How to Make Handmade Paper With Children - Basic Technique

Making handmade paper is wonderful hands on tactile, multi sensory project for children. I have done this project with children as young as 3years old and it is enjoyed by kids of all ages.... This is the basic technique... See the resouce on Embellishments for more advance techniques and embellishments... also an article on painting your papers for mounting or for making cards... Look for them also in resources....

But lets get started with the basic technique

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Prepared paper pulp or
• scraps of good quality paper for recycling
• high power blender or food processor
• water
• corn starch for sizing
• baking soda to neutralize the acidity of the slurry
• plastic embrodery hoops
• tulle fabric cut slightly larger than the hoops
• a plastic bin or dishpan... clean
• A large flat area to lay paper out to dry

1. If you are recycling paper scraps they must first be pulped... Tear them into small pieces... smaller than one inch squared.

2. Place a small handful into the blender with two cups of water and one teaspoon of cornstarch and blend until they are pulped.... a very thin puree.... no chunks... Empty the pulp into the plastic bin. The cornstarch will act a sizing in your finished paper to prevent ink from running on it as you write.

3. Repeat step 2 until all the paper has been pulped and added to the bin. Stir the pulp into a slurry... it will settle so you must stir it often.
   
   If you are using commercial pulp... mix it according to package directions and add it to your bin to make slurry

4. Place a piece of tulle net into an embroidery hoop stretched fairly taut as if you were going to embroider on it.

5. stir your slurry

6. hold your hoop between your two hands and lower it into the slurry

7. swish it back and forth sideways... gently

8. holding your hoop flat... parallel to the bottom of the bin, gently draw it up through the slurry. This is called "pulling" the paper

9. hold it over the slurry and let it drain. You should see a thin layer of pulp covering the top of the tulle in the hoop... This is your paper... or will be when it is dried and removed from the tulle...

10. It is possible to couch the paper off the tulle at this time to allow it to dry... but I do not recommend it... It is very difficult for children to master the technique and many sheets of paper will be ruined in the process.... instead we will remove the tulle from the hoop and allow the paper to dry on the tulle and then remove the paper from the tulle netting...

11. So..... place one hand under the hoop and support the paper bearing tulle from underneath the hoop.... with the other hand release the hoop and remove the upper hoop..... allow the lower hoop to drop down over your wrist and arm and lift the paper bearing tulle from your supporting hand. Lay the paper bearing tulle onto a flat surface to dry. The paper will dry fairly quickly depending on the thickness of the pulp.

12. Reload your hoop with a fresh piece of tulle, stir your slurry and repeat steps 5 through 11 until you have tired of making paper. Allow the children to participate in the process as much as they are able depending on their age.... Most will need you to load the hoops and to help with unloading them.. They will usually manage the rest.

13. When the paper sheets on the tulle have dried, the tulle can be peeled from the back of the sheet of paper very easily and the paper can be stored in a dry place.... I would place waxed paper between the sheets if you are not certain they are 100% dry before storing.

14. You may strain your pulp out of your slurry and store it for a future use. It should be stored in the freezer. Or you can mix paste or glue into it and use it as paper mache. If stored or used for another project keep one factor in mind.... it is not a sterile product.... and it had lots of grubby little hands in it... so it may contain bacteria... use your judgement about reusing it. You may add bleach to the slurry to disinfect it before straining and freezing it.

15. To reuse it simply place small chunks into the blender or food processor with water and whir it back into a slurry.

16. You may press your new paper between pieced of felt to flatten and smooth it if you wish... load a stack of felt and paper, alternating the two and place a heavy object... like a book on top to press the paper... Many people like the more rustic look of unpressed handmade paper.

17. The edges may be left with a rustic finish or trimmed for a more finished look... it is up to you

18. Enjoy
    
    Angel

Tips & Warnings

• Add a small quantity of baking soda to your slurry to neutralize the acidic nature of the slurry. This will make your paper non acidic and it will last longer
• Make plenty of sheets while you are pulling paper... you will find uses for them all....
• Take some time to get to know your paper..
• See the resource below on Embellishments for more advanced techniques in Embellishing your paper
• Give your paper time to dry... it will mold if you do not
• Store your unused pulp in the freezer... it will mold in the fridge or at room temperature...

Resources

• Making Handmade Paper Embellishments

[Beverlyz]

on 4/24/2009 Very interesting craft project!

[Beverlyz]

on 4/24/2009 Very interesting craft project!

[Beverlyz]

on 4/24/2009 Very interesting craft project!

[Beverlyz]

on 4/24/2009 Very interesting craft project!

[Beverlyz]

on 4/24/2009 Very interesting craft project!