will keep ink from soaking too much into the paper, making it just right for writing. I found a 64-ounce bottle of liquid starch at Wal-Mart, 3300 Iowa St., for about $3 in the laundry aisle. Stick your hand in there and mix it up so that the pulp does not settle at the bottom.
On this next step patience is a virtue. Roll up your sleeves and submerge your mold into the sink. Gently move it from side to side, letting the pulp settle onto the mold. Slowly lift your mold out of the water and let the water drain off. This will take longer with pantyhose. This is where you'll know if your paper looks too thick or too thin and if you should add or take away pulp from your mixture.
The rest of the process is a little tricky and you might need the help of a friend or roommate. When the water stops draining, place a piece of fabric—it should be cut to at least cover your entire mold-on top of your mold. Carefully flip the mold over onto the fabric and use a sponge to press out additional water, wringing the sponge out often.
I found that it was best to lay the fabric with the mold on top of it on the counter and let it dry for a few moments. If you try to pull the mold up too fast, the paper will stick to the mold and not the fabric. Use a hairdryer on low heat over the mold to speed up the process. When you are confident it is dry, start easing the mold up. You may have to get down to eye level and lightly pull at the edges
of the paper with your finger. Keep in mind that you will not come out with perfect, straight-edged paper. By pulling the edges with your finger, you allow the paper to dry faster, and you will create a ragged, antique affect. If you don't like this, you can cut straight edges.
Lay your sheets of paper out on your pieces of fabric on countertops and tables where they will not be disturbed. Stack the pieces of paper on the fabric on top of one another and press with a weight for a day or two to prevent the edges from curling.
-Tabatha Beerbower, Jayplay writer, can be reached at tbeerbower@kansan.com.
CREATIVE TOUCHES
- Impressions: Adding a cardboard or sponge shape right before pressing your paper will leave impressions of the object on the paper when it dries.
Painting: Use acrylic paints to leave elegant, personal touches on each sheet.
Imprints: Before you press your paper, add flattened, dried flowers, leaves or grasses. It is important to press the paper with a weight to insure your additives stay on the paper.
- Sparkle: Add different colors of glitter, sequins or specks of aluminum foil to your pulp mixture to create a sparkle effect in your paper.
adapted from www.cvok.net
Zach Strauss/Kansan
Pantyhose and a hanger create the mold necessary for making your own paper. The last step in paper creating is to lift the mold off of the fabric, after the paper is completely dry.
thursday, november 20, 2003
jayplay 13