Homemade Paper

Materials:

old picture frame
window screen
shredded office paper
pot of boiling water
onion skin, boiled and torn into small pieces
two large plastic storage bins
old blender (one you no longer use for food)
1 Tbs. baking soda
plastic craft mat
newspapers
towels

Steps:

1. Staple a scrap of window screen to the back of an old picture frame (figure A). Set aside for later.

2. Combine shredded office paper and onion skins in boiling water in a large storage bin (figure B). Cover and simmer for one to two hours or until the fibers tear apart easily.

3. Once the paper softens, transfer the liquid into an old blender (a cheap hand blender would even work here).

4. Add baking soda, then blend. This will size the paper and make the surface smoother. It's OK to have specks in the mixture--you want the paper to be unique.

5. Once blended, pour into a second bin filled with water.