How to Make Handmade Paper

Making your own paper will provide you with a supply of one of a kind sheets that can be used in crafts or simply as writing paper. Altering the color and texture of the scrap paper you add to the mix will change the final results. With a little experimentation, you will soon learn to create just the effect you are looking for to complete your projects or even to create scrap book pages.

Things You'll Need

• Scrap paper (newspapers, junk mail)
• Water
• Wire Screen
• Embroidery Hoop

Instructions

1. Gather an assortment of old paper. You can use a combination of types, or aim for one particular color. Adding white paper will produce pastel colors when used with brightly colored scraps. Printed paper will create a grey paper with black specks.

2. Tear or cut your paper scraps into 2 inch squares. You may even want to run your paper through the shredder.

3. Soak the paper in tepid water for 12 hours.

4. Place 1/2 cup of pulp in the blender and puree until the pulp is smooth and creamy. Repeat with additional pulp.

5. Fill a dishpan 1/2 full with warm water. Add 1 cup of pulp and mix well.

6. Prepare your screen by opening the embroidery hoop and covering the bottom with the wire screen. Replace the cover being sure to secure the edges of the screen between the two hoops. Make sure the surface of the screen is pulled taut and even.

7. Dip your mold into the pulp and water mixture and left out of the water. Wiggle back and forth to create a nice smooth sheet of paper. Drain excess water.

8. Remove the wire screen being careful not to disturb the the layer of pulp. Lay on old newspapers to dry.

9. Insert a new screen in the hoop and repeat the process.