Adding Color To Your Papermaking
Once you get the hang of making paper, you can employ several different ways to add color. Both powdered paints and liquid paints will tint your pulp before you form them into sheets. Or, you can experiment with tearing up small bits of colored paper. Tea and coffee will also act as a dye. And food coloring is a good source of color.
Making an Envelope
Why limit your paper making to stationery when it is simple to take the process one step further to make envelopes as well? Here¡¯s how. Buy a small piece of vinyl at the fabric store. You can probably find one in the remnant bin. Cut the vinyl to fit the inside of your deckle. Then take an envelope, trace it onto the center of the vinyl and cut it out with an x-acto knife. Place the vinyl in your mold and you have a perfect pattern. This concept also works well for creating shaped papers too.
Storing quantities of Pulp
It¡¯s not as hard as you might think to make a run of similar papers. To make a series, just tear up a greater quantity of paper or fabric to soak for pulp. This mixture can be stored in a closed jar in your refrigerator. It can also be stored indefinitely in a freezer bag in the freezer. That way, you can produce the quantity you want over whatever period of time you need.
Adding Texture to Homemade paper
Texture is a great thing to add to your paper making and can add visual interest as well when the material is chosen wisely. Torn tissue paper, confetti, flower seeds, embroidery thread, leaves, and so much more can turn an ordinary piece of paper into a work of art. It¡¯s a lot of fun to experiment with materials to see what develops. Flowers and leaves can make some elegant papers. Sparkles and confetti will turn your paper more festive.
TheHistory of Making Paper
Papermaking has been experiencing a revival in the crafting world. And the paper making process is a fun activity to do with your kids or in the classroom. And since the origins of papermaking go all the way back to ancient Egypt and China, there¡¯s a good history lesson in the process too.
Making Paper
To make a sheet of paper you have to create a suspension of cellulose fibers in water. Newspapers are a popular and readily available source of fiber, however you can also use gift wrap, magazines, fabric and even your junk mail. What a great new way to recycle your garbage into beautiful and useful pieces of art and stationery.
Making Your Own Papermaking Mold
It¡¯s easier than you might think to make your own papermaking mold at home. Use embroidery hoops as your frame and cut some screening at least two inches larger than the hoops. Stretch the screening over one hoop and then tighten the screening when placing the top hoop on much in the same way you would a piece of embroidery, and you have it. And the finer a screen you use, the finer the paper you can make.
Paper Making Kits
Paper making supplies are readily available in most art supply stores and craft stores. You can even take a look at the types of art papers they have in stock for inspiration while you are there. Don¡¯t overlook the idea of buying a paper making kit to help get you or your child started. They are wonderful stepping off places, containing everything you need to get started, as well as well-written instructions. They even make great gifts.