Instructions
- Step 1: Tear up the recycled paper Tear up several sheets of the recycled paper. Tear it until the pieces are postage-stamp sized, and then place them in the blender or food processor.
- TIP: Recycled paper sources include tissue, computer paper, paper bags, and envelopes. Newsprint contains too much ink.
- Step 2: Blend the recycled paper Add water to the blender, and then blend the mixture for 30 seconds, or until you see paper fibers evenly dispersed in cloudy water.
- Step 3: Add the pulp to a basin Pour the pulp into a large basin or stopped sink. Continue blending and adding pulp until the sink or basin is half full.
- Step 4: Dip the mold and deckle into the pulp Place the deckle on top of the paper mold. Dip them into the pulp at a 45-degree angle and draw them toward you.
- TIP: If you can’t find a mold and deckle at a craft store, construct your own from two flat picture frames with a screen attached to one of them.
- Step 5: Remove the mold and deckle from the pulp Raise the mold and deckle to the surface a continuous motion, and then remove them from the pulp. Allow the water to drain away.
- Step 6: Transfer the paper to a flat surface Remove the deckle and transfer the layer of pulp to a flat surface covered by a damp cloth by placing the mold upside down on the surface, and then raising it up.
- Step 7: Dry the paper Let the paper dry. If you wish, you can iron the wet piece of handmade paper between two sheets of fabric.
- FACT: Did you know? In China, paper was invented in the year 105 by a Chinese eunuch.
You Will Need
- Recycled paper
- A blender or food processor
- A basin or stopped sink
- A mold and deckle
- A flat surface
- A damp cloth
- An iron
- Two wet pieces of fabric
- Two flat picture frames (optional)
- A screen
