NEW: How to make paper at home video (scroll down)
I try to recycle and decided to put the mountain of waste newspaper, mail and printer paper that accumulates from daily life into good use! Not only does this make something pretty and practical...it teaches the kids about recyling, making paper and gives you something to do with them on a rainy day!
Page Update: (I found this video on YouTube - shows the process nicely! Instructions and materials may differ slightly from those below)
How to Make Paper: Materials and Instructions
You will need:
Old newspaper, mail, printer paper - avoid paper with a coating like most magazine papers
A large bowl
Warm water
A blender
Kitchen towel
A screen to strain the pulp: attach wire mesh or strong netting to a frame the size of the paper you want to make, but small enough to fit in your bowl
How to Make the Paper
Shred or tear the paper to half fill your blender
Add warm water to the top and blend until smooth
Put contents into a bowl and mix with more warm water
Dip the screen into the bowl just below the surface so that the pulp collects evenly across the surface of the screen
Let the water drain away and pat excess with kitchen towel
Press another piece of kitchen towel against the pulp sheet and carefully peel away from the screen
Allow to dry and then remove from the paper towel
Alter the Texture
Once you are used to the process you can experiment...
Try using different types of paper to see the different textures that you get, e.g. tissue paper, sweet papers, hole punch waste!
Add inclusions like glitter, thread, confetti, and even dried flowers placed into the paper (or sprinkle dried lavender)
Add food dye for coloured handmade paper
Try using spices or herbs for colours and fragrance, e.g. vanilla, peppermint, cinnamon, nutmeg, dill, thyme
Press textured fabric into the paper using lace, cord
Adjust the thickness of the pulp by using more or less water
Writing on Handmade Paper
I haven't tried this myself but apparently you can write on your handmade paper if you coat it with gelatin, as this stops the ink bleeding into the paper:
Dissolve 1 tablespoon of gelatin in half a cup of hot water, and then dilute further by adding another 3 cups of cold. Then dip a 'dry' sheet of your paper into the gelatin solution and allow to dry. Iron out later if need be.
