How to Make Wedding Certificate Scherenschnitte

Scissor Cutting Craft Brought to Us from Our PA Dutch Ancestors

In the spirit of keeping old crafts alive, preserving them for future generations Scherenschnitte (pronounced Sharon-sh-net) is the German word for paper cutting or snipping. Originally seen in Valentines and card artwork it, and still practiced today. Some of us have done this for valentines not knowing it was a craft of the ages. It was used to decorate birth and marriage certificates, Christmas ornaments and home decorations it was a craft that were passed down to generations to learn. History of the Scherenschnitte

Historically paper cutting originated in China between 200 BC and 200 AD, and then it was seen in Asia and Turkey in the 16^th century. It was brought over from Germany to America, known as Pennsylvania Dutch Colonial America in the 1700's and 1800's. You will see scherenschnitte in crafters fairs in Pennsylvania as Mennonites and Amish used the art form to create love letters or love knots which became a part of their heritage. Styles of Scherenschnitte

Many different styles of scherenschnitte that have been used all over the world as the Chinese art is Jianzhi; Japanese art is Kerie, a variation of origami, Kirigami and Monkiriinvolve folding and cutting paper. Papel picado Paper is the Mexican art of paper cutting. Scherenschnitte is German or Swiss art of paper cutting. Wycinanki is the polish version of paper cutting. Silhouettes

Silhouette is cutting portraits or shadows onto black paper, used before there were cameras for photographs. Men were the first ones to use this craft standing on the streets they would cut out silhouettes for a penny to people passing by on the streets. Silhouettes were also done in a studio by formally standing in front of a screen and light. In the 18^th century English silhouettes of the time were painted, not cut. A life-size shadow was made then reduced with an instrument known as a pantograph. Their skills were in painting they would use soot, lamp back on plaster or glass, and then would drag out essentials with diluted pigment.