Rice paper table-toppers

Sunset, March, 1998 by Peter O. Whiteley

The subtle patterns and muted colors of rice paper give an understated elegance to four table decorations designed, by Francoise Kirkman. Each of the items - a shallow bowl, leaf-shaped and rectangular place mats, and simple napkin rings - was created from one or two sheets of rice paper and common household materials like white glue and canvas.

Today's rice paper provides a rainbow of choices in color and texture. Some sheets contain strands of cotton and wool fibers, bits of leaves, flecks of flower petals, wood shavings, or pieces of fibrous bark. The papers can be lightweight and diaphanous, or coarse, heavy, and opaque. Rice paper is sold in sheets that average 22 by 31 inches; prices range from about $2.50 to $10 per sheet, depending on style. A good mail-order source for rice paper is Loose Ends in Keizer, Oregon; (503) 390-7457.

WORKING WITH RICE PAPER

Although you can cut rice paper with a razor blade or craft knife, some projects look best when the edges of the paper have a feathery, torn look. To achieve this, simply wet the area with a foam brush and tear the paper gently with your fingers.

Protecting the paper from water and food stains is important for projects such as the bowl or place mats. To protect place mats, you can use a polyurethane spray sealer (it may make the mats slightly translucent). Kirkman uses cut pieces of clear acrylic (from a plastic supply store) to protect the place mats from abrasion and stains.

Potpourri bowl

This delicate, lightweight bowl is just right for holding potpourri mixes, cards, or dried materials. Kirkman started it with a form made from a dried gourd. Instructions are for making one bowl.

TIME: About 2 hours, plus about 24 hours to dry

WHAT YOU NEED

* A large gourd, melon, squash, or plastic ball

* Clear plastic wrap

* Transparent tape

* A ruler

* A sheet of medium-weight rice paper, 22 by 31 inches

* A damp foam brush

* White glue

* A saucer or pie pan

* A 1-inch-wide paintbrush (optional)

1. Cover the bottom half of the gourd (or other round form) with plastic wrap and tape in place. (Use a glass, box, or bowl to stabilize the form.)

2. With a ruler as a guide, tear the sheet of rice paper into 2-inch squares, using a damp foam brush to moisten the paper as you tear.

3. Squirt glue into a saucer. One at a time, dip each paper square into glue to coat one side, and apply to the form starting from its "top" and moving down, overlapping the pieces like shingles (see photo at right). Try to make an even line for the rim of the bowl, but do not apply past the "equator" of the form. Apply five or more layers of squares. Let dry 24 hours, then slip off the form. You may want to coat the inside of the bowl (using a paintbrush) with glue for added protection.

Leaf mat

Place them under plates or bowls to add interesting form and color to your table. Draw a leaf or enlarge one on a photocopier. Instructions are for making one mat.

TIME: About 45 minutes

WHAT YOU NEED

* A broad leaf from your yard or a glycerine-coated leaf from a craft store

* Scissors and/or a craft knife

* Heavy cotton or lightweight white canvas fabric (amount depends on the size of your leaf shape)

* A pencil

* A sheet of heavy rice paper, 22 by 31 inches (one sheet per mat)

* A large darning needle or nail

* A damp foam brush

* White glue or tacky glue

* A saucer

* A toothpick

* Heavy garden twine

* A 1-inch-wide flat paintbrush

* Polyurethane spray (optional)

1. On a photocopier, enlarge the natural leaf or the glycerine-coated one so it measures about 12 inches tall. Cut out shape. Trace outline of paper shape on fabric, then use scissors to cut out fabric.

2. Position fabric shape on rice paper and score an outline 1/4 inch outside the fabric with a darning needle (a). Using the foam brush, wet the scored shape and tear out leaf shape (b).

3. Pour a small amount of glue into a saucer. Applying the glue with a toothpick, use glue and twine to make vein shapes on fabric (c).

4. With the flat paintbrush, coat the back of rice paper with glue and adhere to the fabric (covering the twine "veins"). Use your fingers to mold the paper over the twine to create embossed forms (d). For extra protection, coat the paper with polyurethane spray and let dry.

Napkin ring

Make rings separately or coordinate them with the place mats by using the same rice paper stock. Instructions are for making one ring.

TIME: About 10 minutes

WHAT YOU NEED

* Scissors

* A ruler

* Scraps of rice paper

* Scraps of heavy cotton or lightweight canvas fabric

* Iron-on adhesive or white glue

* A craft knife (optional)

* An iron

* Glue (optional)

* A hole punch

* A small twig, raffia, or a toothpick

1. Use scissors to cut 2- by 9-inch bands of rice paper, fabric, and iron-on adhesive.

2. If desired, use a craft knife to make 1/2-inch-tall, evenly spaced slots in rice paper, then weave through them a 1/2-by 9-inch strip of contrasting paper.

3. Following the manufacturer's instructions, bond the iron-on adhesive to fabric, then to the rice paper (or glue the paper and fabric together). Trim one end to a diagonal point.