papermaking
Ruth Mastron @lone
as to where to begin, but the kits they sell as recycling projects for
the little ones don't seem promising.
Thanks!
BBRA...@delphi.com
Quoting rmastron from a message in rec.crafts.misc
Ruth --
I've not had any problems with making paper from the kits. I've found them
to be easier and faster to use if the screens are the type that can be
dried in the oven. With a little creativity and experimentation anyone can
get good results from these kits and not have to spend a small fortune on
equipment and chemicals to break down raw fibers, et cetera...
Anyway, that's not answering your question is it? <G> I would suggest you try
contacting the Twin Rocker in Brookston IN. Aside from carrying the kits, as
well as supplies to make paper from scratch, they also offer excellent support
and their catalog is full of useful information and tips.
Their address is:
Twin Rocker
PO Box 413
Brookston, IN 47923
Or call them at (317) 563-3119
I hope this helps.
Beth
Rainbow V 1.03 for Delphi
Virginia B. Sauer
> TO: rmas...@alsys.com (Ruth Mastron @lone)
Hi Ruth:
Handmade paper is very easy to make. The only real thing the
kits provide is a deckle - which you can either purchase
separately or make your own.
Here are basic directions for both handmade paper and molded
paper. There are countless variations; many people even like to
add different fibers and even dryer lint for a soft texture (as
well as for color after drying new bathroom rugs, et cetera).
You might therefore want to see if your library carries any
books or videos on the subject.
I hope that this helps!
Regards,
Virginia
HANDMADE PAPER
MATERIALS NEEDED:
Newspapers (_NOT_ to go into the handmade paper)
Old towels
If available, sheets of chamois/felt chamois at least as
large as your sheets of paper will be (optional)
Paper (e. g., recycled computer paper, watercolor paper,
construction paper, paper towels, et cetera -
individually, or in combination with other paper types)
Cotton linter paper _OR_ recycled tissue paper, such as that
packed with shoes, tortillas, et cetera
Lukewarm water
Large mixing bowl
Blender (e. g., old one picked up at a garage sale)
Dishpan
Potpourri, glitter, dried flowers, coloring, pieces of
thread, et cetera (optional)
Deckle and mold (purchased, homemade, or embroidery hoop) *
Sponge
PROCEDURE:
-- Stack newspapers about 1-inch thick.
-- Cover stack with an old towel.
-- If chamois is available, place it over the towel.
-- Tear paper into pieces approximately 1-inch in size. Put
into a large mixing bowl.
-- Pour lukewarm water over paper. Set aside to soak for
approximately 10 minutes.
-- Pour soaked paper into blender (about 1 cup at a time).
-- Add lukewarm water to reach the top line of the blender.
-- Blend paper and water, stopping frequently to check the
paper. Continue blending until most of the paper has
dissolved, and the pulp is no longer lumpy.
-- Fill a plastic dishpan half-full with lukewarm water.
Pour the pulp from the blender into the dishpan. Use either
a spoon or your hand(s) to swish the pulp around in the
water.
-- If desired, add coloring, potpourri (which has been soaked
for about 10 minutes), glitter, spices, et cetera.
-- Dip deckle and mold screen-side-up into dishpan, covering
entire screen area with pulp. Make sure that the pulp is in
a relatively even layer (i. e., that there are no large
clumps or spaces); if not, re-dip the deckle until you have a
reasonably smooth layer of pulp.
-- Remove deckle and mold from dishpan. Remove the piece
without the screen and allow excess water to drip off.
-- Flip mold over onto chamois (or old towel if no chamois is
available).
-- Using sponge, gently remove excess water from back of screen.
-- Top with additional sheets of felt chamois or another towel.
-- Repeat with remaining pulp.
-- Either leave paper to dry as is, or place in sun to hasten
drying.
-- After paper has dried, use and/or decorate as desired.
Popular uses include include paper-covered albums or boxes,
gift cards, collages, et cetera. Although it can also be
used for stationery, that requires adding "sizing" to the
pulp, and - if available - pushing through an old wringer-
type washing machine (available at garage sales).
VARIATIONS: The same basic techniques can be used to make
molded paper. However, instead of using a deckle,
simply press the wet pulp into molds (such as candy
or cookie molds). Pop out when dry, and decorate
as desired. For example, one might mold a bunny,
glue dried flowers as trim, glue over pin dot
fabric, and frame for a child's room. For lovely
greeting cards, glue a molded paper heart to
colored cardstock (handmade or commercial) and trim
with dried flowers.
* If purchasing a kit, make sure to select one with a
deckle the size of the paper you'll want to make. (In
other words, if your goal is to make 8 1/2 x 11-inch
sheets, a 6-inch square deckle would be a waste of
money.) Deckles can also be purchased separately, and
many people make their own out of the finest-grade
fiberglass-type window screening and two sets of
stretcher bars to make a frame. But if you are just
getting started and do not want to go to any expense
before finding out if you _LIKE_ making paper, you could
simply stretch old nylon stockings over a square made by
taping together wire coathangers - or even _round_ paper
by placing the stockings between embroidery hoops.
