| Making a Paper Screen |
From "DIY Crafts"
episode DIC-101 |
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Mary Lyon, host of DIY Crafts, explains how to make a screen frame to be used for paper making. Then she tries her hand at making a sheet of paper. Screen Frame
Materials:
Wood picture frame or narrow wood strips
Window screen
Staple gun
Wood glue
If using a wood picture frame, measure a piece of window screen a little larger than the opening of the frame and attach it to the back of the frame with a staple gun. If you're using wood strips, glue them together in a rectangle with wood glue. When the glue is dry, staple a piece of window screen to the back (figure A).
Paper
Materials:
Blender (one that you won't use for food processing -- try yard sales for a used one)
Water
Cotton-pulp paper
Paper stabilizer
Paper sizing
Sponge
Papermaking screen
Large plastic tub
Paper towels
Felt
Optional: flower petals for color
- Tear pieces of cotton-pulp paper, and place them in a blender with water and a pinch of paper stabilizer. Blend for about 1 minute. The pulp should have a mushy consistency. If it doesn't, blend a little longer.
- Use the same method as for cast paper to create pulp in the blender. Using a mixture of 90 percent water and 10 percent pulp, fill a large plastic container or tub. Add paper sizing to the water according to package directions. Stir the mixture with your hands for 5 to 10 minutes. Sprinkle in a few flower petals to add color, if desired.
- Stir the water just before you begin this step. The particles should be floating in the water, not settled to the bottom. Dip the frame, screen side down, into the tub from the back; in one motion, bring it down so it is completely under water, then gently lift it from the water in a scooping fashion. The pulp will be caught in the screen and stay within the frame sides. Let the excess water strain through (figure B).
- Place a piece of felt over the top of the paper pulp in the screen, and press down to squeeze out excess water. Don't rub your hand over the felt; this could shift the pulp on the screen (figure C).
- Without removing the felt, flip the screen over onto a stack of paper towels. Press a sponge along the screen to soak up the water. Squeeze the water out of the sponge, and continue sponging along the screen (figure D).
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