Paper Making

I've always wanted to make my own paper, after I did it during craft night at the local library. I gave it up after a failed attempt at making my own frames. But now it sounds like a cool idea again.

How to make paper, with help from funsci.com, among other websites

Supplies

• deckle: wooden frame {idea: frames from dollar tree!}
• mold: sieve with holes of about 1 mm {budget saver: tulle}
  
• formica sheet {anything hard and flat in the right size will suffice, like if a picture frame is used, the glass could substitute for the formica}
• rectangular container large enough to fit the frame
• mortar and pestle or blender
• jug
• hairdryer
• newspaper {this tutorial recycles newspaper into paper; other materials could be used for a different effect: tissue paper, toilet paper, colored paper, printer paper,magazines, old cards, paper bags, napkins, construction paper, etc
• optional additions: dried grass, flowers
• flat sponge
• water

Instructions

• cover one side of the frame with the mold (screen, tulle, whatever)
  
• soak the paper in water for a long time
• in the funsci.com tutorial, excess water is sqeezed out of the paper, which is then crushed into a fine paste using the mortar and pestle, then added to the water. an alternative is to simply blend the paper-water mix
• add paper mix to the rectangular container, adding water to get the right consistency {and some liquid starch, if wanted} this is also when you can add extra bits of torn up paper or other optional additions to get a unique finish
• immerse the frame into the paste, with the sieve side facing down. slowly remove it, with a layer of paper paste on top of the mold

• let the water drain, place the formica/hard surface on top of the paste to sqeeze out more water; use the sponge to suck water from the bottom through the mold
• flip over the frame so that the paper rests on the formica
• now it just has to dry! at the library, we flipped it onto paper towels, which help suck out moisture. you could use the hair dryer to speed up the drying process, or hang dry from a clothesline.

finished product:

I'd love to add another paper-making post later, with my own pictures and results :)