Dear Tom,

How are you? I'm glad to receive your letter and i'm sorry that it really took me a while to reply you.

in your last letter, you talked about paper cutting. I used to do it when i was very young but i do not do that nowadays. Paper cut is in fact a traditional Chinese folk art. Paper cutting is the first type of papercutting design, since paper was invented by Cai Lun in the Eastern Han Dynasty in China.

The art form later spread to other parts of the world with different

regions adopting their own cultural styles. Because the cut outs are

also used to decorate doors and windows, they are sometimes referred to

"chuāng huā" (窗花), meaning Window Flower.

There are two methods of manufacture: one use scissors, the other use

knives. In the scissor method, several pieces of paper — up to eight —

are fastened together. The motif is then cut with sharp, pointed

scissors. Knife cuttings are fashioned by putting several layers of paper on a relatively soft foundation consisting of a mixture of tallow

and ashes. Following a pattern, the artist cuts the motif into the

paper with a sharp knife which is usually held vertically. Skilled

crafters can even cut out different drawings freely without stopping.

Today, papercuttings are chiefly decorative. They ornament walls,

windows, doors, columns, mirrors, lamps and lanterns in homes and are

also used on presents or are given as gifts themselves. Entrances

decorated with paper cut outs are supposed to bring good luck.

Papercuttings used to be used as patterns, especially for embroidery and lacquer work. Papercuts are used by younger generation as a decoration for their kits and books.

I am glad that you are interested in paper cutting. there are some videos teaching how to make a paper cutting on youtube. Some websites and books also offer information on how to do so. Well, i hope you will enjoy the process and I am looking forward to seeing your work. Do send me a piece of your work when you are done.

Hope to hear from you soon. Take care.

Best regard,

Jack