| We often consider making paper to be a very | | | | and use short bursts. If you blend for too long your |
| complicated, skilled process and of course, that can be | | | | paper will be very smooth and you won't have that |
| true. But it's not hard to craft paper yourself at home | | | | rustic, handmade quality which is so attractive. Put the |
| with very little equipment. The only special item you'll | | | | blended pulp into another container. A blenderful will |
| need is a mould. This is a wooden frame with a mesh | | | | make about 1 letter-sized sheet, so continue until |
| stretched across it to act as a filter or sieve. It's very | | | | you've blended as much as you think you'll need. |
| simple to make your own mould - just fasten four | | | | Now comes the even more fun part - making the |
| pieces of wood together in a rectangular shape to | | | | paper! You can add all sorts of small things to give |
| make the frame. Use 3/4" x 2" wood (20 x 50 mm) | | | | your paper an individual feel. For a country theme add |
| and make the inner dimensions of the frame the size | | | | some tiny feathers or pressed leaves and flowers. For |
| of the paper you want to make. The frame needs to | | | | Christmas or a child's party you can add sparkles, or |
| be about 2" (200 mm) in depth. Then cover the frame | | | | tiny foil shapes. If you'd like to colour the paper, you |
| with tightly stretched mesh - mosquito net or just a | | | | can use natural dyes like blueberry or beetroot juice, |
| piece of net curtain is fine. Make sure it's securely | | | | onion skins, turmeric or coffee grounds, or you can |
| fastened to the edge of the frame. You'll also need a | | | | purchase commercial dyes from craft stores. Just stir |
| large container to hold water, about the size of a baby | | | | your dye into the pulp, adding a little at a time until you |
| bath. | | | | have the colour you want. Remember though, the |
| Now you're ready - let's get started! To make the pulp | | | | colour will lighten as the pulp dries. |
| collect together a variety of unwanted paper (this craft | | | | Stir the pulp well and dip your frame vertically into the |
| is great for recycling). avoid newspaper (not pretty) | | | | far side of your container then, in one smooth |
| and glossy magazines (the gloss makes them | | | | movement, tip it towards you so it's lying horizontally |
| unsuitable) but you can use tissues, art paper, | | | | beneath the pulp and lift it out, holding it level. Then, |
| envelopes, discarded letter paper or copier paper - | | | | quickly, before the water's drained away, give it a little |
| these are all suitable. Then tear the paper into about 1" | | | | shake to even it out. Don't wait too long before doing |
| (25 mm) square pieces and soak it in water. The | | | | this or the paper will become too dry and tear when |
| soaking time depends on the paper you're using. | | | | you shake it. If this happens, just scrape it back into the |
| Tissues will take under an hour, while high quality paper | | | | container and try again. |
| may take up to 3 days. Using hot water will speed up | | | | Leave your frame to drain, then place in a warm place |
| the process. | | | | to dry out. This will take anything from 2 - 24 hours. |
| The next step is to macerate the paper in a blender or | | | | Then peel it from the frame using a palette knife. |
| food processor. Add a couple of cups of water to | | | | That's it - you're done! Crafting your own homemade |
| each small handful of the paper. (225 ml). You only | | | | paper is a great family activity - why not get the kids |
| want to blend until the fibres separate, so be cautious | | | | involved too? |