Paper Making

This week in science we have been learning about renewable and non-renewable resources and recycling. We decided to have a go at recycling some of our old drawings into new paper. Luckily I had picked up a paper making kit in a yard sale a while back. Just in case you are wondering about the eye make-up we were still being Egyptians today.

First step was to rip up lots of paper and soak it overnight in water. Then we blended small amounts at a time in the kitchen blender (food and art preparation overlaps a lot in this house!). Water and slushy paper got splatted pretty much everywhere.

A disgusting paper pulp.

We took the next stage outside. First we put some pulp and more water in a large container. Then we assembled the mould, net and deckle on top of each other.

Assembling the paper making frame

Next we lowered the frame into the pulp mixture and caught up some pulp on the top. We let some of the water drain back into the tub.

Lowering the frame into the pulp

Letting water drain out

Lifting out some paper

Letting it drain

The next job was to remove the deckle, lift up the paper on the net, and turn it onto a drying board.

Removing the deckle

We tried putting some leaves and shells on some of the drying boards to give out paper some texture.

Adding leaves to make an imprint

Placing the paper and net onto the drying board.

Next we used a sponge over the net to soak up the excess water and then we removed the net.

Soaking up excess water

L's first piece of paper ready to dry.

We left the boards and paper to dry in the sun. Then it was a simple matter of flexing the boards to loosen the paper and peeling it off.

Here are the results:

Finished papers some textured, some plain

A sheet of paper with leaf imprints

I'm not sure what we are going to do with the paper yet, but I'll think of something.