Anyone tried Paper Making?

[SleepySuzy]

Was thinking of having a go. Is it hard? Where do you start? Is it worth buying a kit?

[SleepySuzy]

no-one then?

[Whizzz]

No - sorry !
Have a look on one of the craft sites (Hobbycraft ?) to see if they give you any tips.

[SoupDragon]

I've doe it (a long time ago!) you need a frame which has a net base to it (piciture frame with netting stretched taut should suffice). IIRC, you soak paper, pulp it in a blender and then ... er... my mind's gone blank! You have to get it to spread out over the frame somehow!! Then you knock out the paper onto a drying cloth (J cloths work) and leave it to dry and make another sheet etc etc. Really easy for basic paper and quite satisfying.

[SoupDragon]

I had a kit - it's somewhere up in my spare room at the moment!

[SleepySuzy]

Thanks, SD, was just thinking about buying a kit, and couldn't make my mind up.

[Dingle]

I think the kits work out pretty expensive for what they are. It can all be tried out with basic equipment you have at thome. I really must make a few more batches! I have only made a few lots but I used an old plastic embroidery frame with some netting stretched over it. But I know others have used an old picture frame.

I think that if you try it and find you enjoy it it would be worth getting a proper frame.
I am sure there were some good instructions online somewhere, I'll have a quick look. Might inspire me too!

[hi5]

I have made it before and used it on my cards - I still have the kit and fully intend to use it again. I went into craftworld the other day and saw a very simple instruction book on how to make and embellish paper projects which I thought was concise with good photographs - it was about £5.00 I think.
You have to be ready to make the paper - ie have a good drying day and plenty of space, the blender has to be working and you need to have collected the different types of paper you want to process - I wanted to go along the natural route with grasses and petals etc, consequently I have several tubs filled with dried flowers etx ready to go into the paper. Autumn is a good time to collect lots of the pretty leaves to press and dry and include in your paper. I have some examples left of papers I made - most importantly you must experiment - which requires space, time and often includes mucho mess which dp's are bound to notice.

[SleepySuzy]

Do you just use a normal food blender?

[hi5]

Yes I did - but it's broken at the moment - dh did it not the paper.

[Dingle]

What colours did you make hi5, and what did you use to colour them. I have only used dark shade of serviettes, which worked quite well.

I have cut and hung out some lavender to dry to use in one of my next batches. I have loads of paper to recycle, stashed away in the garage, but like you say, it does take a bit of time and causes so much mess. Well mine seems too!

[SleepySuzy]

Is it hard work then?

[Dingle]

It not hard, just a bit messy and you do take up quite a bit of room. S be prepared to overtake your kitchen...or where ever!

I ususally get DS to help tear/shred the paper and soak it. He also helps mixing the coloured serviettes to see what colour it turns out. The pulp is quite a fun texture,but is little hands are helping be prepared for double the mess.

One thing I do like is that you never really know quite how the paper will turn out! I suppose if you made it on regular basis and were strict on the "ingredients"

It's not hard, quite fun and definatley worth a go, but like I mentioned don't go out spending until you know you will really use the equipment.

[SleepySuzy]

Ta, Dingle x

[Dingle]

Somewhere I do have very basic instructions in a magazine. Do you want me to see if I can find it and scan it in for you? If so either CAT me, or email me on dinglescards at yahoo.co.uk

[SleepySuzy]

Fanx, email sent.