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Loading...Recycling thru Crafting: Handmade Paper
- Terri Hall
- January 14, 2010
- 11:04 am
- 144 comments
Handwritten letters on beautiful stationery are one of my favorite things. And stationery stores are one of my favorite places to get lost for a few hours. The array of colors, textures, and designs of paper can be intoxicatingly beautiful.
The need to contribute a handmade gift to a Kwanzaa celebration many years ago, introduced me to the art of making paper. Not only is making your own stationery a great way to recycle all sorts of paper, but you end up with a functional piece of art that you yourself can use or you can bundle as a personal gift for a friend. My first batch of homemade paper came out slightly thick (a bit closer to cardboard than I intended.) But practice makes perfect. This is a great activity to do with kids, either indoors on a snow day or as a low-key way to spend a few hours outdoors on a sunny day. There is some prep necessary, though. So, read the directions below carefully, and give yourself a day or two to get ready for this craft.
Materials needed:
1. Plenty of old paper (Used copy paper makes the best pulp. Shiny paper can be used as a decorative accent.)
2. Two 5×7 inch picture frames (Frames need to have flat edges. If you don’t want to use picture frames, you could use wood instead.)
3. A plastic or fiberglass screen
4. Dishpan(s)
5. A blender
6. A staple gun (or tacks)
7. A sponge
8. Decorative items (dried flowers or herbs, spices, thread, dryer lint, potpourri, etc.)
9. Stacks of newspaper, for drying sheets of paper
10. Disposable dish towels
Read more: Children, Crafts & Design, Crafts & Hobbies, Family, Green Gifts, Holidays & Gifts, Reduce, Recycle & Reuse, activities, art, crafts, Family Life, gifts, kids, paper, recycling
Terri Hall
Terri Hall lives in the Hudson Valley with her family. In addition to writing, Terri works with public television and radio stations/networks in the area of new media, and leads workshops on authentic and empowered living.
Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may
not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.
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Thank you. I shared it...
Great videos !! .. thank you for some happy tears :))))
so glad I sleep well
good to know.
Thanks for the article..played in dirt (gardening) when I was growing up and still do.
144 comments
+ add your ownWow, great idea! I will definitely be trying this one sometime!
ya..gud way...and we should try to recycle the plastics also
Thanks for the info.
People are becoming more and more aware and this is the reason that now there is more demand of recycled goods. Even the gift can be the best alternative.
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i will try this and see what happens. If i will transform all those into a piece of paper i will take it the next day to my workplace ( i work at a shredding document fort lauderdale company ) and try to shred it. hi hi
Interesting! Good idea to use picture frames as an alternative to having to build them!
its also very important to know handmade paper is very good for earth .that means its recycle and again use it.i.e eco friendly.source http://www.ehandmadepaper.com
Thanks so much. My grandkids are gnna love making paper. Thanks again.
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I love making handmade paper. There are so many options! You can use plant fibers as well, and use berries for natural dye.
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