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• printer paper, outdated stationary, etc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.