PAPER MAKING

Ileana Celestine Soon Yin Ying 024029 Properties of Artistic Materials Professor Steven Saitzyk

Discussion
Experiences with Papermaking
The process of making paper it seems, was harder than expected. It took about an hour of experimenting before it was possible to create a piece of paper decent enough to let dry. This was mainly due to the fact that the motion of using the deckle and mold to scoop up the pulp took awhile to adjust to. Additionally, the act of separating the pulp away from the mesh and frame without destroying it was by far the hardest and longest course of action to master.

Problems and Solutions

The papermaking process conjured the following problems. The pulp could not be removed without its decimation after an hour long of attempts it became apparent that the solution to this problem was to press out as much moisture as possible from the pulp to increase the ease of paper and surface separation. No availability of sponges, felts or annel fabrics due to monetary restrictions, such items could not be attained for this project. As a solution, household objects judged to perform in the same manner as the said material were used as replacements. A towel was used in place of a sponge, while shop towels (multi purpose paper towel like sheets that mechanics use) were used in place of felt. The use of these materials did not seem to negatively affect the papermaking process. No availability of a blender or mortar and pestle to create the pulp The solution to this problem it seems, was time. Since the purpose of these tools was to beat the papermaking material to a pulp, it seems that this condition could also be achieved if the paper materials (to be made into pulp) were soaked for a longer time. Thus, in light of this shredded letter paper and toilet paper were soaked in a container lled with water for more than 24 hours. During this period of time, the container was shaken every few hours or so to break the material apart. Overall the process seems to have worked.

Learned Lessons
During this process, after much trial and error, the importance of being delicate in separating the pulp appeared to be absolutely paramount. Every piece was very slowly pulled out in order to stay in tact as one piece. The use of a binder was also not employed during this process, perhaps becoming a contributing factor to the fragility of the papers current condition. Also, the surface texture of my papers adopted the texture of the shop tools to which I placed them on a clear indication to carefully plan the surface of the felt (or substitute) material should the paper maker have specic intentions for their papers texture.