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Recycled Paper
Materials needed:
2 plastic dish pans or buckets
Measuring cup or other small pouring container
Water
Discarded paper (do not use too much newsprint or dark colored paper)
Fine wire screen or plastic screen, or a fine nylon net stretched over a large embroider hoop, or a paper-maker's mold
Food processor or blender
Towel
Sponge
Dried flowers, leaf, etc. (optional)
Fabric Fibers and thread (optional)
Instructions:
1) Tear the discarded paper into small pieces. The smaller the better it will work. Let soak in water overnight.
2) Place a handful of the soaked torn paper mixture into the food processor
or blender and with 2 cups water, blend for 15 to 30 seconds. Heavier paper may take up to 60 seconds.
Check to see that there are no longer any large pieces of paper visible. If so blend for 10 more seconds.
3) As you make the pulp, pour into your dish pan or bucket until you have enough pulp to work with.
Flowers, fibers, threads, etc. may be added to the pulp just before the next step or after step 5.
4) Using the measuring cup, pour cups of the pulp mixture over your screen or net which is
placed over the other dish pan or bucket to catch the runoff.
Try to pour evenly overyour mold, OR you may stir your mixture in its
pan and then dip in the mold to capture the pulp.
Be sure to shake it slightly back and forth to even the pulp coverage on the mold.
Remove the mold or screen.
5) Gently shake off the excess water. Don't over shake or your fibers will separate and the paper will not hold.
6) Allow to drain a few more minutes, then mop excess water from your frame or hoop if using.
Place on towel and allow more water to be absorbed. Wring out your sponge into your pulp mixture.
7) Allow your sheet of paper to dry. You may use an oven on the lowest setting to dry
your paper faster, be sure not to use too much heat, it will cause the
paper to curl or the fibers to separate which makes the paper weak.
Unused pulp may be stored in glass jars or air-tight plastic containers. If you are using nylon net with a hoop, you may remove the net from the hoop while the paper is drying which allow for reuse with another piece of nylon net. The nylon with drying sheets of paper may be placed on towels or felt sheets to dry and allow for water absorption. You will need to spray your finished paper with a fixative if you wish to use ink on it.
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