I have temporarily retreated into my analytical self. Having figured out how to make paper, I'm all about the research right now.
In addition to lurking around my Yahoo Handmade Paper (HMP) community, I'm reading:
• Helen Hieberts's, "The Papermaker's Companion"
• Mary & Heidi Reimer's, "300 Papermaking Recipes"
• Mary & Heidi Reimer's, "Encyclopedia of Papermaking and Bookbinding"
• Google and IceRocket results for Papermaking, Moulds & Deckles, and any other keywords I can think of
I found a 1975 Wilton candy mold of six rosettes that should make great paper castings.
Researching papier-mache, for making bowls covered with HMP.
Researching shaped deckles for making envelopes, shapes, small gift boxes in conjunction with the Sizzix die-cut/embossing machine.
However, I can't really complete any projects that include the above methods without raw materials, so tomorrow, I make paper. I've been gathering raw materials the whole while, so I have plenty of "food" for the blender.
Monday, August 29, 2005
Saturday, August 13, 2005
Two new sheets and a happy mistake
LOL. The Universe has a sense of humor today.
I made two sheets from a single cigarette box, to get a thinner paper. I added the wax strips from two NetFlix envelopes for sizing. Put that mini-post in the press as usual.
Then I went to make a yellow sheet. My idea was to make a thick, fibrous sheet from which to make candle flames for a birthday card. I used an entire sheet of yellow office paper, blendered and poured the sheet, and then moved it directly from the mould to a couch sheet, without pressing any water out. I put it on the patio table to dry in the sun, figuring the water would evaporate and leave me with a very fluffy sheet.
Very pleased with myself, I came into the office to make this entry. Two minutes later, I heard rain. (LOL again) I jumped over to the kitchen window, and sure enough, big heavy droplets were attacking my nice yellow paper. I ran out to retrieve it. It looks like swiss cheese now. And I was worried that a bird would poop on it.
I believe everything happens for a reason. I think I can hear God chuckling.
I made two sheets from a single cigarette box, to get a thinner paper. I added the wax strips from two NetFlix envelopes for sizing. Put that mini-post in the press as usual.
Then I went to make a yellow sheet. My idea was to make a thick, fibrous sheet from which to make candle flames for a birthday card. I used an entire sheet of yellow office paper, blendered and poured the sheet, and then moved it directly from the mould to a couch sheet, without pressing any water out. I put it on the patio table to dry in the sun, figuring the water would evaporate and leave me with a very fluffy sheet.
Very pleased with myself, I came into the office to make this entry. Two minutes later, I heard rain. (LOL again) I jumped over to the kitchen window, and sure enough, big heavy droplets were attacking my nice yellow paper. I ran out to retrieve it. It looks like swiss cheese now. And I was worried that a bird would poop on it.
I believe everything happens for a reason. I think I can hear God chuckling.
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Three new sheets, with inclusion
I got a box of stuff from the UPS man today:
• More couch sheets (I'm beginning to think I can't have too many.)
• Three casting moulds: Evergreen trees; a fall leaf; and four small leaves.
• A booklet on paper castingg
• Some mint green iridescent flakes (shiny!)
New Sheets
I made three sheets: green cigarette box, red NetFlix paper, and recycled form letter paper.
I put a pinch of the iridescent flakes in each one.
The first sheet, I blended the pulp, then put a healthy pinch of flakes in and whirled for a second.
The second and third, I added a smaller pinch (less is more!) with the pulp. Of course, i got smaller flakes. They're in the press now; we'll see in a couple of days.
Research
I'm going to read about casting tonight, so I can try out the moulds. I really want to move on to casting bowls, but baby steps are best.
Also, I spent some time last night researching Native American symbols. Pictographs/Ideographs seem perfect for begiining to paint with pulp.
Other Ideas
• I found an empty "Thank You" card box that's perfect for handmade paper. I'm going to use it as a model to make a template. That way I can deliver my handmade notecards and envelopes in a handmade box to match. Because it's all about the pretty.
• I also found an old note tray, from the days when I dreamed about writing long, poetic love letters. It's a lucite tray that holds half sheets and envelopes, with a lucite press to keep the paper flat. I'm storing my handmade paper there now. Some of the linen note paper is in my recycle stack now, and the rest is ready for use in the laser and inkjet printers.
• More couch sheets (I'm beginning to think I can't have too many.)
• Three casting moulds: Evergreen trees; a fall leaf; and four small leaves.
• A booklet on paper castingg
• Some mint green iridescent flakes (shiny!)
New Sheets
I made three sheets: green cigarette box, red NetFlix paper, and recycled form letter paper.
I put a pinch of the iridescent flakes in each one.
The first sheet, I blended the pulp, then put a healthy pinch of flakes in and whirled for a second.
