Papermaking with Garden Plants & Common Weeds - by Helen Hiebert (Paperback)

About the Book

Handmade paper has a unique texture and an individual quality that makes it not only a surface to write or print on, but also an object of beauty. With a small investment in equipment (or the supplies to make it from scratch), a small harvest of backyard weeds or garden plants, and the guidance of papermaking expert Helen Hiebert, anyone can make exquisite papers right in the home kitchen.
Hiebert's basic papermaking techniques, laid out in illustrated step-by-step instructions, make it easy to blend and shape a variety of organic papers from such common plants as hosta, milkweed, and thistledown, as well as the more unusual pineapple, yucca, and seaweed. She describes how to collect, harvest, and process the plant fibers and then create sheets using both Western and Japanese techniques.
Inspired by the community of papermaking artists she is a part of, Hiebert features profiles of papermakers from around the world, highlighting their individual tips and techniques. She also includes project instructions for using handmade paper to create one-of-a-kind cards and envelopes, multi-paneled lampshades, and accordion-fold books. There are also instructions for embellishing techniques such as adding flower petals, creating collages, and dyeing with richly colored walnut shells.
From plant to finished paper, the simple completeness and beauty of Papermaking with Garden Plants & Common Weeds will appeal to craftspeople, gardeners, environmentalists, teachers, and anyone who enjoys creating from nature.

Book Synopsis

Make exquisite papers right in your own kitchen. With a few pieces of basic equipment and a small harvest of backyard weeds, you can easily create stunningly original handcrafted papers. Helen Heibert's illustrated step-by-step instructions show you how easy it is to blend and shape a variety of organic fibers into professional stationery, specialty books, and personalized gifts. You'll soon be creatively integrating plant stalks, bark, flower petals, pine needles, and more to add unique colors and textures to your paper creations.

From the Back Cover

Beautiful Paper, Grown Right in Your Backyard
Almost any common plant--from hosta to milkweed, cornhusks, and pineapple leaves--can be transformed into an elegant sheet of decorative paper. The possibilities for creating your own unique, eco-friendly papers with plant fibers are endless once you master the basic techniques. In Papermaking with Garden Plants & Common Weeds, expert papermaker Helen Hiebert shows you how to:

• Collect and harvest plant fibers from stalks, bark, leaves, and grasses
• Process the fiber and press, dry, and finish your paper
• Embellish your sheets with natural dyes and decorative materials such as flower petals and pine needles
• Craft unique projects including vegetable papyrus, multi-paper collages, envelopes, lampshades, and specialty books

Discover the excitement and joy of making one-of-a-kind papers directly from nature!