The main features of this very old art is the embossing, perforating and cutting to produce lace like cards. Here in Brazil we are specialized in lace and we call this craft CARTÕES RENDADOS - Lace cards.
This beautiful craft is not just confined to Brazil; other Latin American countries that came under Spanish rule also have their own form of this craft. The style and techniques vary from country to country, but the basics of embossing, perforating and cutting remain the same.
Brazil was introduced to this craft by religious missionaries and in the middle of the 1970's Brazilian magazines and TV shows started giving more space to this craft and everyone here had access to it. So, Parchment Craft stopped being a craft that was only taught in the traditional Church schools. Now this wonderful art form is being introduced to the whole world.
Interested on some Brazilian designs? Take a look on my own line of Pattern Packs. Don't forget to visit the cards Gallery.