PARCHMENT craft has been popular since the 16th century.
So for Noble Park resident Margaret Wayth and friend Faye Bennetto from Aspendale, there is plenty to talk about when it comes to a stylus and a piece of parchment paper.
Both ladies were on hand at the Royal Melbourne Show to promote the craft, and tools from the Pergamano range.
Margaret said she had been involved in parchment craft for three years, while Faye had been active for six.
Margaret demonstrated the technique of embossing the paper, by pressing a stylus into it to make it appear threedimensional when completed.
This technique can be used to raise surfaces such as flower petals, or frames if it is for a gift card.
Faye then whipped out a board which allows the craftsperson to punch tiny, but clean holes into the paper, and then produced a pair of tiny scissors which she used to cut small star shapes.
While both admit the craft can be challenging, they say it is inexpensive.
A starters’ kit is priced from $120 and can last “a lifetime”, according to Faye and Margaret.
Shaun Inguanzo
