Making Handmade Paper

January 7, 2004

Chris, can I use this on another group I am on?

I may try this with the kids this weekend and add essential oils to it, what do

you think?

Carol

-

Christine Ziegler

Tuesday, January 06, 2004 4:08 PM

Making Handmade Paper

Hi folks,

This is a fun one for you and the kids, and it is a really good way to

recycle waste into something wonderful!

Makes a great rainy day/snowy day craft project!

*Smile*

Chris (list mom)

http://www.alittleolfactory.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Making Handmade Paper

Paper making can be a very simple or extremely intricate process. Here

I've provided some simple papermaking instruction to get you started.

There are many ways to texture and color your papers. Don't be shy to

experiment with your materials. Also remember, you don't have to use

only paper to make paper! You can add plant matter such as flower

petals, leaves, seeds and even little whole flowers! Just add it to the

pulp mixture after it has been through the blender. You can add scraps

of yarn, embroidery thread, glitter, and more. Its only limited by your

own creativity! Experiment, have fun and let your creative side run

wild! Some of ideas will turn out better than others but don't let that

stop you.

Basic Paper Making:

Here are some example of the types of paper and material that can be

used:

Computer/Office Paper

Newspaper (If you want a grayish colored paper)

Magazines

Fiber Egg Cartons

Old Cards (For heavier paper)

Toilet Paper

Paper Bags

Non Waxed Boxes (Pre-soak in warm water)

Tissue Paper (For finer paper)

Napkins

Construction Paper

Laundry Lint

Shredded denim

Supplies you'll need:

Sponge

Window Screening (this is your mold)

Wood Frame (old picture frame can be used too) or a large embroidery

hoop

Plastic Basin/Tub (Large enough to totally immerse frame)

Blender/Food Processor (For making paper pulp)

White Felt or Flannel Fabric

Staples or Tacks (For tacking screen on frame)

Liquid starch (optional)

Instructions:

First, make your mold. This is made by simply stretching a screen over a

wooden frame and stapling it. This can also be done by placing a screen

into an embroidery hoop (the same way one would place fabric in the

hoop) It should be as tight as possible.

Now make your fabric cushion for " couching " the paper. Make a flat pad

of newspaper with a layer of felt or flannel on top of it. This is what

the paper will come out of the mold on.

Select the paper/materials you want to use. You can certainly mix

different types which will create a more unique paper.

Rip the paper into small bits, and place into the blender (only fill

about half way). Proceed to fill the blender with warm water. Run the

blender slowly at first then increase the speed until the pulp looks

smooth and well blended. (this takes about 30 -40 seconds for average

paper, about 60 seconds for tissue and up to 90 seconds for card stock)

Check that no flakes of paper remain. If there are, blend longer. The

papers can also be soaked over night to help the fibers break up easier.

Fill the basin about half way with water. Add 3 blender loads of pulp.

(the more pulp you add the thicker the finished paper will be) Stir the

mixture.

Stir 2 teaspoons of liquid starch into the pulp for sizing. This is not

necessary but if the paper is going to be used for writing on or

stamping, you should add the starch because it helps to prevent inks

from soaking into the paper fibers.

Vertically place the mold into the pulp water and then level it out

horizontally while it is submerged. Gently rock it side-to-side until

the pulp on top of the screen looks even.

Slowly lift the mold up until it is above the water level. While

continuing to hold your mold horizontally, gently shake to evenly

settle your paper fibers and continue to hold it over the basin to let

most of the excess water drain from the new paper sheet. If the paper is

too thick, you'll have to start over, removing some pulp from the tub.

If it is too thin, add more pulp and stir the mixture again.

When the mold stops dripping, gently place one edge of the mold,

vertically, on the side of a fabric square (felt or flannel square).

Gently ease the mold down flat (paper side down), with the paper

directly on the fabric. Press firmly against the fabric cushion. Use a

sponge or rag to press out as much water as possible. Wring whatever

excess water from the sponge back into the large plastic tub. If using

the embroidery hoop, remove the top (empty) ring now.

Now comes the tricky part. Slowly lift the nearer edge of the mold while

holding the further edge of the mold down firmly with the cloth. The wet

sheet of paper should remain on the fabric. If it sticks to the mold,

gently shake the mold or use a palette knife to remove it. Also, you may

have pulled it to fast or not pressed out enough water. It takes a

little practice but gets easier with each try. You can gently press out

any bubbles and loose edges at this point.

Make more sheets by repeating the steps above, and stacking the paper

squares on the cushion, making sure to place a damp fabric square on top

of the last piece of paper each time. The newspaper pad beneath the

cushion may have to be changed several times. You can also use a cookie

sheet to press the remaining water out of the stack (do this outside or

in the bathtub, it can make a big mess). Weigh down the stack of papers

with a few heavy books and allow to dry. The papers can also be dried

individually but will have to be ironed to flatten after they dry.

