Editor’s note, November 2020: In our Featured Shop series, we shine a light on a standout shop from Etsy’s talented seller community, offering readers a behind-the-scenes look at their process and story. And as we spend more time at home these days, getting cozy and catching up on our reading lists, we’re taking a moment to revisit some of our favorites—like the story of this Toronto-based homewares designer from February of 2017.
Looking at Ali Harrison’s breathtakingly detailed, absolutely frame-worthy cut-paper compositions, it would be easy to assume the Toronto-based maker had a long history (and solid formal training) in the arts. But that couldn’t be farther from the truth. “I actually have no artistic training or background,” Ali says. After receiving a masters in community development and adult education, she stumbled across paper cutting while searching for DIY Christmas gift ideas online and decided to give it a try.
Shop the Light + Paper collection
“The first paper cutting I did, I used my kitchen cutting board and a borrowed box cutter, and I quickly fell in love with the craft,” Ali recalls. The primary selling point? Her natural (if unanticipated) aptitude for the art form. “Honestly, the thing that most appealed to me was the fact that I immediately felt like I was pretty good at it,” Ali says. Less than a year later, she opened her Etsy shop, Light + Paper, and today Ali has expanded her range to include laser-cut ornaments and cake toppers, intricate wall hangings and pop-out 3D cityscapes, in addition to the original freehand-cut art pieces she has made since day one.
Read on to learn more about how Ali’s business has grown and shop the collection.

Do you remember the first item you sold on Etsy?
I do; it was a paper cutting of an anchor with an abstract design in the background. The person who bought it was shopping for their one-year anniversary, which is the paper anniversary. I remember being like, “Oh, somebody thinks this is special; it’s a really special gift for them.” It was so satisfying.
Your shop has come a long way since then. Will you tell us how your work has evolved over time?
When I first started listing on Etsy, everything I created was cut by hand. Once I decided to transition into doing this full time, I made the decision to invest in a laser cutter for the studio. I knew that if I wanted to produce and sell my work and get it out to a good number of people, I wouldn’t be able to do everything hand-cut anymore.
Once you got the laser cutter, did that open up new design possibilities for you?
For sure. Once I began working with the laser cutter, I could work with wood in addition to paper. That allowed me to expand into other categories, so now I’m able to offer coasters and housewares, Christmas ornaments, cake toppers. It’s still really important to me that I do all my designs first as a hand-cut paper cutting, though. I do all the originals with an X-acto blade and paper, and then I scan them and convert them for laser cutting. Working within that technique lets me maintain the aesthetic I’ve created.

Photo by Kristen Kilpatrick





Photo by Kristen Kilpatrick

How long does it take you to make an original paper cutting, and what’s your process like?
For a simple piece like one of my little ornaments, the cutting could take me just a couple of minutes. For my larger pieces like the anatomical heart, it takes well over 40–50 hours. But I don’t usually time myself.
In terms of process, when I first started I would draw the designs and then cut them out. As I’ve developed confidence in being a paper cutting artist, I try to do all of my designs, especially my new designs, completely freehand cut. It creates a more whimsical aesthetic than you’d get with all straight lines and perfect fonts.
What are some of the most popular items in your shop, and which ones are your personal favorites?
My most popular paper cutting piece is definitely my anatomical heart; I think people really connect with that iconic image, and I’ve tried to make it in my own aesthetic with the repeating patterns that I use. Now I’m getting a lot of requests for other organs, so I created a set of lungs and a brain as well.
Personally, I really like the stand-up sets that I’ve created where you can pop the little pieces out and put the legs on the bottom; I really like interactive stuff like that. My favorite is probably my stand-up winter village.





Photo by Kristen Kilpatrick


What are some of your sources of inspiration? Do you ever check out historical paper cuttings or other contemporary paper cut artists’ work?
I have definitely researched historical paper cutting and looked into other artists that inspire me, but I try not to confine my inspiration to just paper cutting; I find that I’m inspired by many different types of artwork, and that helps me form unique new ideas.
I also get really inspired by my own maker community. I have a studio in an industrial building in the West End of Toronto that I share with another local maker. We host monthly meetings with other Toronto creatives; that’s been really helpful and inspiring, brainstorming and developing ideas together and keeping each other on track.
Your pieces range from really sweet and sentimental to cheekier items, like the raccoon and trash can ornament set. Which approach is closer to your personal style?
I think I’m a bit of both, but definitely more cheeky than sweet—especially when it comes to designing things for weddings. One of my newest projects is a line of cake toppers, and I’m trying to include some that could appeal to different kinds of people, that you wouldn’t necessarily see in other shops. I have some geometric-looking pieces, and I’m also trying to incorporate my hand-cut fonts, which I create freehand to give the letters a more whimsical, fun look, as opposed to a more flow-y calligraphy style.





