Paper making in spring

An old art is coming back to life: Papermaking. This technique involves making something new out of old paper. In this instruction we show you different ideas that you can implement at home.

Paper making - the process:

1. Cut waste paper and pulp sheets into small pieces.

2. Place the shreds in a suitable container such as a bucket, bowl or larger tub and cover with warm water. Allow to soak for about 1 hour.

3. Grind the mixture with a blender. Add cotton cellulose and stir everything with a spoon.

4. Fill a large tub with water so that the frame is completely covered with water (about 10 to 15 cm high). The paper scoop frame should fit into this and should also be able to be swivelled a little.

5. pour the crushed mass into the large tub. For coloured paper, add a few drops of VBS colour concentrate and stir everything well.

6. Place the two-part frame on top of each other and stand it upright on the bottom of the tub.

7. Now slowly lift the frame to scoop out the paper mass. Let the excess water drip off. The net of the scoop frame allows the water to drip off and the paper fibres remain on top. Important: Keep the frame horizontal and as straight as possible so that the paper mass is evenly distributed.

8. Remove the upper frame. Turn the frame with the net over so that the paper mass lies on the couching felt. The felt plate removes the remaining moisture. Carefully detach the frame from the paper mass.

The rest of the process is explained under the corresponding idea.

Seed bombs to give away

For this idea, you only work up to step 3.

Now pour some of the mixture into a small bucket and add a few drops of VBS colour concentrate.

Place cookie cutters on a protected work surface and add some flower seed to the cutters. With your hand, get the paper pulp out of the water, squeeze it lightly and put some of it into the cookie cutters. Press the mixture firmly into the mould several times. You can also use some kitchen paper to suck the water out of the paper mixture.

Carefully remove the cutter and leave the seed bombs to dry for 2-3 days. Finally, the seed bombs can be wrapped as a small gift with kraft paper, sisal cords and stamps.

Stationery with relief

For this idea, add some chalk powder to the paper mixture at step 4. Stir vigorously with a spoon.

Use different cookie cutters to press firmly onto a foam rubber plate and then cut out the motifs. Place the foam rubber shapes on the still wet paper mass. Place the second felt plate on top of the mass and roll lightly over it with a rolling pin. Remove the top felt and let the paper dry for several days, depending on its thickness

Remove the foam rubber moulds and carefully detach the paper from the rubber felt. If you wish, you can sprinkle flower seeds into the still damp moulds and press them down lightly. If some areas are still a little damp, allow the paper to dry further.

To decorate, cut a wide strip from the watercolour paper and fold it into a band. You can decorate the paper with stamps and markers.

Easter pendants

Make paper once from long fibres and once from fine fibres.

For the long-fibre paper, add eucalyptus cellulose instead of cotton cellulose to the mashed mixture. Add VBS colour concentrate. In our example we mixed the colour berry with red.

Proceed as described above for both versions.

Once both papers are finished, you can stamp the white paper and stick a tied bow on it. Glue the paper to the pink coloured paper with craft glue. Attach a ribbon to the back for hanging.

Paper bowl with branches

Work through steps 1-3.

Pour the paper mixture into a sieve and press it down. You can now add fine twigs to the mixture. Allow everything to dry thoroughly.

After several days of drying, you can take the finished bowl out of the sieve. If desired, the edges of the bowl can be accentuated with coloured accents. Craft colours diluted with water are suitable for this.