Description

We often consider making paper to be averycomplicated, skilled process and of course, that can be true.Butit's not hard to craft paper yourself at home with verylittleequipment. The only special item you'll need is a mould. Thisis awooden frame with a mesh stretched across it to act as a filterorsieve. It's very simple to make your own mould - just fastenfourpieces of wood together in a rectangular shape to make theframe.Use 3/4" x 2" wood (20 x 50 mm) and make the inner dimensionsofthe frame the size of the paper you want to make. The frameneedsto be about 2" (200 mm) in depth. Then cover the frame withtightlystretched mesh - mosquito net or just a piece of net curtainisfine. Make sure it's securely fastened to the edge of theframe.You'll also need a large container to hold water, about thesize ofa baby bath.

Now you're ready - let's get started! To make the pulpcollecttogether a variety of unwanted paper (this craft is greatforrecycling). avoid newspaper (not pretty) and glossy magazines(thegloss makes them unsuitable) but you can use tissues, artpaper,envelopes, discarded letter paper or copier paper - these areallsuitable. Then tear the paper into about 1" (25 mm) squarepiecesand soak it in water. The soaking time depends on the paperyou'reusing. Tissues will take under an hour, while high qualitypapermay take up to 3 days. Using hot water will speed uptheprocess.

The next step is to macerate the paper in a blender orfoodprocessor. Add a couple of cups of water to each small handfulofthe paper. (225 ml). You only want to blend until thefibresseparate, so be cautious and use short bursts. If you blendfor toolong your paper will be very smooth and you won't have thatrustic,handmade quality which is so attractive. Put the blendedpulp intoanother container. A blenderful will make about 1letter-sizedsheet, so continue until you've blended as much as youthink you'llneed.

Now comes the even more fun part - making the paper! You canaddall sorts of small things to give your paper an individualfeel.For a country theme add some tiny feathers or pressed leavesandflowers. For Christmas or a child's party you can add sparkles,ortiny foil shapes. If you'd like to colour the paper, you canusenatural dyes like blueberry or beetroot juice, onionskins,turmeric or coffee grounds, or you can purchase commercialdyesfrom craft stores. Just stir your dye into the pulp, addingalittle at a time until you have the colour you want.Rememberthough, the colour will lighten as the pulp dries.

Stir the pulp well and dip your frame vertically into thefarside of your container then, in one smooth movement, tip ittowardsyou so it's lying horizontally beneath the pulp and lift itout,holding it level. Then, quickly, before the water's drainedaway,give it a little shake to even it out. Don't wait too longbeforedoing this or the paper will become too dry and tear when youshakeit. If this happens, just scrape it back into the containerand tryagain.