WYCINANKI

Objectives:- to exercise tiny muscles in one`s hand- to improve one`s creativity

Children age: It is perfect for people between 4 and 104 ;)

Time:About 15 minutes.

Wicinanki in Poland

Polish wycinanki became a popular folk craft in the mid-1800s.

The first wycinanki were made by Jews. Wycinanki were (and still are) colourful. Jews put them in theirs windows on Szawuot (means Green Holiday).In polish culture (in XIX and XX century) wycinanki were using as a decoration at home. When people celebrated important moment for the family they glued them on the ceiling. They believed that wycinanki have a magical power. Nowadays the most popular wycinanki are from Łowicz, Kołbiela (cities in Poland) and Kurpiowszczyzna (region in Poland).

Appearance and themesWycinanki were made by leather, nowadays we use a paper. They use different kind of symmetry. They contain rhythmic repetition of motifs in horizontal or vertical systems. Subject matter includes: peacocks, roosters and other birds, circular/ star-shaped medallions, flowers etc.Wycinanki is an inexpensive art form. They can be use as a window decoration, notecards, bookmarks etc.

How to make Wycinanki?

Picture Description

Prepare a paper size A4.Cut ¼ of it (you should get a piece of paper size 29,5x5cm).

Prepared piece of paper (the small one) fold in half.

One of the piece fold in half one more time.

The second too.

When you prepare your first wycinanki better is to draw the style and then cut it out. When you get some experiences you will not need to draw the style before cut out.

Now cut the prepared style.

When we cut the style we can put (glue) it on colorful paper. Now our wycinanka can be a bookmark.

Picture Description

Prepare a paper size A4.Cut 1/2 of it (you should get a piece of paper size 29,5x10cm).

Prepared piece of paper (the small one) fold in half.

One of the piece fold in half one more time.Do the same with the second.

All fold again.

Draw the style. You have to be careful. All draws elements have to stick the bank of the paper. Otherwise the wicinanka will fail.

Now cut the prepared style.

Carefully unfold the wycinanka.This kind of wycinanki can make a long chain.