I'm Claudine Hellmuth, an illustrator who loves to design whimsical boxes and packaging for cupcakes and sweet treats!

I remember the first time I discovered that paper could be transformed with a just few carefully placed folds. I was 8 years old and my Mom and I were on our weekly shopping trip at the Walden's Book store. In the bottom of a bargain bin, I noticed a Whitman Press Out Book. On it's cover it showed how you could create an entire village simply by punching out the designs, folding and adding a little glue. I couldn't wait to get it home, and try it myself! It seemed like magic that paper could become something adorable and fun to play with too!

Thirty-something years later, working with paper has lost none of its magic. It never ceases to amaze me that I can create something out of flat paper, it can travel the globe and with a fold here and a little tape there, it becomes a cute retro-oven or ice cream truck ready to hold delicious goodies!

What I love most about designing paper boxes and packaging is figuring out how to make my vision a reality. The challenge of of bringing together design elements and functionality is an exciting, totally absorbing puzzle.

A from-scratch-design can take anywhere from 2 to 3 weeks to complete. Each design begins with sketches and line drawings on graph paper. Next, everything gets scanned into the computer and it's time to play with color and pattern (more polka dots please!). After a lot of paper folding, a little experimentation, and a few late nights, a new cupcake box is born!

During my 14 years as an illustrator, I've been featured in The New York Times, on The Martha Stewart Show, HGTV, HSN and The DIY Network. My books and gift product designs have been sold in retail stores such as Michael's, Target and TJ Maxx. I’ve been thrilled to illustrate for companies like Atlantic Records, Smart Car, Capitol Records and national publications such as The Saturday Evening Post.

When I’m not covered in paper, tape and cupcake sprinkles, you can find me walking our dog Maggie, reading a book or enjoying an afternoon nap with our very fat cat, Mabel

VIDEO TUTORIALS
Watch video tutorials for my kits on my YouTube channel at: youtube.com/chellmuth

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