Making your own paper can be a fun craft project. You can then use the paper for scrap booking or even as part of a collage or framed art. The process of making your own paper is forgiving, because the pieces of paper you recycle can be any kind - even your junk mail.
First you will need bits of paper that you intend to recycle. They can be any size and any kind; you can even use different kinds. It all depends on how you want the end product to turn out. Rip the pieces into small bits and put them in a blender, filling it about half full. Thread, string, yarn and even dryer lint can be added for some interesting texture.
Next fill the blender with warm water, and blend at a low speed. Gradually increase the blender speed until your mixture looks smooth. There shouldn't be any flecks of paper left.
Now you will need a mold for your homemade paper. This can obviously be of any size and shape. Stretching a regular ol' window screen over a wood frame should do fine. You could use a picture frame or embroidery hoop, along with a screen.
Fill your sink with water, about half way. Then fill it with your pulp mixture; 3 blenders worth.
Stir everything and add 2 teaspoons starch. The starch is optional, but you may want to add it if you plan to write on your paper. The starch helps keep ink from bleeding.
Now pick up your mold, and dip it into your paper mixture. Move it around until the mixture is placed evenly throughout the mold. Lift up the mold and wait for it to stop dripping. Place the mold upside down on a flat surface covered with a towel. (You want your paper to be in direct contact with the towel).
Press out as much excess liquid as possible, with a sponge.
Gently turn over the mold and peel off the paper. If the paper is too wet or you pull too fast it may stick. Once it's peeled off, place it somewhere flat to dry safely. Laying your paper on top of damp cloth, with another damp cloth on top, works best. You can alternate cloth and paper, making a whole stack, and weigh down the top.
First you will need bits of paper that you intend to recycle. They can be any size and any kind; you can even use different kinds. It all depends on how you want the end product to turn out. Rip the pieces into small bits and put them in a blender, filling it about half full. Thread, string, yarn and even dryer lint can be added for some interesting texture.
Next fill the blender with warm water, and blend at a low speed. Gradually increase the blender speed until your mixture looks smooth. There shouldn't be any flecks of paper left.
Now you will need a mold for your homemade paper. This can obviously be of any size and shape. Stretching a regular ol' window screen over a wood frame should do fine. You could use a picture frame or embroidery hoop, along with a screen.
Fill your sink with water, about half way. Then fill it with your pulp mixture; 3 blenders worth.
Stir everything and add 2 teaspoons starch. The starch is optional, but you may want to add it if you plan to write on your paper. The starch helps keep ink from bleeding.
Now pick up your mold, and dip it into your paper mixture. Move it around until the mixture is placed evenly throughout the mold. Lift up the mold and wait for it to stop dripping. Place the mold upside down on a flat surface covered with a towel. (You want your paper to be in direct contact with the towel).
Press out as much excess liquid as possible, with a sponge.
Gently turn over the mold and peel off the paper. If the paper is too wet or you pull too fast it may stick. Once it's peeled off, place it somewhere flat to dry safely. Laying your paper on top of damp cloth, with another damp cloth on top, works best. You can alternate cloth and paper, making a whole stack, and weigh down the top.
Comments
yeah, this would be time consuming. You'd have to like craft projects in order for this to be a fun use of time.
Wow. It seems like this would take more time than some people are willing to do.
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