Make it: Handmade Paper

Make it: Handmade Paper

Materials:
10-15 sheets of scrap paper (do not use glossy or magazine paper)
dried flower petals and/or leaves
blender (dedicated to papermaking)
papermaking screen*
papermaking box frame/mold*
papermaking plastic drainage tray*
medium-size storage tubs work well
cookie sheet or other tray
blotting/couching paper*
press bar*
towel
sponge
parchment paper
iron
cotton cloth to use as a pressing cloth

*These items can be purchased as a kit from www.arnoldgrummer.com

1. Tear scrap paper into 1"x1" squares. Include colored paper or cardstock in the mix to add color to the finished paper.

2. Place a few handfuls of paper squares in a blender. Add 3 c. water and liquefy the paper, pulsing in 10- to 15-second pulses. Continue until the paper is broken down into pulp.

3. Unlatch the box frame portion of the paper frame and assemble the screen and plastic drainage tray.

6. Pour half of the liquidized paper pulp into the water-filled tub. Lift the box frame out of the water, but keep it positioned over the tub.

7. Add any additives, such as dried flowers, leaves or confetti. Push additives into the pulp. Use your fingers to press the pulp mixture into an even layer.

8. Over a cookie sheet or tray, release the screen and the plastic drainage tray from the box frame. Top the pulp with the topper sheet from the papermaking kit. Press down on the sheet and pulp with a sponge to remove the excess water.

9. Invert the paper on a towel and remove the screen. Using blotting, or couching, paper, absorb any additional water by pressing the paper with a press bar.

10. Lay the paper on a piece of parchment to dry for at least 8 hours. When the paper is completely dry, sandwich it between two pieces of cotton and iron gently with a dry iron.