I have finished my paper-making for the time being. I managed to do several sessions, rescued the drying paper from storms on a few occasions and generally totally enjoyed myself, playing down below, slowly shaking, squeezing, drying. I found a beautiful rhythm and a gentle, quiet practice.
I was thrilled at how well the clove oil kept the pulp as it soaked for nearly three weeks - only right at the end did I think it was going a bit off.
Barry helped out by making me two new moulds/deckles - just had to have a couple more squares - and I continued my happy infatuation with the look and feel of the hand made paper.
So here is what I ended up with, all the photos were taken in the shadow/shade out the back:
A box filled with mini-squares, squares and triangles.
Some lovely larger squares - 12cm and 15cm.
With lovely soft edges
I experimented a bit with using some brown paper peace cranes and seeing if I could embed them in the paper as I made it. Mixed success, but there might be potential for some peace flags later in the year?
The different stacks sitting on one of our log cubes in the gravel.
I was thrilled at how well the clove oil kept the pulp as it soaked for nearly three weeks - only right at the end did I think it was going a bit off.
Barry helped out by making me two new moulds/deckles - just had to have a couple more squares - and I continued my happy infatuation with the look and feel of the hand made paper.
So here is what I ended up with, all the photos were taken in the shadow/shade out the back:
A box filled with mini-squares, squares and triangles.
Some lovely larger squares - 12cm and 15cm.
With lovely soft edges
I experimented a bit with using some brown paper peace cranes and seeing if I could embed them in the paper as I made it. Mixed success, but there might be potential for some peace flags later in the year?
The different stacks sitting on one of our log cubes in the gravel.
So I am back to collecting off cuts and scraps of my lovely printmaking, calligraphy and bookmaking papers and saving them up for another session. I am wondering if Autumn might become the season of paper-making as the weather has been so gorgeous - still warm days and not much rain.
It was good to re-use the good paper, not waste it, and create something new from it.
I am in total awe.
ReplyDeleteThanks J - it's not actually a difficult thing to do; just takes time, is a bit messy and you have to have a bit of space around you. But I love the results! You almost want to reach thru the screen and touch them don't you?
Deletei've fallen in paperlove. i want to touch it sooo bad!!! haha!! i'm totally so smitten. i can hardly stand it! your paper is amazing. would you sell it? i'd love to try this again sometime, i did it once, when i was 19, some long time ago now! i have a good blender... but not much space. you are such an inspiration F. xo
ReplyDeleteHi louise - thanks! I love that 'paperlove'. I think we all go there sometime don't we? Sounds totally unfair that the paper is here and you are there and you can't reach thru the computer screen and hold it! I have an old but strong blender and it's not too tricky; but space is a thing for sure. Maybe just make little ones like I did!
DeleteFiona,
ReplyDeleteyour paper looks gorgeous!
Thanks so much Tammie Lee - it is gorgeous to look at isn't it? And to touch!
DeleteI am full of paperlust .......
ReplyDeleteWonderful Susan - now I have paperlove and paperlust! It has worked well and stashes always look so good...
ReplyDeleteHi Fiona. Stupidly, I forgot to follow the blogs of everyone who's doing Lesley's print exchange but am up to speed now. It's great to see what you've been doing. Exciting! Jane
ReplyDeleteWelcome along for an often rambling ride Jane! I am looking forward to seeing all the prints - it has been a delight to play along.
Deletefiona, they look great. for your embedding, you might try using small bits of pulp to "encase" the thing. you could also try this, a little methyl cellulose under the shape and then the bits of pulp that "stitch" the substrate to the object.
ReplyDeleteOh wow - thanks V a tip like that from an expert could make all the difference! I just kind of plonked them there and hoped - clearly there are better ways! Thanks for letting me know, I have methyl cellulose here so could definitely give it a try.
DeleteHaven't had the paper vat out for a loooooong time Fiona but these picture make me itch to get the blender going.... and, having had some of those beautiful wee triangles head my way I can see why everyone has developed 'paperlove'.
ReplyDeleteThanks Lesley - me neither, but I just got the itch to, and am so pleased I did.
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