Paper with personality: Andrea Storck walks you through the papermaking process so you can kick that not-so-sustainable bleached and lined stuff to the curb

New Life Journal, August, 2008 by Andrea Storck

Okay, okay, Papermaking may seem like a tedious process. especially when you can just go out and get packs of the stuff. But, it's truly not that difficult. And, it's summer: the perfect time for you or your kids to embark on a papermaking project. Be sure to create multiple sheets while you're at it. so you've got some to store away and grab easily for thank you cards or school reports that need a little bit of personality in the future. Note: While not difficult, the process is a tiny bit messy. But. l'm sure your kids (and secretly you) will agree: that's the best part!

A papermaking kit with a wooden frame, plastic grid and screens (available at craft stores) and materials you're likely to have lying around the house (like those paper scraps you've been saving but need to get rid of: a great way to recycle) make the project pretty simple. Then. the sky's the limit--from flowers to food, you can use just about anything to jazz up your sheets. So. what are you waiting for?

Andrea got started on homemade crafts as an alternative to buying Christmas gifts 10 years ago. She tried papermaking in the early years, and it has stayed with her because of how easy it is and the final product's versatility.

MATERIALS:

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Tub to hold pulp, papermaking screen, wooden frame, screen, plastic grid, paper * cookie sheet or towel, 2 pieces of cloth (cut to mold size), iron, blender and a sponge. * Paper can be recycled paper, paper scraps, cotton linter, construction paper or any other paper product torn up in small pieces. For added texture or look, add items of your choice--like flowers or seeds--that you think would be fun.

one

Mix tom up paper and water together in a blender to make a pulp in a ratio of 1 torn up sheet or similar to 4 cups of water. Repeat approximately 5 times, or to create enough pulp to be able to dip your mold into the tub and completely cover it with the mixture. You'll want the covering to be approximately 2 inches deep or more. The depth of the pulp layer will determine the thickness of your paper.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

two

Assemble your mold: plastic grid, papermaking screen, and then wooden frame. Take mold assembly and at an angle dip it into your tub filled with pulp. Hold under the water long enough for the pulp to settle on the screen. Once settled, very slowly take your mold out.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

three

Take the wooden frame off and place the screen (wire, not papermaking screen) on top of the soon-to-be paper, lake a sponge and press over the entire area a few times. Slowly remove screen, making sure not to rip paper, and place a cloth over the paper. Turn over and remove papermaking screen and place another cloth on the wet paper.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

four

Keeping the wet paper between the sheets of cloth, iron at a high temperature. If paper sticks, lower the temperature. Iron both sides until dry and remove the cloth for your finished sheet of paper. Repeat the process as many times as sheets are desired, remembering to make more pulp for your desired thickness of paper. Then, get writing or drawing in style!

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]