From the page: The newspaper still has plenty of stories to tell
Idea 2
Recycled handmade paper
Paper made by hand follows the same principle invented in ancient China: plant fibers broken down in water, collected on a screen and dried into a thin sheet. Newspaper is rich in already-short cellulose fibers, so it pulps very easily — and each new sheet comes out unique, with its own texture and color.
What you need
- Newspaper sheets torn into pieces
- Hot water
- A blender (preferably one dedicated to crafts)
- A fine screen (window mesh or nylon sieve) attached to a frame or wire
- A large basin
- Towels or felt
- A rolling pin or wooden spoon
How to make it
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1
Tear the newspaper into small pieces and soak them in hot water for a few hours or overnight — the water softens the fibers and makes the next step much easier.
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2
Blend the mixture with plenty of water until it becomes a homogeneous pulp; it is these loose fibers that will interlock and form the new sheet.
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3
Pour the pulp into the basin and dip the screen in from below, pulling it up horizontally to collect an even layer — the more pulp, the thicker the paper.
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4
Let it drain for a few seconds and flip the screen onto a towel, pressing with a sponge or rolling pin to remove excess water and release the paper.
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5
Cover with another towel and press with a weight or run the rolling pin over it to compact the fibers, then let it air-dry for a day.
Finishing touches
Mix dried petals, herb seeds or coffee grounds into the pulp for a decorated paper, perfect for cards and packaging. Thicker paper becomes coasters; the thinner kind takes writing and stamping well.
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