Paper making
Hi !
I am Abel, a Little Prince from Aubervilliers, in France.
I will guide you, step by step,
to make your own paper.
You’ll see, it’s very simple!
First, here is the list of equipment you need:
- a sieve *
- a salad bowl and a wooden spoon
- a kettle or saucepan (to heat the water)
- a mixer or a soup stick
- a large tub or a large basin
- a clean sponge
- a hair dryer
- a fabric and clothespins
- and of course advertising paper recovered from letterboxes!
Ready ?
Let’s go !
* You can craft your sieve using 2 photo frames and 1 piece of mosquito net.
Staple the mosquito net to one of the frames, pulling it tight. This will be your frame-sieve.
The 2nd will be your frame-template.
First step: prepare the paper pulp
Collect all the advertising paper that invades your post box, those of your neighbours, your friends...
And tear it into small pieces!
Like that !
Put your little pieces of torn paper in a bowl, boil some water and pour it over it.
Be careful, it’s hot !
Let the paper soak for about 20 minutes.
Attention ! It's hot !
Blend the paper into a paste and mix it in a large tub of lukewarm water.
Take your sieve by placing the frame-template on the frame-sieve.
Mix well...
Second step: make the sheet of paper
Gently dip your sieve into the basin and, like a gold digger, collect the paste on it.
Raise it slowly, keeping it horizontal.
Take the time to thoroughly mop up the water under the sieve.
Place a fabric on the table. Then place your sieve and remove the frame-template.
Fold the fabric over to wrap the frame-sieve and turn it over, holding it firmly at the corners of the frame.
You can open the fabric envelope...
Your future sheet of paper is now on the fabric. Sponge the sieve again: remove as much water as possible. Now, with the help of a hair dryer, you will take off your sheet from the frame-sieve frame.
Take your time and gradually lift the frame from top to bottom.
You can use a spatula to hold the sheet against the fabric.
Here is your sheet!
To dry it, close the fabric like an envelope. Be careful not to crease.
You can pass a roller to evacuate more water, but do not press too hard, it could tear the paper.
Let it dry overnight, then cut your sheet into a square format...
Your paper is ready to turn into a Flying Fish!
It’s up to you to fold
your origami!
