Inch by Inch: Inchies, What are They?

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Author: Catherine Cray Gelaude
 
Good things really do come in small packages. This is certainly true of the itty bitty created art squares, better known in the paper crafting community as Inchies. What are Inchies and where did they come from? Inchies are a 1 x 1 inch handmade miniature work of art.
 


Brief History of Miniature Art:
Miniature art has been around for centuries. Dating as far back as the Middle Ages, monks ornately embellished the initial letter on manuscript pages. The Greeks created miniature art murals. During the past few years, mixed media artists have been creating small works of art in the form of ATC's, (Artist Trading Cards) to share, swap, collect or trade. ATC's led to even smaller individual art pieces, Inchies, which are currently all the rage in the stamping and paper crafting community.  The Inchie craze is a favorite of adult crafters, but it's a great form of expression for kids, tweens and teens as well.
 
Tools and Supplies:

Creating Inchies is a wonderful way to use up those one of a kind embellishments, stickers, short lengths of ribbon, old photos and tiny bits of paper, you just can't seem to part with. In addition to these supplies, you will need either a paper trimmer or a one inch punch. EK Success square and scalloped square punches come in not only the one inch size, but graduated sizes to the quarter inch, which will allow you to frame your Inchies. Rubber stamps are also a favorite for creating this miniature art form. The easiest Inchies ever can be created using Inkadinkado's line of clear Inchies stamp sets, which are exactly 1 x 1 inch.
 
Suggested Projects:
Inchies are so quick and so versatile; it's easy to become obsessed. You will want to use them on all of your paper crafting projects. Some suggestions for their use include, but are certainly not limited to:

• Scrapbook Pages: titles, borders, accents
• Greetings: cards and gift tags
  
  
• Bookmarks
  
  
• Keychains
  
  
• Miniature Books: an alphabet one would be fun!
• Pendants
• Refrigerator Magnets
• Wall Art: mount 12, 15, 20 or more of your favorite Inchies inside a frame

Other Sizes:
By the way: If you fall in love with miniature art you might also try these other miniature art sizes:

• Rinchie: a 1 inch round
• Twinchie: 2 x 2 inch
• PSI (Plus Size Inchie): 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 inches
• Moo: 1 1/8 x 2 3/4
  

Creating in miniature is limited only by your imagination - I challenge you to try this fun art form - go make some itty bitty beauties, Inchies!