How do you challenge yourself creatively to come up with new designs?
I always want to cut the kind of natural-looking pattern that the heart is made out of—that’s what comes most naturally to me and is the easiest for my hand to follow. Forcing myself to think outside of that and experiment with something new can be tough, but that’s something that I try to push myself to do. It’s harder for me to do geometric shapes with hard lines, so when I have downtime sometimes I try to force myself to do that, just for practice.
You did a big window installation for the Art Gallery of Ontario last year—what was it like working outside of your normal scale?
It was way harder to work with something that was so large and three-dimensional, but it was so inspiring to experiment with different patterns and materials and hanging techniques. Although it’s not something that I’ve been able to translate into the items I sell on Etsy, I think it’s important to get out of my comfort zone, if only for my own creative development. In fact, I was so inspired by the experience that I’m now taking an art class at the Art Gallery of Ontario to help me develop my skills in drawing and painting.





What’s on your agenda for the year ahead?
One of my goals for this year, other than doing another large-scale installation or commission, is to integrate some kind of community development or community outreach with my business—it’s important to me to do something with that, going back to my masters degree. I currently have a co-op student from a local high school working with me in the studio every other day, and I’ve just done some speaking at my alma mater at U of T for some alumni events. I want to make sure I’m making time for that kind of thing and not just focusing on the business side.
Follow Light + Paper on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Photographs courtesy of Curtiss Randolph and Light + Paper unless otherwise noted.
67 comments
Megan from MegansMenagerie said 3 years ago
Beautiful shop! Congratulations on the feature!
Sue from SuesAkornShop said 3 years ago
You are very talented! Love your items!
Irina Shapoval from LadyLunarCat said 3 years ago
Cute items. Congratulations on the feature
ClassicMemories from ClassicMemories said 3 years ago
Lovely shop and beautiful items. Congrats on the feature.
Niki from JandEdoodles said 3 years ago
Your work is amazing - such respect for you! Congrats on the feature.
renee and gerardo from GTDesigns said 3 years ago
The art of detail....love the little community-like displays....super cool talent!! congrats!!
Kathy Johnson from kathyjohnson3 said 3 years ago
Beautiful and talented! Congratulations on the feature!!
Lertpan Pathamavuthikan from orientaltribe11 said 3 years ago
Great idea ? congratulations.
Kashuen Collectibles from Kashuen said 3 years ago
It's amazing that you did them all freehand. Congratulations on the feature!
Monica from ThreeBarDGifts said 3 years ago
Congrats on the feature! I'm very impressed with the intricate details of your designs! Great work! Best wishes!
AnitasPottery.com from potterybyAnita said 3 years ago
Wow, I'm amazed at the intricacies of your work! As someone who loves tiny things and makes many items in miniature, I can really appreciate the time and talent this takes! Great job! Wishing you continued success! ♥♥♥
Cathy White from msbijouxjewelry said 3 years ago
Beautiful and so unique! Love that mountain design, congratulations on the feature!
accentonvintage from accentonvintage said 3 years ago
Awesome work! Congrats!
Tim and Brigita Cornwell from jacobswoodentoys said 3 years ago
Hello to a fellow Canadian! Amazing work, beautiful designs. Congrats on the feature. Well deserved.
Debra Gilstrap from gilstrapdesigns said 3 years ago
Congratulations on your feature. Your shop is amazing and you are so talented much continued success!
R.M Garrett from ArtisticAcrylics said 3 years ago
Your work is beautiful and inspiring! Congratulations on your much deserved feature!!
John Carey from CaseysTradingPost said 3 years ago
OMG ! Detail Detail Detail Your Items Are Awsome Congrats !
viena bone from bonesreusablebags said 3 years ago
Congrats, Ali! I loved reading about your process. I can see why the heart is one of your best selling pieces, it looks so awesome!
Sherri from ButterflyFeetDigital said 3 years ago
Very intricate work, congrats on the feature!
Jeannie from heartfeltwhimsy said 3 years ago
Really lovely! Congratulations!
Eric Lindley from wireandwoods said 3 years ago
Nice to see you adapt your craft to meet the demands of your shop. Good luck with your large scale creations this year.
aressa from OriginalBridalHanger said 3 years ago
Wow! Your work is lovely. I cannot imagine cutting the larger pieces by hand...Amazing!
Priscilla from Gardenmis said 3 years ago
Wow! Your creations are stunning! Congrats on the feature and achieving all your goals and dreams :)
