Family activities expert Dana Christine shows how to make paper.
Materials:
1 cup scraps per sheet of paper*
four 1-inch-thick x 1/2-inch-wide pieces of wood
two large pieces of wool felt
blender
window screen
tub
Steps:
- Once all the scrap paper is collected, tear them into pieces that are about one inch square. Sort scraps into fiber length and color, then choose the base color for the paper.
- Take a wire window screen and cut it to the same size as the paper. Make sure that the screen has no dents or curves in it. If making a lot of pieces of paper of the same size, create a frame for the window screen by cutting four one-inch thick by1/2-inch-wide pieces of wood. For an 8-by-10 piece of paper, cut a screen that is 10-by-12 so each side will overlap, making it easier to nail together.
- Set the frame over the wire screen and fasten with staples or nails. The frame should be attached firmly so that there are no big gaps between the wood and screen.
- Fill the blender approximately 3/4 full with water. Take a few scraps from the base color chosen, put them into the blender and blend in short bursts on medium-high. Work up the pulp by adding shorter fiber pieces of paper, then gradually add the longer fibers. Turn the blender on for a few moments each time paper scraps are added.
- Add decorative items. Do not blend these items, as they will be ruined in the blender.
- Fill the tub with at least one foot of water and pour in the pulp. Swirl the pulp in the tub and add a tablespoon of cornstarch.
- Dip the screen, frame side up, into the tub until it is immersed and move it back and forth until the pulp is disbursed throughout the water.
- Once the pulp is distributed across the surface of the screen, pull the frame straight up out of the tub. The pulp should fill the entire screen to make one sheet of paper. If the paper looks too thin, add more pulp to the tub and dip again. If it looks too thick, take some pulp out of the tub and re-dip the screen.
- Lay the screen frame side down over a large piece of felt and the pulp will slowly drop out of the frame. Give it a gentle tap if it doesn't drop out.
- Once it comes out of the frame, place another layer of felt over it and roll over with a rolling pin to squeeze out the excess water. Grab the two top corners and gently pull the paper off of the felt and hang it out to dry on a clothesline. It should only take about three hours, unless it is humid or cloudy. Hanging can be done indoors, but it's best to do it outside.
* When looking for scraps, try to choose paper that has an interesting texture. Check the paper by tearing it first. If it rips cleanly, it has short fibers and will create a smooth texture. If the fibers are longer, the paper will be harder to tear because long fibers create stronger paper. Use both types for paper that is both strong and smooth.
Other scraps that may be added to the paper are small flowers, leaves, glitter, colored thread or anything that floats. Decorative items should be cut in various sizes, from 1/8 of an inch to two inches, and set aside.
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