How To Make Handmade Paper
by Lynda
Cookson
Grow a Greeting
As you set the match to the
sealing wax and wait for the lighted stick to drip its post-office red wax
onto the flap of the envelope, the family crest stamp (or a decorative
coin) is ready to hand, waiting for you to emboss and seal your
invitation. You feel great when you survey the final product: handmade
paper envelope (made by yourself), enclosing handmade paper invitation or
card (designed and written, or printed, by yourself), and beautifully
sealed at the back. The little flowers you used in the paper pulp have
dried and kept their colour, sitting snugly next to the seeds which you
have embedded in the paper and which will sprout and grow when your
special friend plants and waters the card!
Perhaps you’ve mastered
the art of calligraphy and have added a note to your lovingly crafted
invitation, telling your friends and family that once they have noted your
event on the calendar, they can pop the card and envelope into a pot of
pot-plant soil, cover it over, water it frequently, and watch the seeds
grow! Grow a Greeting!
About the craft of making handmade
paper
Making handmade paper is quite likely the most economical and
“green” creative activity you can enjoy in your home or art studio – or
even as a small business from home, making cards, envelopes, bookmarks,
and a host of other items, for sale.
All materials used are
recyclable and nothing is ever wasted. Even mistakes and reject sheets
made during the process can be returned to the pulp vat to make another
sheet.
The pulp is made from recycled paper and/or fibrous plant
materials like carrot stems and leeks; the decorative content in the paper
is usually vegetable or other plant fibres (carrot leaves and spinach);
colorings used can be natural (the water from boiled onion skins), if you
choose; and the only equipment you need apart from general household
items, is a wooden deckle and mould set with a sponge.
What will
you use your handmade paper for? Writing paper, envelopes, wrapping paper,
boxes, paper to paint on (watercolor and oils not recommended, instead use
gouache or acrylics), calligraphy, greeting cards, book covers,
promotional correspondence, CD covers, wedding invitations, anniversary
and special occasion stationary, collages, and much more. |In fact,
whatever you would use commercial paper for.
The basic items you
will need to make pulp and paper
1. Pulp which has been prepared
for use.
Hint : It is better to work with “runny” pulp (ie. pulp with
a fairly high water content) than with pulp which is too thick (ie. not
enough water). Do be careful not to make the pulp too thin in the water so
that your paper becomes too weak.
2. A deckle, mould and sponge
set. A mould is a wooden frame which has fine netting stretched across it
and stapled to the back edge. A deckle is a non-netted wooden frame
exactly the same size as the mould. The sponge is best cut to fit snugly
inside of the Deckle.
3. Man-sized handkerchiefs – as many as the
number of sheets of paper you wish to make – and just larger than the size
of the deckle and mould. Alternatively, you may use disposable dishcloths
(J cloths), squares of bed sheeting (old!), or vylene (collar stiffening),
all with the creases ironed out. Disposable dish cloths will leave a
slight grid pattern on your paper. This is quite a pleasant effect, but if
you want smooth paper, rather use handkerchiefs, sheeting or
vylene.
4. Sink or portable basin half filled with water. A
rectangular shaped 20 litre basin is the most practical.
5. A thick
towel laid out on a flat surface.
The different types of paper to
use for pulp
An important point to remember is that the higher quality
paper you begin with, the higher the quality of paper you will
make.
Computer or copy paper:
This is good, strong paper to use,
especially if it does not have a high print content. Pure white is the
best. If you can get computer paper which has already been shredded, then
so much the better! Remember to separate the colored copy paper from the
white paper so that you do not end up with a muddy-colored pulp when they
are all mixed together. Rather make separate colors and mix them, if you
wish, later.
Newspaper:
Newspaper will generally make a
brownish-grey pulp. It is easy to work with initially as it tears easily
and is very absorbent. Your final product will not be a strong or
long-lasting paper as the acid content of newspaper is very high.
Newspaper is not a strong paper.
Magazines:
There is a high
print content on magazine paper which makes an attractive grey pulp. It
needs a lot more boiling and processing than newspaper but is worth
experimenting with. As a warning, glossy magazine paper contains a lot of
clay (the gloss) which will reduce the strength of your paper.
Have
fun and experiment with tissue paper, tissues, egg boxes, brown paper,
wrapping paper, and whatever paper you can lay your hands
on.
Methods for making paper
There are at least three different
methods for making the type of paper you need:
Method 1 where you
create a picture or watermark in your paper
Method 2 which is the
traditional way of pulling a sheet of paper (used by the Japanese and
Indians for centuries)
Method 3 where you make mass produced paper
for weddings and special events.
Where to find equipment and
information
If you would like to find out more, and see samples of
paper displayed on the hot desert sands of Namibia in Southern Africa,
then please visit www.lyndacookson.com for papermaking kits (including a
simple instructional booklet) and ‘How To Make Handmade Paper’, a 28 page
comprehensive, yet easy to read, book on the subject.
‘How to Make
Handmade Paper’ by Lynda Cookson covers the following :
What you
need before you begin
How to make Pulp
Types of paper
The
process of making pulp
Storing excess pulp
Suggestions of what to
use to dye or colour your pulp
What to use as decorative
content in your paper
How to make Paper
Method 1
Creating
a picture or watermark in your paper
Method 2
The traditional
way of pulling a sheet of paper
Method 3
Making mass produced
paper for weddings
and special events
How to press your paper
Sizing your paper
Tips for getting it right
Handmade
papermaking is simple, fun and addictive! Never messy and suitable for
crafters from four years old to a hundred and four years old!
Just
add water ……
About the Author
Lynda Cookson is a South African born
artist and writer living in Connemara, Ireland. She specializes in
art, travel and event journalism. How To books published : How to Make
Handmade Paper; The eArt Directory
Visit www.lyndacookson.com for book
and art purchases
Article Source: www.articledestination.com
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