This is is the easiest way to make handmade paper I know. You need:
laundry starch (we call this gawgaw in my country, the Philippines)
tub or basin big enough for the mould and deckle to fit
mug to transfer water
a pail of water
used paper
newspapers
sponge or chamois
Basic Instructions:
Tear used paper into pieces about 1/2" square.
Put torn paper up to 1/3 full in blender. Add water until 2/3 full. Blend 2-3 seconds. Repeat until you get the desired consistency.
Pour mixture into tub. Repeat procedure with blender until it is about 4" deep or more.
Add laundry starch to mixture to serve as binder.
Hold the mould and deckle firmly together with deckle uppermost and screen in between. Dip into tub and scoop up pulp. This is the more traditional dipping method. You may also choose to pour the pulp into the mold straight from the blender. Do this after filling the pan with 3" of water.
Lift frames up and let water drain back into tub. Shake gently to distribute fibers evenly. Continue draining by tipping from one corner.
Carefully separate deckle, and lay mould upside down (with wet pulp on the underside) on a folded sheet of newspaper.
Soak up excess water with sponge pressed against screen surface.
Slowly separate mould from the sheet. If paper still sticks to mould, this means you need to remove more water with the sponge.
Let paper sheets dry for 1/2 to 1 day. When they are dry, you can easily separate them from the newspaper.
There are lots of projects you can do with Handmade paper. And if you have questions about the process, click here, and maybe, I've got the answers for you. You may also e-mail me at patsypat at smartbuddy.com.ph if you need help.
