Interview with Squirrel Tacos
We recently interviewed Casey Lynch of Squirrel Tacos to learn more about her incredibly detailed, hand cut paper art that brings the magic of nature into your home!
Read on to learn more about her process and what inspires her designs! She has even used our Cardstock in some of her designs, and we love seeing how she can turn a simple sheet of paper into an intricate work of art!
Tell us about yourself.
“I am a paper artist, though my art degree is in ceramics. I grew up in Philadelphia but now live on a small farm in New Jersey. I’m fortunate to have a studio at home so I can keep an eye on our ever growing yard of animals. My work is based on trips to national parks and enchanted forests.”
How did you begin creating with paper?
“I was obsessed with papercutting the first time I saw a very large, very elaborate piece in person. I went home that day, bought supplies, and taught myself. I spent a long time making terrible work and mistakes, but very happily.”
Squirrel Tacos is a very unique and interesting name. Where did it come from? And, what’s it all about?
“We feed a whole host of wild animals in our yard, one particular squirrel has a love of corn taco shells, so I named the company for him.”
Why hand cut designs over laser cut or other assisted crafting technology?
“I prefer traditional techniques over modern. Additionally hand cutting each piece forces me to spend more time creating and planning a project, I find when I have access to limitless possibilities I make work that is less meaningful and less thoughtful. So, the longer, more detailed processes suit me better.”
Where do you get your inspiration to create your designs?
“My ideas come from daydreams mostly, occasionally I pull from folk lore.”
How long does it take for you to complete a hand cut design? What was your most challenging project?
“Some can take weeks, I create layered animal portraits and those take many many days. While other pieces can take under an hour.
The most challenging projects are the 8 layered portraits, my goal is for them to appear as black and white photographs from a distance and topography close up.”
Any advice for someone interested in learning how to make hand cut crafts?
“Try everything. And use your existing skills to make the craft your own, make work only YOU can make.”
With all of the different options available to express one’s creativity, why do you choose paper?
“This sounds odd but it calls to me, paper and I have a very long and lovely relationship.”
What other projects/endeavors are you working on?
“Currently I am making ornaments for the Philadelphia Museum of Art and creating a collection based on some of my favorite pieces in their collection.”
Shop Casey’s amazing handcrafted artwork now on squirreltacos.com, and be sure to follow her on Instagram and Facebook.
Interested in working with us? Visit our Become an Influencer page.
Follow us @printworksdiy on social media for more craft inspiration, and visit our Store to check out the rest of our product line.
