When Paper becomes Art

Kristen Andrews makes paper come to life as art.

Her popup paper art pieces are graced with images ranging from nature scenes to Port Washington’s iconic lighthouse among waves with St. Mary’s Catholic Church on the hill in the background. Intricately assembled, they are fascinating in their three-dimensional look.

The 1990 Port High grad has been making paper art pieces for two years and selling them at a local shop and online. Her works have won blue ribbons at the Ozaukee County Art Show.

Andrews uses card stock to create scenes that, she said, “reflect my own joy and wonder.”

Her smaller designs are made with 18 pieces of paper; the largest require 40 pieces of paper.

“It’s not a little itty-bitty thing,” Andrews said.

She uses a Cricut machine that cuts paper so each piece can be slotted into another, which results in art that can stand on its own, similar to popup greeting cards.

“It’s like its own personal shadow box. You get a sculpture and a shadow box,” Andrews said.

But not every piece of paper is the same. Some cuts are more intricate than others.

“The trees are very different because they have a double layer slot, but they’re pretty and worth it,” Andrews said.

The Cricut machine’s software can handle premade frames but she makes her own designs with a type of digital etch tool on her tablet.

“I enjoy the designing part of it. It’s rewarding to design,” she said.

After Andrews designs one of her creations, she puts it into software that will determine how to cut it, and “pray to God that it’s going to come out.”

Inspiration for her designs often comes from close to home.

“Obviously, being in Port, we have to have a few lighthouse scenes with St. Mary’s behind,” she said.

That and Easter eggs are hot sellers. Andrews has seasonal designs and is adding more. She wants to do one with the star, sun and moon theme.

Andrews’ lighthouse scene made on white paper won a blue ribbon in the Ozaukee County Art Show last year. When shown in light, the piece appears as a deep 3D scene.

She earned another blue ribbon for scene of butterflies and flowers inside a vase frame. That piece is on display at the Cedarburg Cultural Center through April 19.

“That took a long time to cut because it was so big,” she said.

Andrews usually uses 12x12-inch paper. This one called for 12x24-inch stock.

Her creative process of usually two to four hours is simple yet complex and tedious while relaxing.

“It is a nice escape. I’m in a very calm space. It’s a tranquil space. It’s calming because it’s routine. You know the end result,” she said.

Andrews said she usually has a basic plan when starting a piece, but will sometimes make the designs bigger or smaller.

The creations also call for precise cuts and knowing the order of putting the A axis and B axis together.

“It’s a fun little thing for me to do to get both sides of my brain working,” Andrews said.

Her former geometry teacher even bought a piece at a show, reminding Andrews, “I told you one day you’d be using geometry.”

Andrews remembers always having a love for music, art and science as she grew up in Saukville. Her father was a singer and her parents encouraged her.

“I like creating things,” she said.

She took an art class at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls as a pre-mortuary major before graduating from Milwaukee Area Technical College with a mortuary degree. Andrews worked as a funeral director for many years before the business closed.

She dabbled with resin, water color and painting nesting dolls before landing on 3D paper art.

Andrews, who works part time as a receptionist, has had booths at Port’s farmers market, the senior center’s Holiday Fair on the Hill and the American Legion’s Christkindlmarkt. Her pieces are also available at Art Perspective Gallery in downtown Port and online.

Last week, a local restaurant employee inadvertently noticed Andrews’ unique pieces as she walked by her table and bought a Bigfoot design in a mushroom-shaped sphere on the spot.

Andrews will be making around 15 to 20 different centerpieces for a wedding in 2027.

She has sent pieces across the country and the ocean.

“They ship flat. You can put them in an envelope and mail them,” she said.

For more information, visit portwashingtonmakerscollective.com.