DIY Paper Shredder Quilling Strips

What are Paper Quilling Strips and why would I want to know how to make them you ask?
Quilling strips are the thin strips of paper used in a decorative technique know as Paper Quilling. 
Paper quilling or paper filigree is an art from that involves the use of strips of paper that are rolled, shaped and glued together to create decorative designs - thanks Wikipedia.

Paper Quilling Project 

Now to make your own work of art you can hand cut each individual strip of paper for your project as I did for the picture above.  This is a proven method and has worked for years.  However it takes lots of time and you risk having random size papers and aching hands when you are done.  If you look  you will see many of my leaves have difference in height, this was not intentional but rather a result of an uneven cut.  If you are looking to keep the same height for a smoother appearance you can try a much simpler idea like running the paper though a simple shredder.  The shredder will assure that your strips are all the same thickness.  And yes this will be my new method from now on.

Simple $2 lawn sale shredded that was actually free because I "borrowed" it from my sister.

You do not need a big expensive shredder that shreds millions of pieces of paper at a time.  A simple cheap shredder or a lawn sale find will work just as well.   Just choose your paper color, shred it up and your done.  You now have a bunch of evenly cut Quilling strips.

The Shredder does the work for you

Put the paper in the Shredder

Easy Peasy Quilling Strips

*Note*
These strips were made with regular construction paper for the purpose of demonstration.  A thicker card stock paper would prevent the fuzzy frayed edge you see in the photo below.  However the edge pieces of you new quilling strips will not be perfectly smooth using the shredder method.  Strips will have small marking from the shredder (see below) on them.  If you are looking for a perfectly smooth edge I suggest the razor cutting technique for your quilling strips or purchase them already cut from a supplier.

Textured edge from the shredder