The second and third, I added a smaller pinch (less is more!) with the pulp. Of course, i got smaller flakes. They're in the press now; we'll see in a couple of days.
Research
I'm going to read about casting tonight, so I can try out the moulds. I really want to move on to casting bowls, but baby steps are best.
Also, I spent some time last night researching Native American symbols. Pictographs/Ideographs seem perfect for begiining to paint with pulp.
Other Ideas
• I found an empty "Thank You" card box that's perfect for handmade paper. I'm going to use it as a model to make a template. That way I can deliver my handmade notecards and envelopes in a handmade box to match. Because it's all about the pretty.
• I also found an old note tray, from the days when I dreamed about writing long, poetic love letters. It's a lucite tray that holds half sheets and envelopes, with a lucite press to keep the paper flat. I'm storing my handmade paper there now. Some of the linen note paper is in my recycle stack now, and the rest is ready for use in the laser and inkjet printers.
Grass sheets out of press
Well, the sheets with the grass inclusions came out of the press today. They're pretty ugly.
• Flecks are better than strands. The shorter the grass got, the better it looked.
• Less is more. The first sheet, with a good pinch of grass, just looks horrid.
Remember how the fresher grass seemed to lay on top of the paper? Well, it pressed in pretty well.
So the lesson is, cut 1/8" to 1/4" pieces for inclusion.
Next step: Try pressing the grass before including it.
• Flecks are better than strands. The shorter the grass got, the better it looked.
• Less is more. The first sheet, with a good pinch of grass, just looks horrid.
Remember how the fresher grass seemed to lay on top of the paper? Well, it pressed in pretty well.
So the lesson is, cut 1/8" to 1/4" pieces for inclusion.
Next step: Try pressing the grass before including it.
Sunday, August 07, 2005
Newer sheets
Since the cigarettte-box sheets turned out so well, i decided to stick with them and play with inclusions. I have ornamental grass growing in a tin, and had trimmed it earlier in the week, so I left that to dry. It incorporated into the pulp well, but it was wimpy and discolored. I tried snipping some fresh grass, about 1/2-inch long, and that was actually worse. Everything is still drying (I made the paper Saturday, Aug. 6.
The photos I took of the first sheets aren't ready to go yet. I have to color-correct them in PhotoShop first. And I'm out of energy for the weekend.
The photos I took of the first sheets aren't ready to go yet. I have to color-correct them in PhotoShop first. And I'm out of energy for the weekend.
Monday, August 01, 2005
Major Lesson Learned
One can't have too many couch sheets.
I wanted to experiment more this past weekend, but I don't have any dry couch sheets. If discovered that it takes about 30-60 seconds to get water into cellulose, but it takes days to get it out.
As much as I want an 8-1/2 x 11 pour mold to make matching envelopes, I think I need more couch sheets first.
I'll take photos of the first 8 sheets and post them tomorrow (I hope).
The cigarette box sheets came out beautifully, so I prepped more of them to pour. I'd like to make small memory books for some friends.
Over the weekend, while I was tapping my toes waiting for the sheets to dry, I designed three holiday cards. This new project has my blood flowing again!
I wanted to experiment more this past weekend, but I don't have any dry couch sheets. If discovered that it takes about 30-60 seconds to get water into cellulose, but it takes days to get it out.
As much as I want an 8-1/2 x 11 pour mold to make matching envelopes, I think I need more couch sheets first.
I'll take photos of the first 8 sheets and post them tomorrow (I hope).
The cigarette box sheets came out beautifully, so I prepped more of them to pour. I'd like to make small memory books for some friends.
Over the weekend, while I was tapping my toes waiting for the sheets to dry, I designed three holiday cards. This new project has my blood flowing again!
Thursday, July 28, 2005
Six New Sheets
July 28, 2005
After I signed off last night, I looked at the cigarette packs I smoke. They're green on the outside with black copy, and white on the inside. Since they're about a 10-point heavy paper, I figured I'd try one pack to make one sheet. I tore several up. As an afterthought I kept the silvered paper on the inside, too.
Tonight I started with the cigarette packs. I poured four sheets. One pack made a nice sheet, a pale green speckled color. I had to put the second piece back into the blender, because it didn't completely pulp. The second time I poured, it was much better. I ended up leaving the blender on for 60 seconds, and the third and fourth sheets came out nice and clean.
I moved on to a four-color direct mail piece. It was about 100-pound cover weight, and I divided it up into four sheets. I poured one, and it came out a nice gray color, with very few speckles. It must have been water-soluable ink. It left a ring around the deckle, which rinsed right off.
The last sheet for tonight was one of the Netflix preps. It made a fabulous cranberry speckled sheet. With the green sheets above, I'll have some really great Christmas cards.