Stephie 99
Sauer writes:
{wonderful stuff about making paper}
Virginia,
I continue to be a fan of yours and always read your notes with such
enthusiasm. Regarding adding size to paper pulp; it seems to me I read
somewhere that common laundry starch will act as size, and can be eithe
added to the pulp, OR sprayed on the wet sheets of paper after they are
formed. Have you ever heard of this option ??
Steph
VSA...@delphi.com
Hi Steph:
Many thanks for the kind words! I really appreciate it,
especially after the number of strangers who EMail with special
requests, and then don't even bother to say "thanks".
Yes, I have heard of using liquid sizing (particularly with
western fibers) and formation aid (which reportedly allows one
to make very thin, strong papers, such as those using abaca and
Japanese fibers). However, whereas some authors report great
success, many papermakers have found that a wringer-type washing
machine (an inexpensive alternative to a Hollander) is essential
for the proper smoothness. I guess it depends upon the types of
paper being recycled to make the handmade paper, the fibers
incorporated, and the writing instrument, itself, since
calligraphy would bleed on many surfaces that would be fine for
ball point pens.
What kinds of paper do you make (or are you interested in
making)?
Thanks again!
Hugs,
Virginia
Lois Frankel
> Can anyone suggest any sources/info on handmade paper? I have no clue
I got a kit called "paper anew," which included a mold & deckle, some
felters, a mold for pulp-sculpture, instructions, and some add-ins. I
also found a good book, _The Art and Craft of Papermaking_ by Dawson. It
was full of wonderful ideas.
Stephie 99
"What kinds of paper do you make (or are you interested in
making)? "
Well, all I've managed to acquire so far is my mould and deckle, and
about 6 books on papermaking, and a strange feeling that this wont come
out right no matter how I try. I keep looking at the pictures, and
thinking "this weekend" -- but still just haven't done it. Ive got the
blender, pieces of "stuff" to add ( I like paper with botanicals, threads,
etc in them), and just need to DO IT.
Im very interested in producing wee artist books, as Im deeply involved
with mail art and this is a natural extension.
Hugs to you and thanks on behalf of those that have forgotten to say it!
Steph, procrastinating for reasons that dont make much sense.....
Kathleen Creighton
Steph, let me give you a little hint:
*Nothing* comes out of a crafter's hands fully formed. In fact, the
process of learning through mistakes is what makes good work *really
good*.
Don't expect something to be perfect the first time you try it. Or even
the second or the third.
Instead of being paralyzed by perfection, save it for trying to make your
work better--and you can only do that by trial and error and lots of
mistakes.
I have my first piece of papier mache here. And a piece that's sixth
iteration. Wow, what a difference. I'm on the third iteration of a
Christmas ornament a friend asked me to design. I'm hoping that the
third iteration is going to be the charm, but it might take another
attempt before it's perfect.
Enjoy the process! You'll do it and be dissatisfied or have other ideas.
So try it again. Maybe you'll have to put it away and think on it, then
get all the supplies out again when you have a new idea. In this way,
you make this craft uniquely *yours*. And nobody has to know about your
mistakes. Who cares?
Stephie 99
Creighton) writes:
>>>>Enjoy the process! You'll do it and be dissatisfied or have other
ideas.
So try it again. Maybe you'll have to put it away and think on it, then
get all the supplies out again when you have a new idea. In this way,
you make this craft uniquely *yours*. And nobody has to know about your
mistakes. Who cares?<<<<
Katheleen,
Sage advice, and words that I need to remind myself of constantly. In
most artforms that I indulge in, it IS the process that is so engaging to
me, and the artifact is a byproduct of that process. It's been a real
experience to learn to "let go" of wanting to be perfect, and to just
liberate mind and creative spirit so that the best work can happen in a
joyous manner. Thanks for the reminder. :-)
Hugs,
Steph
Christina
: > TO: rmas...@alsys.com (Ruth Mastron @lone)
: Potpourri, glitter, dried flowers, coloring, pieces of
: thread, et cetera (optional)
: -- If desired, add coloring, potpourri (which has been soaked
: for about 10 minutes), glitter, spices, et cetera.
My only word of warning to the glitter idea (from personal experience).
I was making bookcovers for little artsy books, making paper on hardware
cloth, and wanted glitter for the ultimate perfect touch. I used
ultra-fine glitter and the covers turned out well. But in the process I
managed to get the glitter all over me and my kitchen--which then
travelled to my bedroom and bathroom and desk, it got inside my
trackball, and even my black cat had lots of pink sparkles. Glitter sure
is purty, but that near-powdery stuff just don't wash off very well.
Stephie 99
writes:
"I was making bookcovers for little artsy books, making paper on hardware
cloth, and wanted glitter for the ultimate perfect touch. I used
ultra-fine glitter and the covers turned out well. But in the process I
managed to get the glitter all over me and my kitchen--which then
travelled to my bedroom and bathroom and desk, it got inside my
trackball, and even my black cat had lots of pink sparkles. Glitter sure
is purty, but that near-powdery stuff just don't wash off very well."
--- I THOUGHT I noticed a bit of "shine" about you the day we met !!!!!
:-)
Steph