January 7, 2004

Sure Carol,

And yes, You can add essential oils to it to make wonderful scented

papers

Please, let us know how it turns out.

*Smile*

Chris (list mom)

http://www.alittleolfactory.com

Chris, can I use this on another group I am on?

I may try this with the kids this weekend and add essential oils to it,

what do you think?

Carol

-

Christine Ziegler

Hi folks,

This is a fun one for you and the kids, and it is a really good way to

recycle waste into something wonderful!

Makes a great rainy day/snowy day craft project!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Making Handmade Paper

September 19, 2005

Making Handmade Paper

in 10 easy steps

Ancient Egyptians invented the first substance like the paper we know today called Papyrus. Papyrus scrolls were made by taking slices of the inner part of the papyrus stem, flattening then pounded into a hard, thin sheet. The word "paper" comes from the word "papyrus". The Paper that we know today was invented by Ts'ai Lun in A.D. 105, It is believed that he mixed hemp, mulberry bark, and rags with water, mashed it into a pulp, pressed out the liquid and hung it to dry in the sun. Paper was born and this humble mixture would set off one of mankind's greatest communication revolutions.

Today there is a revival in homemade papermaking crafts. Not only is it a fun experience for you and the kids, but it's a good way to recycle waste into wonderful possibilities.

Below you will find a simple papermaking recipe to get you started. If this is the first time you are making paper, don't be afraid to experiment with different fibers, you don't have to stick with paper related products. Add whole flower heads to the pulp mixture after it has been through the blender. You can add scraps of yarn, tin foil, even seeds. Its all comes down to what you want. Experiment with different textures and colors after all Ts'ai Lun did! Remember, some of your ideas will turn out while others may not. Have fun with it, express your creativity.

Simple Recipe:

Many types of paper that can be used include:

a.. Computer Paper (unprinted)

b.. Newspaper (If you want a grayish colored paper)

c.. Magazines

d.. Egg Cartons

e.. Old Cards (For heavier paper)

f.. Toilet Paper

g.. Paper Bags

h.. Non Waxed Boxes (Pre-soak in warm water)

i.. Office Paper

j.. Tissue Paper (For finer paper)

k.. Typing Paper

l.. Napkins

m.. Construction Paper

Supplies you'll need:

a.. Sponge

b.. Window Screening (mold)

c.. Wood Frame (old picture frame can be used too) (deckle)

d.. Plastic Basin/Tub (Large enough to totally immerse frame)

e.. Blender/Food Processor (For making paper pulp)

f.. White Felt or Flannel Fabric

g.. Staples or Tacks (For tacking screen on frame)

h.. Liquid starch (optional)

Instructions:

1. Select the pieces of paper to be recycled. You can even mix different types to create your own unique paper.

2. Rip the paper into small bits, and place into the blender. (about half full). Fill the blender with warm water. Run the blender slowly at first then increase the speed until the pulp looks smooth and well blended. ( 30 -40 seconds) Check that no flakes of paper remain. If there are, blend longer.

3. The next step is to make a mold. The mold, in this case, is made simply by stretching fiberglass screen (plain old door and window screen) over a wooden frame and stapling it. It should be as tight as possible.

4. Fill the basin about half way with water. Add 3 blender loads of pulp. (the more pulp you add the thicker the finished paper will be) Stir the mixture.

5. Now is the time to add the liquid starch for sizing.(This is not necessary but if the paper is going to be used for writing on, you should add some, the starch helps to prevent inks from soaking into the paper fibers.) Stir 2 teaspoons of liquid starch into the pulp.

Place the mold into the pulp and then level it out while it is submerged. Gently wiggle it side-to-side until the pulp on top of the screen looks even.

6. Slowly lift the mold up until it is above the level of the water. Wait until most of the water has drained from the new paper sheet. If the paper is very thick, remove some pulp from the tub. If it is too thin, add more pulp and stir the mixture again.

7. When the mold stops dripping, gently place one edge on the side of a fabric square (felt or flannel square). Gently ease the mold down flat, with the paper directly on the fabric. Use a sponge to press out as much water as possible. Wring the excess water from the sponge back into the large plastic tub.

8. Now comes the tricky part. Hold the fabric square flat and slowly lift the edge of the mold. The wet sheet of paper should remain on the fabric. If it sticks to the mold, you may have pulled to fast or not pressed out enough water. It takes a little practice. You can gently press out any bubbles and loose edges at this point.

9. Repeat the steps above, and stack the fabric squares on a cookie sheet. Save one fabric square to place on the top of the stack to cover the last piece of paper. Use another cookie sheet to press the remaining water out of the stack. (do this outside or in the bathtub, it can make a mess)

10. After you press the stack, gently separate the sheets. They can be dried by hanging on a clothesline or laying them out on sheets of newspaper. When they have dried peel them off the fabric and voila! you have paper!

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