SUPPLIES
SCRAPS OF PAPER
WOODEN DECKLE & MOULD
BLENDER
FLOWERS (fresh or dried)
SHALLOW CONTAINER OR KITCHEN SINK (I used my kitchen sink)
LARGE FLAT WOODEN BOARD
You can make your own deckle & mould or purchase one ready-made. I got mine from Etsy, which you can find here.
Always keep your art supplies separate from you cooking supplies. I found a vintage blender at a local thrift shop for a few dollars.
I forged for flowers locally and pressed them for two weeks prior to making my paper.
I purchased a 2’ x 2’, 1/2” thick, wooden board from Lowe’s for about $10, which you can find here.
STEP 1:
- TEAR UP THE PAPER SCRAPS INTO SMALL PIECES
-EACH PIECE SHOULD BE ABOUT 1/2” BY 1/2”
STEP 2:
-PUT YOUR PAPER INTO THE BLENDER
- ADD ENOUGH WATER TO COVER OVER THE PAPER
- STIR & THEN LET SIT FOR 15-20 MINUTES
- BLEND BY PULSING THE UNTIL IT TURNS INTO A PULP- THIS IS CALLED SLURRY
STEP 3:
- FILL UP YOU CONTAINER OR SINK WITH ABOUT 4 INCHES OF WATER
- POUR YOUR SLURRY (PULP) INTO THE SINK
STEP 4:
- PLACE YOU DECKLE ON TOP OF YOUR MOULD
- DIP YOUR DECKLE AND MOULD INTO THE WATER BELOW THE PULP
- SPRINKLE FLOWERS INTO THE WATER ABOVE YOUR DECKLE AND MOULD
- PULL THE DECKLE AND MOULD STRAIGHT UP OUT OF THE WATER QUICKLY
STEP 5:
- CAREFULLY REMOVE THE DECKLE FROM THE MOULD
STEP 6:
FLIP YOUR MOULD UPSIDE DOWN ONTO THE WOODEN BOARD
- USE THE SPONGE TO BLOT THE BACK OF THE MOULD - PRESS DOWN GENTLY WITH THE SPONGE TO ABSORB THE EXCESS WATER
- RING OUT THE SPONGE & REPEAT UNTIL YOU HAVE REMOVED MOST OF THE EXCESS WATER
STEP 7:
- CAREFULLY & SLOWLY REMOVE THE MOULD
- ALLOW THE PAPER TO DRY FULLY BEFORE REMOVING IT FROM THE BOARD
- THIS WILL TAKE 1-3 HOURS DEPENDING ON HOW THICK YOU PAPER IS & HOW MUCH WATER IT ABSORBED
