Papermaking for Educators and Home schoolers in the Classroom

If you teach you put up with other people's kids, or if you home school you are with your kids all day long. You both have an admirable amount of patience.
And if you are thinking of making handmade paper in you classroom, you have a heart that cares about recycling and our earth, and you aren't going to be bothered by a bit of a wet mess. We respect that.

We know too, that you sometimes pay for classroom items out of your own pocket. 
If you need paper making supplies for your students, we now have two classroom kits on our WoodenDeckle Etsy store that will make that easier for you. Use code: TEACHRECYCLING to get an additional 20% off.

Why Papermaking?

• It’s an activity appropriate for a wide range of ages, and for multiple kids at a time

• Our kits can be reused indefinitely.  Our mold and deckles are built to last

• A far reaching activity - it’s useful for different classes including science, ecology, art, history, nature crafting, etc.

• Can be used to create class thank you notes, labels for handmade products, or journals

• A good way to recycle past art projects, homework papers, sheet music and printer paper

Thank you for all you do

Sources of used paper for making homemade paper

Homemade paper is made by recycling used paper. Here are some great sources that will work well with our kits.

• printer paper, outdated stationary, etc

• junk mail (those pesky credit card offers)

• pages from an old piano book, sheet music (a favorite)

• brown paper bags - great for rustic looking handmade paper

• birthday/greeting cards and their envelopes

• bills (after you pay them!)

• books - pages of books you no longer use

• maps - lightly blend for especially interesting paper

• recipes - the ones you have printed out but never use (note to self!)

• wrapping paper - good quality, no plastic coating

• watercolor paper, old sketchbook paper

• high quality napkins and tissue paper - they can also add color

What not to use:

• newspaper, highly inked magazines, or construction paper

Remember this: The higher the quality of the paper you recycle, the higher the quality of your handmade paper.

Making handmade paper by recycling paper is a brilliant way to make something beautiful while doing some good.

Creativity is making

Yes. Amen.
This is what making handmade paper is all about.   

Have a great weekend!
And, happy creating, 

Elizabeth

How our customers use their handmade paper: Earring display cards by The Knotted Moss

Got boundless energy?   Got creativity?
Amanda Moss Edwards does. 

Every time I turn around (and glance at Instagram) Amanda has posted yet another picture of her gorgeous earrings, and they just happen to be on the handmade paper earring cards she makes with our quadruple mold and deckle.   Look how she sews right across the top of her display cards and attaches her shop name, and tag line.  Brilliant branding!  Such creativity.

For a steady flow of creative energy follow Amanda on Instagram at #theknottedmoss
Shop for Amanda's Back to School Sale at The Knotted Moss on Etsy.  Use code:  SKEWLDAYZ17 to receive 20% off. 

Thank you for your inspiration Amanda!

Happy creating!
Elizabeth

Wooden Deckle Featured in the Art Spectrum

Check out these enticing DIY Art Kits!  

I am thinking that freshly made handmade paper would pair very nicely with a number of these kits, especially the hand carved stamp making kit and the bookbinding kit.

Check them out.  Happy creating!

Elizabeth

We get by... with a little help from our friends

We are so thankful to be in partnership with VIP Services!  VIP employs disabled adults to do tasks for small businesses like Wooden Deckle while learning skills and interacting with their peers. It is an incredible place that offers so much support to disabled persons and their families.

Our papermaking kit boxes are folded and our inclusion bags are filled and labeled with so much care!  And we in turn are blessed to be able to support as well as donate an extra portion of our profits back to VIP.  In fact, if you would like to play a part in empowering people with disabilities in Wisconsin, you can donate here.  Or, I would encourage you to find a similar venture in your area.

Elizabeth

Stamping on Handmade Paper - Maidenhair Fern Journal

Here's my current "every day" journal where I keep track of projects that are simmering away, ideas with maybe a sketch or two, or notes jotted down from podcasts.

This journal features one of my favorite projects - stamping on handmade paper.  I hand-carved this maidenhair on a Soft-Kut printing block stamp, and used pigmented ink to stamp it onto a piece of 3x4" handmade green tea paper.  Last year I published the recipe for Green Tea Handmade Paper in honor of Earth Day. 

Happy Creating!

Elizabeth

How to: Adding sizing to handmade paper

Here's a recent question about sizing and handmade paper from one of my customers:

Elizabeth,
So I've now purchased 2 of your molds, they're perfect! I love making paper! But I do have a question- I'm a calligrapher and when I went to write on what I created, the ink bled like mad. I did add liquid starch to the pulp, I'm guessing it wasn't enough? Do you have any tips or tricks to help? Thank you so much in advance!
Best,
Nicole

Nicole,
Thank you for loving our mold and deckles!  So happy to hear that!

What are you using for pulp?  If you are recycling paper that already had sizing in it - like printer paper, stationary, or any previously "printed on" paper, the ink shouldn't bleed.  However, if you are using natural plant material for pulp, or a significant proportion of cotton linters, sizing is needed.  Liquid starch like you used is a very good option - however the amount needed depends on the type of pulp, so it takes a bit of trial and error.  It sounds like you need to use more, but sorry I can't be more precise!

Another option is to apply an external sizing - to actually paint a gelatin sizing onto the sheet of handmade paper. There are excellent directions in Helen Hiebert's The Papermaker's Companion book.   I've done this with rustic paper I make with blender flax and recycled brown grocery bags and it worked perfectly. 

Finally, you can purchase sizing for paper making, and just follow the supplier's directions.   I have used sizing from Twin Rocker Papermaking supplies that worked well. 

There you have it!  Please feel free to ask any other paper making questions you might have, or add your own tips. 

Happy papermaking!

