This past week Colfax local artist Laurel Mathe taught a workshop in her studio on how to make paper from scratch. The students each completed a few test sheets of paper and a 4-sided paper lantern to take home.
Students learning how to pull paper sheets.
Laurel walked us through the process from start to finish. She showed the group how to create a slurry of paper pulp, add decorative elements, pull the pulp through a fine mesh screen, blot and pre-dry the wet sheet, and the lengthy process of drying (helped along by the wood-burning stove in her studio). We then sealed the dry sheets with beeswax to create translucent panels for the paper lanterns. Below is a photo montage showing the process from start to finish.
Laurel showing how to get the right pulp consistency.
Releasing the wet sheet from the frame.
An assortment of pressed flowers and leaves for embellishment.
Students designing their lantern panels.
Laying out the design on wet pulp.
Sealing the dry paper panel with wax.
Completed lanterns.
Completed lantern!
I’m so grateful to Laurel for sharing this process and her studio with us. We hope to offer more workshops like this in our new space on Church Street in Colfax.