How to make your own paper # 2

Now that you have your ugly, grey slushy pulp (see the previous post here  Making paper # 1 ), it's time to make the paper!

For this next step, you will need:
the pulp you made
your frame and deckle
a flat surface you can get wet
a fairly deep plastic container/tub
a sponge
 cotton diapers or felt pieces, cut to the size of your frame
two pieces of flat water resistant wood (like mdf) a bit bigger that your frame
heavy objects for weights

After you have blended your soaked paper, you should squeeze out some of the water, and get rid of the water you used to blend it by pouring it in your garden or throwing it out.  DO NOT POUR IT DOWN YOUR DRAIN! It will clog everything up.

At this point, you can use the pulp as a base for paper mache', something called paper clay, or making paper. TO make paper:

Grab your frame and deckle.
A frame and deckle
Now you need to find a tub or something that your frame can fit in. You need to be able to lift the frame all the way out without tilting it at all. The tub should be fairly deep,too.

You will also need a flat surface bigger than your paper, and it will be getting wet, so don't use your good furniture for this! I use an old plastic card table I got from a goodwill store. I put a cheap plastic tablecloth over it.

Place one of your scrap wood pieces on the table. Now, you can use newspaper to make a  pile of newspaper on top of the wood. Use about 5 sheets or so. Then, top the newspaper with either a piece of felt, a new cloth diaper, or any smooth cotton cloth you happen to have that is cut to the size of your frame. Place your container of water right next to this wood/paper/cotton sandwich.

Paper pulp

Fill you container with fresh water, and add a very little bit of your squeezed pulp. Stir it around. You will keep adding small bits of pulp and stirring until the water looks opaque when stirred.
Now, place your deckle on top of your frame, and quickly dip them into the water while holding them together. Lift them up from the water, holding them flat. Allow the water to drain back into the tub.

Carefully removing the deckle so you don.t disturb the edges. flip the frame over onto your "sandwich: and lift up. You should have a fairly even layer of pulp! That is paper! Now, use your sponge to gently press through the frame's screen to the pulp below. Don't drag the sponge, just press and lift, squeeze it out and do it again. Now, hold on to your cloth, and carefully lift one of the corners of your frame.The paper should start to stick to your cloth. Lift slowly.

If you don't succeed, just scrap the pulp back into the tub, rinse the frame in the tub, and try again!
If you succeed, place another cloth on top of your sheet of paper, stir your water, and make another sheet!After a bit your paper will start to look thin, so add more pulp or stop the process.
You can make as many or as few sheets as you like. Place the other piece of wood on top of your last piece of cloth. Now, use your weights to press the whole pile down. Leave it overnight to dry.

SEE YOU LATER!