perspiration) on hands and can be so damaged. Always wash hands before handling any quillwork and hold a quillwork by its frame or display case (for example, glass dome or acrylic box) whenever possible. Wearing white cotton gloves when handling quillworks is the most ideal way.
In addition, avoid eating, drinking or smoking near quillworks and keep pens, markers, flames and hot lights away.
Certain quillworks, for instance jewellery and accessories, are designed for use and frequent handling, so they are usually treated with varnish for durability. Nevertheless, taking simple steps to care for such quillworks helps in prolonging their lifespan. Keep hands clean when handling these quillworks, be reasonably gentle with them, and limit their exposure to light, heat and moisture. Do be advised that these quillworks, including quilled figurines or Jinisans (three-dimensional paper representations of people) are not intended for use or play by children. However hardy they may be, the small parts of the quillworks can be harmful if swallowed.
(3) Displaying Quillworks
There are a number of factors to keep in mind when selecting a location to display quillworks.
(a) Light
It is inevitable that quillworks are exposed to light when on display. Exposure to light, specifically ultraviolet rays in light, both natural artificial, causes pigments to fade and paper to discolour, and in some cases, become brittle and crack. Protection in the form of archival-quality framing can only slow down the process of light damage to paper. Light damage is irreversible therefore the following basic precautions should be taken to reduce the effects of light exposure to the greatest possible extent.
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Also bear in mind that a wall that is out of the morning sun may be in direct light in the evening, and a wall without sunlight in the summer may be in direct light in the winter. Always check the location during different times of the day and through the different seasons before deciding on it and/or changing to another.
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Use low wattage, conventional incandescent lamps (for example, ordinary household light bulbs) in rooms where quillworks are displayed. These light bulbs have no or low ultraviolet radiation content and as such, the light they emit is less damaging than that from fluorescent or natural light sources.
(b) Temperature and Humidity
Paper reacts greatly and adversely to changes in both temperature and humidity. High relative humidity causes paper to swell and expand, and the paper will appear wavy, or in the worst cases, wrinkled. Furthermore, exposure to prolonged periods of high relative humidity will make paper vulnerable to increased rates of chemical degradation and to mould growth. Similarly, heat speeds up chemical reactions that lead to the degradation of paper. To minimise damage caused by inconsistent temperature and humidity levels, the following points should be taken into consideration.
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Interior rooms will provide a more stable environment for the display of quillworks than rooms with outside walls. Locations that are open to the outside (that is, rooms where windows are open) will suffer from great fluctuations in temperature and relative humidity. Exterior walls will be, in certain seasons, colder and damper than interior walls in the same room.
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Kitchens and bathrooms are likely warm and damp, attics are usually poorly insulated and therefore prone to follow fluctuations of outside temperature, while basements are often cool and unacceptably moist. Temperature and humidity levels are not constant in these places and are hence unsuitable for displaying quillworks.
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Likewise, areas above or immediately adjacent to sources of heat or moisture, for example, fireplaces, hot air vents, heating or cooling units and radiators, suffer from wide fluctuations in temperature and humidity and are also unsuitable locations for displaying quillworks.
Good housekeeping in general plays an important role in maintaining a conducive environment for displaying works of art at home. Keeping artworks in pristine condition will also enhance your enjoyment of them.
To prevent accumulation of dust, always dust and clean your quillworks regularly. For quillworks without coverings of any kind, use a clean, dry brush with soft bristles for dusting. A small to medium sized brush with a fine tip may be more effective as quillworks tend to be small in scale. Dust gently but steadily. Avoid direct contact of quillworks with water.
For quillworks that are covered, use a soft cloth (preferably a microfibre cloth which provides lint-free and scratch-free cleaning) and a mild, non-abrasive cleaning solution for cleaning. Spray the cleaner onto the cloth and wipe the glass or acrylic covering of the frame or display case in a circular motion. Never spray the cleaner directly onto the covering as it can run between the glass/acrylic and the frame/display case, be absorbed by the paper and cause staining. As for the frame or the display case itself, the type of framing material used will determine the cleaning method. If a cleaner is required, always choose one that is suitable for the material of your frame or display case and follow the manufacturer's instructions on the label when using.
In addition, check the frames and display cases periodically, including the backs and bottoms, for dirt, dust, signs of mould or insect activity, and to ensure that hangers and hardware are secure. Certain insects and rodents, particularly silverfish, book lice and bookworms, like to feed on paper. The best defence against these pests is undoubtedly good housekeeping.
Even if they are not put on display, quillworks require the same care and caution as with those on display.
Quillworks in storage should be kept in a dark, clean dry location with adequate air circulation. Temperature and humidity levels should be moderate and constant. Never store quillworks in places such as garages, basements and attics unless the space is climate-controlled and free of household pests.
Framed quillworks are best stored horizontally in drawers or shelves. The same goes for quillworks in display cases, except they should be stored upright. No quillwork, even if covered, should rest directly on the floor. If shelves are not available, raise the quillworks off the floor by resting them on padded blocks.
Loose quillworks (that is, quillworks not covered in any way) are ideally stored in archival storage boxes that are made from acid-free lightweight card stock with reinforced corners. Avoid using everyday cardboard boxes for storage as these are made from wood pulp, and hence acidic and may damage the quillworks.
All quillworks in storage should also be checked periodically for dirt, dust, signs of mould or insect activity to ensure they are in good condition.
In the event that any part of the quillworks comes off, contact the original artist or a professional quiller to help with the restoration.
Should quillworks be damaged by way of spills or stains, insect activity and the like, or show signs of mould, consult a professional paper conservator for advice on the best possible treatment. Do be reminded that mould not only poses a hazard to the artwork, it can also pose a health risk to humans and animals.
All in all, repairs are best left to the professionals because it is far too easy to cause further damage to both the quillworks and the paper through inexpert treatment.
References:
• How to Care for Works of Art on Paper, 2008, Canadian Conservation Institute: Preserving My Heritage, www.preservation.gc.ca
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