I just want to reiterate that my videos are not meant to be a tutorial. Simply a behind the scenes of how I create my products. I have not included every single step in this process and maybe one day I’ll feel more comfortable sharing my papermaking skills with you, but I’m not there yet.
In this video, it was my first time cooking Kozo and using Neri (the gooey slippery substance that’s a secret ingredient to making Kozo paper) so I really had expected to go all wrong but to my surprise, it went really well and I even learned so much from just this one process. Using Neri was so strange. I was honestly so fascinated by how it was able to separate and suspend the fibers in water as Kozo likes to clump together without it. But I really had no idea of how much to use. So in the first half of this video, I made paper in the usual way (western technique) dipped the mould only once. Towards the end of the session, I accidentally poured in way too much Neri. The vat was too full to add any more water, so I decided to wing it and to my surprise, the fibers were even more suspended. As I scooped, I could see it was only picking up such a thin thin layer of pulp. So I decided to try some thin sheets by scooping into the vat multiple times. From watching Japanese papermakers, I know they usually shake out excess slurry but I really couldn’t get that part right so I just let it drain through the mould. It did take time, a lot of time this way but truthfully I loved the results even more. I noticed that the sheets formed with this method were much more even and the edges were so much neater and cleaner. The deckle even lifted from the mould so much more easily than with the western method. I was left with so many theories to try out next time. I really want to create more thin like tissue paper or even thicker sheets all using the eastern papermaking methods. Just have to practice that shake-off!
Do not worry I am not harming any trees in the process, Kozo is the inner bark harvested from a plant.
Here is a detailed article explaining more.
handpapermaking.net/newsletter...
Because I know will get many comments about how I should be using recycled paper (which I occasionally do ) I have linked a few articles on papermaking fibers for you. All the fibers I use are plant-based. What I want you to understand is that I am aiming to make high-quality papers, and that is why I like to experiment with good quality fibers too. They make better quality paper than what you get with recycled papers. I also don’t collect as many recycled scraps as fast as I would like. I also rarely film but if you're curious follow me on Instagram to see more of the things I don't post here.
handpapermaking.net/newsletter...
handpapermaking.net/newsletter...
If you want to learn more about Kozo papermaking, I highly recommend Share Studio’s tutorial. It has been a great helping tool.
www.sharestudios.me/shop/begi...
S O C I A L S :
My Shop: link.softlystudio.ae/SHOP
Instagram: link.softlystudio.ae/INSTA
A U D I O :
musicbed.com
link.softlystudio.ae/MUSIC
MB01Q76U7ZWUQLW
F A Q :
- Camera: Sony a7R III
- Video Editing Software: Adobe Premiere Pro
- Photo Software: Adobe Lightroom + Photoshop
- Papers for my journals: Lot’s of places
- Cats Breed: Scottish Folds
- Supplies I use: Please check individual video descriptions as I link them there.
* For making journals: find the bookbinding video/ studio vlogs.
* For journaling: search the journal with me videos or my haul videos
- Penpals: I am no longer accepting any penpals
D I S C L A I M E R :
Not sponsored. All products have been purchased by me.