Quick tests to choose the right adhesive for paper, wood and fabric models

I used to think collage was just cutting and sticking — a happy mess of paper and glue. Over the years I’ve learned that a handful of small, inexpensive tools can quietly transform that mess into something much more deliberate and, yes, a little magical. These are the tools I reach for in the studio when I want tidy edges, crisp folds, and layered surfaces that sit exactly where I imagine them. They don’t cost much, but they change how you...

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I love a small, tactile trick — something that makes a viewer pause and tilt their head, then smile when the hidden thing is revealed. This project is one of my favourites for that exact reason: a magic picture frame that looks like a normal framed picture until you slide a hidden panel and an illustration appears or changes. It’s simple, playful, and uses humble materials like card, lightweight wood or store-bought frames, and a little...

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I love little tricks that feel like small, domestic miracles: a message that appears and vanishes, an ink that fades like a ghost. Disappearing ink effects are perfect for that — they’re cheap, safe (when done sensibly) and wonderfully theatrical. In this piece I’ll show you how to make a disappearing ink using common household materials, explain the science behind it, and give ideas for playful projects you can try right away.What is...

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I’ve always been drawn to the slightly imperfect, inky warmth of vintage lithographs — the ghostly registration shifts, the subtle halftone screens, and the way colours sit on the paper like old memories. Recreating that look using a modern inkjet printer and a bit of hand distressing is one of my favourite studio exercises. It’s equal parts design, printcraft and playful abrasion, and it transforms digital images into tactile, timeworn...

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I love small, quick projects that still feel like miniature acts of magic. This pop-up scene uses a single sheet of paper and can be made in under 20 minutes — perfect for an afternoon break, a handmade note, or a tiny theatrical surprise tucked into a card. You don’t need fancy tools: just a sheet of paper, a pair of scissors or craft knife, a ruler, and a little patience. Below I’ll walk you through my favourite simple structure, explain...

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I love photographing small, reflective objects — tiny painted metal robots, glossy ceramic miniatures, varnished paper dioramas — because they sit right at the intersection of craft, light and illusion. But glare and nasty reflections can quickly kill the magic. Over the years I’ve developed a handful of simple, repeatable techniques using inexpensive modifiers and a little patience. Here’s how I approach reflective miniatures so you get...

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I love the tiny, quiet moments when a small object suddenly seems larger than life. Over the years I’ve learned a handful of tricks to make miniature sculptures read as deeper and more three-dimensional than their actual thickness — and one of my favourite combinations is painted shadow with foamcore layers. It’s an inexpensive, fast way to fake depth that works for whimsical characters, diorama nooks, and tiny stage-like scenes. Below...

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