I wonder...If I divide the deckle in half with a piece of cardboard, fill half with red and half with green, lift the deckle and mold out of the water and then remove the cardboard as the water drains, will I get a strong enough sheet to make a card? I'll have to try using the same amount in each half as I did with tonight's full sheets.
On for this weekend is playing with the cookie cutters to make deckled shapes.
And I have some cigarette filters soaking. I'm going to try blending them to make a sheet alone and including them in the pulp for recycled paper. I'm worried the sheets will smell like burnt tobacco. I'm hoping they will make a nice tan sheet.
After I signed off last night, I looked at the cigarette packs I smoke. They're green on the outside with black copy, and white on the inside. Since they're about a 10-point heavy paper, I figured I'd try one pack to make one sheet. I tore several up. As an afterthought I kept the silvered paper on the inside, too.
Tonight I started with the cigarette packs. I poured four sheets. One pack made a nice sheet, a pale green speckled color. I had to put the second piece back into the blender, because it didn't completely pulp. The second time I poured, it was much better. I ended up leaving the blender on for 60 seconds, and the third and fourth sheets came out nice and clean.
I moved on to a four-color direct mail piece. It was about 100-pound cover weight, and I divided it up into four sheets. I poured one, and it came out a nice gray color, with very few speckles. It must have been water-soluable ink. It left a ring around the deckle, which rinsed right off.
The last sheet for tonight was one of the Netflix preps. It made a fabulous cranberry speckled sheet. With the green sheets above, I'll have some really great Christmas cards.
I wonder...If I divide the deckle in half with a piece of cardboard, fill half with red and half with green, lift the deckle and mold out of the water and then remove the cardboard as the water drains, will I get a strong enough sheet to make a card? I'll have to try using the same amount in each half as I did with tonight's full sheets.
On for this weekend is playing with the cookie cutters to make deckled shapes.
And I have some cigarette filters soaking. I'm going to try blending them to make a sheet alone and including them in the pulp for recycled paper. I'm worried the sheets will smell like burnt tobacco. I'm hoping they will make a nice tan sheet.
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
First Pages
First Pages: July 27, 2005
Ah, well. "The Inside" isn't on, but I got a "Wiseguy" disc from Netflix.
Last night I tore up several sheets and stored them in large pill bottles, ready to go. I got set up and made my first sheet within minutes.
Sheet 1: Recycled junk mail letter, no other additives. I misread the instructions and blended for 60 seconds, not 30. The blender kicked some bits of paper up, so they didn't get pulped, and ended up as unintentional inclusions in the finished sheet. It's fairly smooth and even in thickness. It's a very light bluish gray, with speckles throughout. It's drying between couch sheets under several computer manuals. It's similar to a 60-pound text paper.
Sheet 2: Recycled junk mail letter with a 1-1/2 inch pinch of 100% Blue Denim Cotton Pulp. Per instructions, I blended the recycled paper for 30 seconds, added the pulp and blended an additional minute. When I poured it into the mold I could see right away how much thicker it was. I had to stir it around more than the first sheet to get it even. It took longer to drain, and the sheet retained more water, I'm guessing because of the cotton fiber. It's drying between couch sheets under several computer manuals. It's similar to a 65-pound cover paper.
Next steps: I have two more sheets prepped from the same junk mail piece. I also prepped a sheet from Netflix mailer sheets. It take about two to make one sheet. Since one side is flood-filled red, I'm a little worried about staining the couch sheets. I'll soak the paper a bit before putting it in the blender to see how much leaches out into the water. I'm hoping for a pale red speckled sheet. We'll see tomorrow evening.
Addendum: I made the mistake of removing the two sheets from under the book press before I went to bed; I was impatient. When I woke up this morning they were cockled. I left them under some books today, and put them back in the stacks from SixNewSheets. I won't make that mistake again.
Ah, well. "The Inside" isn't on, but I got a "Wiseguy" disc from Netflix.
Last night I tore up several sheets and stored them in large pill bottles, ready to go. I got set up and made my first sheet within minutes.
Sheet 1: Recycled junk mail letter, no other additives. I misread the instructions and blended for 60 seconds, not 30. The blender kicked some bits of paper up, so they didn't get pulped, and ended up as unintentional inclusions in the finished sheet. It's fairly smooth and even in thickness. It's a very light bluish gray, with speckles throughout. It's drying between couch sheets under several computer manuals. It's similar to a 60-pound text paper.
Sheet 2: Recycled junk mail letter with a 1-1/2 inch pinch of 100% Blue Denim Cotton Pulp. Per instructions, I blended the recycled paper for 30 seconds, added the pulp and blended an additional minute. When I poured it into the mold I could see right away how much thicker it was. I had to stir it around more than the first sheet to get it even. It took longer to drain, and the sheet retained more water, I'm guessing because of the cotton fiber. It's drying between couch sheets under several computer manuals. It's similar to a 65-pound cover paper.