Flair Nouri from FlairPaintings said 3 years ago
very nice and creative!!!
Jennifer Tyson from LadyInPurpleBoutique said 3 years ago
Congrats on the feature Ali! I love your wedding table numbers!
Nicole from KarmaCodeOne said 3 years ago
Ooooo mesmerizing patterns ~ cool little towns ~ sweet and creative inside and out ! Cheers to much continued success.
Colleen O'Neal from truthbeautyandlove27 said 3 years ago
I love your coasters and that you have a studio space that you share with other artists! Congratulations!
Laura from PetalAlley said 3 years ago
Wow, 40-50 hours for some of your pieces! They are worth the time and effort - they look awesome!
Cathy from msbijouxbeads said 3 years ago
Beautiful art, you must have a steady hand! Congratulations on the feature
DivineOrders from DivineOrders said 3 years ago
GLORIOUS! Congrats on the feature. Thank you Ali for sharing your creative journey, lovely designs and amazing arts with us. - Peace.
Rhonda Stubbs from RhondaCorner said 3 years ago
Great story! Congratulations on your feature and I wish you the very best in years to come.
Sujata from TreasuredMemoryLane said 3 years ago
Wow! Such an intricate work! Amazing! Congratulations on the feature!
Jafeth Moiane from handicraftafrica said 3 years ago
Great imagination! Congrats!
M B from BeachStudio7 said 3 years ago
The details are amazing. Great job!
Yuri Pysar from Pysar said 3 years ago
so beautiful! congrats on the feature!
Gillian Northcott from esanivintage said 3 years ago
What a great business. Fantastic products and ideas.
Monika Moroz from NickoArts said 3 years ago
Congratulations on the feature of your lovely shop. All the Best :)
Yadaluk from Muntra said 3 years ago
Creative and amazing idea! Beautiful shop Thanks for sharing.
Helen from Gem2theiVintage said 3 years ago
Outstanding talent which shows in the amazing items.
Sylvie from zesteceleste said 3 years ago
? A great workshop, and you are very inspiring! ??A very beautiful article about this artisan and creator
Olesya Bagriy from BelkaUA said 3 years ago
Very nice work! Congratulations on the feature!
Sukran Kirtis from SukranKirtisJewelry said 3 years ago
I am so impressed, what a great work..Congratulations on your well deserved feature
Etrennes from Etrennes said 3 years ago
Beautiful designs and work! Wishing you all the best for continued success!!!
Jennifer and Gary Pierce from LoftAtticEarth said 3 years ago
Love your art! It is exciting to be part of a couple's big day with your cake toppers! Best wishes as your business grows in 2017!
Rosemary Lambert from cardhugs said 3 years ago
How wonderful to always be thinking about branching out and trying more creative approaches. I see how your art can be both instructive and cheerfully positive. Thanks for your hard work to make this world a better place!
TropicalGarden from TropicalGarden said 3 years ago
Beautiful work! Congratulations on the feature!
Rachel Bingaman from BingArt said 3 years ago
Oh my goodness you are so talented! Congrats on the feature :) I just love those cityscapes.
R. Anne from LnRworks said 3 years ago
Amazing shop! Congrats <3
Roxanne from ResistPersist said 3 years ago
those cake toppers. wow. so unique!
Achara Patthong from AcharaSilver said 3 years ago
It's beautiful !
emaxtees from EmaxTees said 3 years ago
Pure piece of great art!
Stark Photography said 3 years ago
Wow! Beautiful work - great feature!
Matthew Barone from Canelav said 66 days ago
So beatiful 👏🏻👏🏻 How talented
Anna from SublimationDesignsAn said 66 days ago
Very beautiful!
Anna from LissiKids said 65 days ago
very beautiful items, Ali! I love your laser-cut floral deer wall hanging
Carolina from Agirlwithfeathers said 65 days ago
Beautiful ornaments designs! Congratulations!
Anastasia from YourAdventureInGlass said 65 days ago
It reminded me how in Belarus they cut napkins and tablecloths out of paper and decorate the interior of a room with them...
anna from CalmeKidsCo said 64 days ago
Incredible work! I absolutely love the deer head ❤
Alexandra Borisova from Food4Fun said 64 days ago
Great!
Umesh Vigg from TheInspireDecor said 63 days ago
Amazing work! Your shop has such a nice collection :)
Rhonda Stubbs from RhondaCorner said 63 days ago
You have come a long ways. Congratulation on your feature again.
Sharon from YearsAfter said 62 days ago
All the Cut Outs are Beautiful! Love the Winter Village and the Cake Toppers! Congrats!
Nicole from KarmaCodeOne said 61 days ago
creative and beyond ~!~ cheers on the feature
js pharma said 57 days ago
thanks for sharing an amzing article
Maria from EcoLinenShopArt said 53 days ago
Very gentle) interesting idea)
Amanda N. from FlowerAndEarthSoaps said 36 days ago
Those coasters would make a nice housewarming gift. I really like the moon phases, too!
Hype Slime Design from HypeSlimeDesign said 31 days ago
Congratulations! I love how everything is so unique! Such a versatile creative shop!