Plant fibers

[Former_Member]

I'm just curious who makes paper with plant fibers, like using your roses, maple leaves, grass, etc. I'm not talking sprinkling a few flower petals for decoration even if it is super pretty. I'm talking getting down to the nitty gritty of paper making. I keep telling myself I want to make plant paper but haven't tried yet.

[atelier28]

I've made paper from:
asparagus peelings
banana skins
grass
apple
leek
strawberry (not so great)
rhubarb (easiest to start with)
kiwi (not so good)
aloe vera (not good)
yucca (excellent)
tomato plant
various Japanese fibres incl abaca
sea weed (stinks...but good effect)
some of my papers can be seen here: http://andreacook.exto.org/kunstwerken/3210_paper+art.html

[KelseyPike]

I've made paper from traditional papermaking plants.
hemp, flax, wheat straw, kozo, gampi. All beautiful papers.
Get yourself some soda ash and get cooking!

[Former_Member]

Where do you get soda ash? seriously. I've just used paper and occasionally bits of other stuff but blender water has served me well so far...though I've thought about trying other stuff too. :)

[atelier28]

I've bought supplies here: http://www.magnoliapaper.com/frame.htm

[Former_Member]

Now there's a thought. hm...thanks!

[KelseyPike]

I buy from
http://www.carriagehousepaper.com/
or
http://www.twinrocker.com/
You can also cook with lime, lye, and wood ash.
Any mild caustic.

I hope it's going well!

[akuadesigns]

I make paper from plants. I have two Lander beaters to help me process the materials. I use washing soda from the supermarket for soda ash and lye from
the hardware store. My favorites include cattail, milkweed, iris, yucca and cornhusks. I've reported on my experiences at http://www.artfarm.com/papier.html

[Former_Member]

Soda ash can be bought as a swimming pool supply - at the end of summer sometimes you can get a good deal.

I make paper from plants using a blender - hosta, mulberry, gill-over-the-ground, joe pye weed so far, and I have lots more retting and waiting their turn - kale stems, daylily leaves, nettles, pokeweed.....

[CanemahStudios]

I make paper using bullrush (scirpus), banana stalks and leaves, cordyline,
new zealand flax ( phormium tenax), hosta, miscanthus (an ornamental grass),
yucca, and false red agave plus others. I like to try new plants and I only use
plants gleaned from my garden or local nursery prunings. It's the ultimate upcycling : D