Elizabeth

(Real) Pressed Fern on Handmade Paper

Who doesn't need a touch of green inside?

A fern pressed last summer with the Microfleur, and mounted on nicely textured 5x7" handmade paper. 

• Sealed with UV resistant coating
• On Gilbert Oxford premium card stock
• Ready to frame

If you like minimalist botanical art like this, you can make your own!
(If you aren't inclined to make you own, it is available on Wooden Deckle Etsy.)

Use code:MARCHMADNESS for 20% off of any kit or Microfleur flower press.

Recycle (Badger) Gift Wrapping Paper

It's March Madness.
(Go Badgers!!!)

Did you know that you can recycle gift wrapping paper from your favorite college team and make winning handmade paper?

20% off any paper making kit this month with code:
MARCHMADNESS

How to make pressed flower cards

DIY Pressed flower card tutorial

Back in the day when I had 3 kids under the age of 4, money was tight and I began making pressed flower cards as a way to maintain sanity and earn money to finance our first garden. This tutorial describes how I make DIY pressed flower cards on handmade paper - I've always loved how pressed flowers pop against a background of roughly textured white handmade paper. 

What you'll need:

• Pressed flowers:  You can press them in a book or standard flower press, but if you are serious and want to retain their brilliant color use a Microfleur microwave flower press. 
• Half sheet of card stock: Use the best quality you can find, folded in half for a note card
• Handmade paper:  I use our note card mold and deckle to make 3x4" pieces
• White glue: For gluing the pressed flowers to the handmade paper - I like Elmer's craft glue
• Perfect Paper Adhesive:  Used as a pressed flower sealant.  Water resistant, flexible, archival safe, and UV resistant.

1.  Press freshly picked flowers in the Microfleur or press of choice.
2.  Center and glue handmade paper to card stock.
3.  Using a tweezers to grasp, apply dots of glue to the back of the pressed flowers and foliage you've selected.  Press firmly onto card.  Allow to dry.
4.  With a small watercolor brush, apply a light coating of PPA over the entire surface of the pressed flower and foliage.  Allow to dry.

Your card is ready to send!  The handmade paper makes a sturdy background for the pressed flowers, and the thin coating of PPA offers flexible protection to allow the botanical material to handle the rigors of the U.S. mail, with UV and moisture protection. 

Happy creating!

From bad to good

Check out what artist Jane Kramer is doing - she is making handmade paper from obnoxious invasive species, and adorning it with photographic transfers of native Michigan plants.  Very brilliant, very beautiful. 

She cooks down the plant fibers herself, and then processes them in a kitchen blender - resulting in a very rustic, fibrous paper.  I love the irony of how she is able to make something very good, from something bad.

Thanks to May Babcock, for another inspiring blog article on hand papermaking.

Quadruple quick

With record setting warm temperatures in Wisconsin the past few days windows and doors were open while restocking my supply of 2x3" handmade paper for our Wooden Deckle business cards. 

I recycled some outdated medical office stationary and embellished with snippets of raffia and jute twine to add natural looking fibers. To add color, I used a bit of embroidery floss, bakers twine, and just a faint pinch of glitter.  The whole process went really fast with the quadruple mold and deckle - over 120 2x3"  sheets of recycled handmade paper business cards in less an hour and a half, including visiting with new neighbors. 

Happy creating!

Make love last...

Don't waste love...recycle those valentines into handmade paper, and make love last!
Tear them up, blend them in an ordinary kitchen blender, and make colorful pink and red handmade paper. 
And, today and tomorrow, use coupon code LOVE20 for a Valentine's Day discount.

Happy paper making!

Valentines Day means handmade paper hearts

These handmade paper hearts were made with the help of buttercut - a thin flexible adhesive backed vinyl.  Thankfully buttercut is exceptionally easy to cut (hence the name) so curvy shapes like hearts are a breeze to make.

I simply cut a piece of buttercut to fit the size of the mold, and cut a heart out of the middle.   The adhesive backing helps hold it snug on the screen.  Place the deckle on top, and make paper as normal.  Handmade paper in the shape of hearts!  

I recycled scraps of red and pink cardstock to make pulp for these hearts, recycling last years Valentine's Day cards would have worked well too.  Here's something I thought of after - it would have been a neat idea to sprinkle in "forget me not" seeds into the paper pulp, to make plantable Valentine's.  Another time!

Where to get buttercut?  I got mine here.
These Valentine's were made with the note card mold and deckle.

Happy creating!

Free Gift Wrapping

For your convenience, and in the spirit of Christmas, we'd like to help you wrap presents this year. 

We are offering free gift wrapping with the purchase of any paper making kit, and a complimentary handmade paper gift tag as well. 

Enjoy! 

Who doesn't love a Small Business Saturday sale?

Help us celebrate our small Wisconsin Business!  20% off of all of our kits.  Please use coupon code:  SMALLWISCONSINBIZ
Happy paper making!

Autumn leaf handmade paper gift tag

Here's a sweet wild geranium leaf that I pressed in the Microfleur, and then glued to a piece of 2x2" piece of handmade paper (made with the business card/gift tag mold and deckle set).  

Below you can see it placed inside a glassine envelope. These are as fun to make as they are to give!

By the way, don't waste your leaves!  You are creative and can make your own autumn creations.  Here's a coupon code to save $5.00 if you need any paper making or leaf pressing supplies from wooden deckle:  DONTWASTELEAVES

Happy Creating!

Bird's egg inspiration

Love these delicate, simple handmade paper bowls from Ann Symes of the UK.  Ann uses her grandmother's ostrich eggs as molds!  I have draped 5x7" sheets of handmade paper over small balloons with some success. Definitely something I would like to do more of...perhaps some Christmas gift possibilities?