Meet the Maker | Katie Powell
Article By Sahara .
Dec 10, 2024
The holiday season is the perfect time to embrace creativity, and nothing captures that festive spirit quite like the intricate craftsmanship of paper art. Meet Katie Powell, a talented paper sculptor and model maker whose journey began with a passion for hands-on artistry and a fascination with the versatility of paper. From childhood inspirations to designing captivating Christmas window displays, discover the story behind the artist who brought our festive window installation to life.
What inspired you to pursue paper art and model making as a career?
As a child I loved watching arts and craft shows, Neil Buchanan was a big favourite in our house. I studied graphic design at university, but I was more interested in making physical pieces with my hands. I remember a lecture by paper sculpture illustrator Gail Armstrong and I thought, I would love to do this as a job! Paper is also such a versatile material, you can pretty much make anything from it.
Can you tell us more about the creative process for designing and crafting the paper snowflakes for our Christmas display?
The right type of paper and GSM (the weight) was integral for the structure. The shiny mirrored paper really brought them to life and the rich gold, blue and purple colours reflect the bright and bold clothing in the store. The shiny colours also felt like a little nod to the old Quality Street wrappers. I added tiny lights to amp up the twinkling effect and to capture a warm, cosy feel.
Your creations often involve intricate details—what’s the most challenging part of working on such delicate designs?
The key is a lot of patience and a steady hand! But my cutting machine helps with some of the really tiny elements. I love getting lost in the details and could easily spend hours creating something really beautiful while listening to a juicy podcast or a good playlist - but you don’t always have the luxury of time with most jobs!
Do you have any favourite moments from working on this window display project?
Fanning them open at the end to reveal the scale and structure then turning the lights on. The reveal at the end is always the best part of the process for me, especially when you’ve spent hours making it.
What’s your favourite thing about creating art for seasonal displays like this one?
The prototyping stage, testing out different ideas and picking out the paper colours and types, it’s like being in a sweet shop.
How do you hope customers and passersby feel when they see your snowflakes in the window?
Hopefully the scale and bright colours will catch their eye and they will take a look, no matter how brief. As an artist I love going to see Christmas window displays and getting ideas for what I can make next.
How does the festive season inspire your artistic work, particularly in terms of themes and materials?
It’s definitely the time when you bring out all the sparkles and bright colours. The use of lights on this project was something I hadn’t really used before, so is something to consider on future projects now.
What does Christmas mean to you as an artist, and how do you channel that into your creations?
Christmas displays are always about the ‘wow’ factor so you can go overboard with the details and embellishments.
Do you have any personal holiday traditions or memories that influence your designs during the festive season?
I wouldn’t say there’s anything that stands out, but I do enjoy making personalised cards for friends and family… and obviously raiding the Quality Street tin!
From the meticulous prototyping process to the moment the snowflakes light up in full glory, Katie captures the wonder of the season with every fold and cut.
