All set up to experiment with paper making — a tank full of water and paper scraps — a newly made frame with fine netting — sponge — strainer — old mixer and loads of scraps of old sheeting to dry the paper on. The only thing which is hindering progress is the new layer of snow everywhere, with a constant drizzle of sleet/rain/snow which will prevent me from hanging out the paper to dry. Why not indoors you might ask? Simple answer to that really — the flat is too tiny to dedicate space to a hanging up area.
But aside from all the minor problems, I think I have worked out the process well enough, so I’ll go through the steps just to remind myself:
Large container for paper scraps to soak (half filled with water)
Lots of ripped up scraps — and here lies one of my biggest doubts regarding the outcome of the finished paper.
Which paper is best to use? I’ll only know that afterwards when I see the results. For the moment I’ve used up old A4 sheets of printing throwouts, carton innards of loo rolls, various types of medium weight non-glossy paper
A frame with fine mesh wire netting. The wired area is just larger that an A4 sheet of paper. Made the frame from a canvas covered artist’s frame which I cut down to size before adding netting
A sponge
Large plastic ‘scoop’ colander to scoop up scraps into blender
A smaller container to collect the blended paper pulp
Large scraps of old sheeting which I’ll probably cut down to a size slightly larger than the A4 sheets of paper. This fabric will serve as a base to turn out each new sheet of wet paper pulp for drying
Let’s not forget the blender in all this — though some swear by hand mashed paper, I’m the first to admit that I’ll be happy to go with technology on this one.
When I have mastered this new skill, I might be adding dried flowers or other decorative bits to the paper as it dries. Too early to let my imagination run wild at this stage!
Well I think that just about rounds it up, so all I need now is some decent weather to get started. Watch this space for progress!
Example of what NOT to do!
More haste, less speed as they say. In my rush to sponge off the excess water, I worked too fast and the pulp was pulled up by the sponge.If this should happen to you — just tip the pulp back into the container with the rest, and start again.
