Yesterday I had some fun with hand made paper. This is one of those experiments I love to do.  I bought a new 6x4 mold and deckle to make paper the exact size for my tea bag paintings. Very little trimming. 

I’ve been thinking about using the shreds of paper as they are for paper. Usually I shred and then blend the shreds into a smooth pulp with a blender, for making paper. I add dye, sometimes flower heads, and metal leaf scraps to the pulp.

This time I used the whole shreds. I really like the paper but it is unstable in just a water bath. I made 8 pieces, but was only able to save two. I pressed them when dry in my paper press, then I mounted a tea bag to one side and a plain white paper to the other side. The one on the right has a tea bag. The left is right out of the press.  I like the look of these, the random pieces of words and the occasional color shreds. 

I ordered some glue to add to the water bath. I want to see if it will hold the shreds together more successfully. 

More on this experiment to come from this country painter….