Embedded In Pulp - Arnold Grummer Papermaking

The blender came out again to work on some papermaking ideas.  After making a couple batches of paper pulp for more experimenting, I created two interesting "organic" sheets.

The first was made by placing a number of skeleton leaves onto the papermaking screen. This is layered on top of the white support grid that is sitting on a pan with a lip to catch the water from pressing.   After they were in position I took small clumps of the pulp and placed it over each of the leaves.  NOTE: The weight of the pulp helps hold the leaves in place.  Continue to cover the entire leaf pattern with pulp, going beyond the edges of the pattern.  Place enough pulp to cover but not too thick.  Experiment with the thickness and placement of the pulp.  Place the mesh cover screen on top of the pulp and begin removing water with sponges.  Remove as much of the water as possible and flip the screen over, pressing again with sponges or rags to remove more water.  Remove the papermaking screen and cover with a couch sheet and press and process just as you would when making any sheet of paper.  Cover with a dry couch sheet, weight the piece with heavy books till dry.

This piece looks great on its own just placed in a simple frame or it would also make a lovely background for a photo.

Wanting to try the process again, I chose a length of yarn from a recent crochet project.  I first wet the yarn with thinned white glue.  I placed the yarn randomly onto the papermaking screen then repeated the same process for embedding the yarn in pulp.  Looking at various things that I could work into making more interesting organic looking sheets.

Visit the Arnold Grummer website for information, ideas and supplies.

Arnold Grummer's Papermaking - Embedded Background Paper

Playing around once again with paper pulp to create an interesting paper that can be used as a background for a photo or special verse.

A pile of leftover white card stock scraps from another project, were used to make the pulp for the paper.  Because the scraps were from a heavier paper, I used fringe scissors that cut  paper into thin shreds then soaked them in water before placing them into a blender to make pulp.  The pulp, along with some water, was then placed into a squeeze bottle. NOTE: The blended pulp, along with water, can be poured into a bowl and a baster can be used to squeeze the pulp onto the screen.  To form the sheet of paper, use the large dip handmold and place it on a large cookie sheet with a lip.  Squeeze the paper pulp onto the screen - keep layering the pulp onto the screen, covering the entire surface.  NOTE: I didn't worry too much about it being a bit thicker in places. For a background paper I wanted some uneven areas. 

Remove the top wooden deckle frame from the pulp.  Place the gray screen over the pulp and press with sponges to remove some of the water. Before pressing out more of the water, place dried leaves onto the surface in any desired pattern.  NOTE: Use a single layer of leaves (the small fern pieces had to be removed because they would not stay in place). Replace the gray screen or use another paper making screen and press again to embed the leaves into the paper and also removing more water from the sheet.  NOTE: If no extra blue paper making screen is available, use a sheet of waxed paper or parchment paper under the gray screening to press.  Continue to process the sheet of paper just like any other sheet.  Instead of ironing the sheet to dry, place the sheet between layers of cotton fabric and couching sheets and weight it with heavy books till dry.  NOTE:  Check  after several hours and change fabric and sheets if needed to help the drying process.

Use the finished sheet as a background in a floating clip frame for a special photo or stamped or handwritten verse.

For supplies and information go to the Arnold Grummer website.  Use this coupon code for your order this month: OWL20