Abaca: The Incredible Shrinking Translucent Material: 2-day workshop

In this workshop, we will explore how to embed string, wire and other stiff yet flexible materials between sheets of handmade abaca paper. When dry, the sheets can be manipulated into forms ranging from lamps and lanterns to sculptural objects. We will experiment with glue, thread, wire and other fasteners to create unique dimensional pieces.

Papermaking Menagerie: 2 or 3-day workshop

In this workshop, participants will learn basic sheet-forming using Western techniques, along with various ways to press and dry papers. We’ll also explore methods for making art during the papermaking process by collaging, embedding, pulp painting, adding inclusions and watermarking.

Introduction to Watermarking: 1 or 2-day workshop

We will create a variety of unique watermarks using wire, tape, Sure Stamp and puffy paint. These watermarks will be attached to papermaking moulds and used to make a selection of papers containing images that appear when held up to the light. We will experiment with a variety of pulps which are suitable for watermarking, and we’ll also explore layering sheets of paper to make watermarked images visible without backlighting.

Papermaking with Plants: 2 or 3 day workshop

In this workshop, we’ll process plant materials such as kozo, wheat straw, corn husks, onion skins, cooking and beating the plant fibers and preparing an assortment of paper pulps. We’ll use eastern and western sheetforming techniques; we’ll explore papermaking techniques such as making shaped papers and embedding items between sheets; and we’ll explore ways to dry paper, including restraint and air drying methods.