Handmade Paper

[dreamisle]

Hey there. I've been experimenting with making handmade paper using recycled junk mail and such. I don't have a blender so I mash the pulp by hand. I don't have a screen for the mould and deckle so I use meshy foam cupboard liner/placemat stuff to make it. The first batch sucked, but this is from the second batch. It's thin, sturdy, and has a unique texture from the foam mesh. I think it's kinda like cheap cardboard but my dad says it looks and feels like asbestos. Weird.



Let me know what you think. I plan to make some smaller pieces for ATCs and send some to penpals for scrapbooking.

[stellato_escuro]

If you are just starting out papermaking, a nylon streched over a coated wire coat hanger works great instead of a mold and deckle.

[dreamisle]

I'll see if my mom has one. (I'm a guy.) Actually I like the texture this has but I'll try that method too. Thanks

[Crazy_dude6662]

i think its cool looking. i wanted to make paper, but its too "messy" according to my parents

[dreamisle]

i think its cool looking. i wanted to make paper, but its too "messy" according to my parents

Bah - my parents always question me. My mom is unexposed to arts and crafts and my dad is a raging drug addict, so I never listen to either of them. If you're at least 16 years old and think you can get away with it, I suggest trying to make a small batch anyway (not with their blender, NOT WITH THEIR BLENDER). My batch is relatively large, but I'm discreet about making the paper and didn't make a mess or anything. I just clean up at I go along and my parents had no problem with it. If you show them that you can be responsible they probably won't mind. If all else fails, as to do it in the garage/driveway so at least you can just hose down the mess later.

[Crazy_dude6662]

yea. i was thinking of making a journal type thing for any ideas i get during the day or night and such, and i am hoping to use paper i made myself...


they dont own a blender, i do lol (i cook alot)

[dreamisle]

yea. i was thinking of making a journal type thing for any ideas i get during the day or night and such, and i am hoping to use paper i made myself...


they dont own a blender, i do lol (i cook alot)

I cook a lot too. Actually I suggest looking at a thrift store or rummage sale for a blender, although if you know how to take your blender cup apart to clean it you may be able to use the same one for food. If you have trouble finding what you need to make your own paper, I might be interested in a trade.

[Crazy_dude6662]

the only thing i would need it the deckle and mould, which i cant find anywhere to buy. and the instructions to make one are confusing lol

[Tanza]

for an easy deckel n mold, get an old picture frame or 2 and some window screen stuff( we call it fly wire) cut a piece slightly bigger than the frame, sandwich it between the 2 frames and use that.

[cherryrose]

Does someone have a tutorial on how to make your own paper, I would love to do it, but I don't know how! Hope my mom let's me do it, she's a clean freak And we don't have a blender so blender free tut's if thatts possible?