Paper crafts get postal nod with 2016 Love series stamp

Copyright 2016 USPSThe U.S. Postal Service is celebrating paper crafts with the release tomorrow of a gorgeous 2016 Love stamp that features a heart made of the colorful paper curls from the process known as quilling.  

Also known as paper filigree, quilling involves tightly rolling and shaping narrow strips of paper around a thin metal rod. The resulting coils are then shaped and glued to a surface to form intricate designs.

The Quilled Paper Heart Forever stamp is the 44th inductee into the Postal Service’s Love stamp series, began in 1973, and 150 million stamps will go on sale at local post offices nationwide tomorrow.  

 “Our beautiful Quilled Paper Heart Forever Love stamp evokes tranquility, peace and love as Americans correspond with beloved friends and family while away from home," says Janice Walker, a Postal Service spokeswoman. "And they’re perfect for Valentine’s Day cards.”  

Renowned paper artist and illustrator Yulia Brodskaya carefully cut, rolled and bent paper strips and glued them to a white background to make the vibrant, three-dimensional artwork featured on the stamp. The central heart shape is filled with eye-catching paper coils and surrounded by white paper swirls.  

According to the Postal Service: "Quilling is believed to date from the 15th or 16th century. The first known quillers were monks and nuns in European religious houses. Inspired by metal filigree, quilling was an inexpensive way to create elaborate decorations normally beyond the means of most churches and religious orders. When gilded or silvered, the curled paper could resemble the work of the finest goldsmiths and silversmiths, while designs made with cream-colored paper or vellum appeared to be carvings of ivory."

The name quilling is believed to have derived from the base or "quill" of a feather, the earliest known tool used to curl paper. The craft has grown in popularity over the last 20 years, with options including beginner projects and more complex designs such as Martha Stewart's quilled cards. The technique has changed very little over time, and quillers only need paper, scissors, glue and a quill-like curling implement to start. For numerous ideas, look for books on the subject and search "quilling projects" online.

Stamp collectors have 60 days (postmark by March 12) to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service will return envelopes by mail. The first 50 postmarks are free, but there is a 5-cent charge for every additional postmark over 50.

To order, affix the 2016 Love stamps to envelopes addressed to yourself or others, place the envelopes in a larger envelope and mail to:

Quilled Paper Heart Stamp
401 Tom Landry Freeway, Rm 645
Dallas, TX 75260-9998

The seven philatelic products for this stamp issue include framed art ($39.95) and first-day covers (.93 cents each). All items are offered in the free quarterly USA Philatelic catalog, available along with Quilled Paper Heart stamps themselves at usps.com/shop or by calling 800-STAMP-24 (800-782-6724).