Next steps: I have two more sheets prepped from the same junk mail piece. I also prepped a sheet from Netflix mailer sheets. It take about two to make one sheet. Since one side is flood-filled red, I'm a little worried about staining the couch sheets. I'll soak the paper a bit before putting it in the blender to see how much leaches out into the water. I'm hoping for a pale red speckled sheet. We'll see tomorrow evening.
Addendum: I made the mistake of removing the two sheets from under the book press before I went to bed; I was impatient. When I woke up this morning they were cockled. I left them under some books today, and put them back in the stacks from SixNewSheets. I won't make that mistake again.
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
Preparation: First Steps
Prior to July 26, 2005, I:
• Did a Google search for papermaking sites
• Found a Yahoo! group for papermaking and downloaded & read info
• Visited Artmart and bought an Arnold Grummer pour papermaking kit
• Also bought six "Specialty Pulps."
⁃ 100% White Cotton Rag Pulp
⁃ 100% Blue Denim Cotton Pulp
⁃ Gray Cotton Rag & Wool Pulp
⁃ Green Cotton Rag & Wool Pulp
⁃ Plum Cotton Rag & Wool Pulp
⁃ Scrubbed Corn Husk & Cotton Pulp
• I responded to an e-mail on the Yahoo! community about Classic Linen paper, explaining the name designated the texture, not the rag content. Also mentioned that I was a little intimidated by the site.
• I received three e-mails back, clearly encouraging and supporting me. These are the coolest people ever.
July 26, 2005:
• Read over papermaking terms again. They're confusing me, because they intersect with design and printing terms. For example, deckle. In design and printing, paper can have a deckled edge, which means one edge is ragged, generally the envelope flap. In papermaking, the deckle is the wooden frame that holds the pulp in place over the screen.
• Decided to start with simple paper recycling. This really makes me laugh, because I get so much junk mail. I will never want for raw materials.
• Found a plastic tub that will work for the deckle I have, and the next larger one that I need to make envelopes to to fit. (LOL) It was in the chest freezer, full of portions of soup.
• Sacrificed my 20-year-old Osterizer blender. I can't remember the last time I used it anyway, and I can buy a new one for food if I need it. The need to create something organic trumps cooking right now.
• Made a basic 7x9-inch template to approximate the material I need to make my first piece. I chose a piece of junk mail that actually made material for two pages. It's almost time for Big Brother 6, so I gathered all of the materials in the kitchen and sat down to make this entry. Tomorrow, the only thing on is "The Inside" at 8 p.m., so I'll be couching my first sheets then. For now, I'll close this out to watch "So You Want to be a Hilton!" Mercy, I need a hobby.
• Did a Google search for papermaking sites
• Found a Yahoo! group for papermaking and downloaded & read info
• Visited Artmart and bought an Arnold Grummer pour papermaking kit
• Also bought six "Specialty Pulps."
⁃ 100% White Cotton Rag Pulp
⁃ 100% Blue Denim Cotton Pulp
⁃ Gray Cotton Rag & Wool Pulp
⁃ Green Cotton Rag & Wool Pulp
⁃ Plum Cotton Rag & Wool Pulp
⁃ Scrubbed Corn Husk & Cotton Pulp
• I responded to an e-mail on the Yahoo! community about Classic Linen paper, explaining the name designated the texture, not the rag content. Also mentioned that I was a little intimidated by the site.
• I received three e-mails back, clearly encouraging and supporting me. These are the coolest people ever.
July 26, 2005:
• Read over papermaking terms again. They're confusing me, because they intersect with design and printing terms. For example, deckle. In design and printing, paper can have a deckled edge, which means one edge is ragged, generally the envelope flap. In papermaking, the deckle is the wooden frame that holds the pulp in place over the screen.
• Decided to start with simple paper recycling. This really makes me laugh, because I get so much junk mail. I will never want for raw materials.
• Found a plastic tub that will work for the deckle I have, and the next larger one that I need to make envelopes to to fit. (LOL) It was in the chest freezer, full of portions of soup.
• Sacrificed my 20-year-old Osterizer blender. I can't remember the last time I used it anyway, and I can buy a new one for food if I need it. The need to create something organic trumps cooking right now.
• Made a basic 7x9-inch template to approximate the material I need to make my first piece. I chose a piece of junk mail that actually made material for two pages. It's almost time for Big Brother 6, so I gathered all of the materials in the kitchen and sat down to make this entry. Tomorrow, the only thing on is "The Inside" at 8 p.m., so I'll be couching my first sheets then. For now, I'll close this out to watch "So You Want to be a Hilton!" Mercy, I need a hobby.
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