Sandra Baughman

In 2012, surrounded by a cluttered workspace overflowing with beads and baubles from her many craft explorations, Sandra Baughman, a lifelong maker with an insatiable passion for creativity, asked herself, “What can I make this paper do?”

At that moment, she decided to channel her artistic energy solely into paper quilling, the one art form that had always fascinated her the most. She kept her paper but gave away all her other supplies, embarking on a dedicated journey into the intricate world of quilling. Since then, Sandra has truly flourished in this delicate and expressive art form.

Quilling involves rolling, looping, curling, twisting, and otherwise manipulating strips of paper to create shapes, which are then glued together to form unified, decorative designs. The name “quilling” is believed to originate from the use of birds’ feathers, or quills, to coil the paper strips. It is widely believed that quilling started after the invention of paper in China during the Eastern Han period (25-220 CE).

Sandra’s distinctive style draws a crowd whenever she participates in an art exhibition. Her attention to detail and obsession with reinterpreting images of birds, animals and botanicals by matching colors and textures as closely to reality as possible drive her work.

“In my studio practice, I fall into a flow where 4 hours feels like 40 minutes,” says the Ashley, Indiana, resident.

Sandra has served on the board of the North American Quilling Guild, a group of enthusiastic and dedicated quillers with one mission: to promote the art of quilling and pass its rich tradition on to future generations. Through her involvement, Sandra continues to inspire others and contribute to the vibrant community of quilling artists.

“Becoming an Indiana Artisan changed everything,” she says, adding that the designation not only provided a sense of validation but also brought her significant recognition. Participation in both the Marketplaces and the Indiana Artisan stores has expanded her audience and sparked a lively interest in her work, as well as the ancient art of paper quilling.