Papermaking Books

As did some of the other reviewers, I checked this book out of the library first, and soon decided I wanted to have my own copy for reference. It's a shame this book is out of print and appears to be the author's only book.
There are many collage books out there, and this is one of the best. The writing is clear and concise, and the photos are wonderful. I've experimented some with handmade paper and collage, and this book inspires me to explore further.

Particularly interesting is her section on surface design by embossing. She shows how to lay the wet paper over found objects, or onto a intricate raised design created by a glue gun, or onto a shape cut from illustration board. I can't wait to try this.

In the Projects section, handmade paper shapes and the wrapping paper collage also look fascinating. This latter collage is formed on freezer paper so that it can be removed when dried, complete with irregular, free form edges.

Her chapter on collecting and organizing materials are also quite useful, and provide all of us with justification (if we need it) to collect and hoard a rich selection of materials.

The author somehow manages to provide enough guidance for the beginner to learn the techniques and get started with the projects provided, at the same time encouraging creativity and moving on to independent work.

I just bought this book on Amazon after checking it out from the library. It is excellent and I know I'll find it very useful. I thought the title could perhaps turn some folks off (as it nearly did for me,) since it leads with "The Art of Handmade Paper" and adds "and collage." I do a lot of art work and making paper is something I probably won't add to the list but collage is something I do in one form or another all the time. If I wanted to make paper, I would certainly find those instructions very useful. However, the bulk of the book is using those papers in collage - and this is the part I am finding particularly useful. There are a number of ideas that I hadn't thought of - and since handmade paper is readily available for sale, that part is easy enough to take care of. Actually, I have been working with painted and dyed paper towels, and realized that the texture of my paper towel sheets is almost identical to the handmade paper sheets in the book. A million great ideas for using my "altered" paper towels immediately came into my mind as I read through the book. I am very pleased to have found it and look forward to having my copy arrive in the mail so I don't have to give it back to the library.

As an artist myself, i have always been fascinated with the wide range of possibilities that come from making your own paper. When I picked up the book i already knew the basics, and had been making paper by hand for quite some time. I really liked the way she included many ways to push the papermaking process a step further (ie. watercolor dyeing, embossing etc.) to actually transform the paper into something more "artistic". The projects outlined in the book i saw as really great STARTING points for my own work. I felt that many of her final projects had a Martha Stewart quality that didn't really appeal to me. My suggestion? Make your own templates for the projects instead of using hers in the back of the book. Your final product will be much more rewarding if it's your own creation.

I saw the ads for this book in Somerset Studio (coincidently this book is very like their style of photos and intructions), and had to have it the day it was released! The Photos are glorious and illustrate the authors points well. You will love this book if you are a begginer or have been pack-ratting and collaging for years!

This is the best collage book I have ever read. I love the look of collage, but have always had a hard time getting started. The beautiful artwork and advice here have helped me to create many masterpieces.

The author starts out by taking you step by step though the papermaking process. Materials used include mostly common household items and scraps. Making a mold & deckle is also demonstrated.

Next, many interesting surface techniques are covered including wet/dry embossing, glue-gun embossing, coffee overdyeing, watercolor dyeing, & crayon resist. The collage section has tips on collecting, sorting, arrangement, & materials.

I loved the many unique projects that followed including making envelopes, greeting cards, fabric motifs, paper sculptures & kaleidoscope collages. There are also some templates and a great list of suppliers in the back

I am really apreciative about my purchase. Happy new year to you and
good luck. Thank you.

I always wanted to make paper. However, the idea of making paper out of paper, seems idiotic to me. Then I found this book. It's everything I ever wanted. I recommend it for anyone. I would also make a great gift.

This book guids you through the magical world of plants and paper...Using it is an excellent way to learn papermaking,loving it and understanding plants and their formation. It is an excellent guide for those who love paper and its art.CONGRADULATIONS !

This is a must have book for anyone who wants to make paper from plants. It is packed with information not found elsewhere. The full-color illustrations & step-by-step instructions guide you seamlessly through the papermaking process.

The author starts out by explaining the many kinds of plant fibers and how to find, harvest and store them. All equipment needed is detailed next. Processing the fiber including cooking, beating, and retting is then covered.

Using dyes & additives as well as making your own is also discussed. Both Japanese and western sheet formation are then covered. Instructions are included for making your own paper press, mold & deckle and high-tech drying box.

Many recipes including mulberry, rose-of-sharon, & seaweed follow. Several projects including vegetable papyrus & shaped envelopes are next. A chart with many fibers listed by type can be used to make additional paper types.

As a beginner papermaker interested in working with plant fibers, this book fulfills most of my papermaking needs: clear, concise instructions and illustrations; some good basic recipes; and great ideas to get the creative juices flowing. All this in a beautiful book that is also an interesting read.

The book was excellent. It gave me information about a topic that is hard to find.

A one-stop resource for the history and technique of this ancient craft. Want to know when the first paper mill was established in your state or Country and what was used for raw material? Look it up in the detailed chronology. A must have book for any paper aficionado!

"Dard Hunter is still recognized as the world's foremost authority on paper and papermaking. This is the classic work on papermaking, used as a text and reference in classrooms, museums and libraries." More historical than how-to, you'll find just about every aspect of papermaking covered in this book. Over 320 illustrations show actual pages from rare books and scrolls from every corner of the world, scenes of past and present-day papermaking, tools, materials, and watermarks. A two-page map illustrates the text to trace the 1000-year journey of papermaking from China to Europe, and a chronology of paper and paper related developments over 4500 years.

Everything you've ever wanted to know about papermaking and more. This book has a lot of detailed information about the history and techniques of papermaking all over the world, but is so detailed it can be very tiresome. Definitely reads more as a textbook than light reading.

And this book with show you the way!!!!

Easy to follow instructions with items you have around the house. Successful papermaking from the very first try!

This is one of the best books for a beginner. The steps shown are very easy to follow.The cost for materials is minimum. I was able to make some very nice homemade paper with just the things I had in my home.The book is well worth the money. Happy papermaking.

It is a simple book, but very usefull. As I work with homeless people the book shows us conditions to make paper without money; the material is very easy to find and the way-to-do is very well explained. I liked very much the model of envelope printed in the book and that we can copy in a fotocopy machine. Congratulations for the author.

Excellent, information packed, a good reference as well as how-to book, belongs in every collection, lots of images of artists' work. I return to it for moldmaking for casting paper.

This book has saved us many times when we've been searching high and low for the information we need. Good technical ( but not boring ! ) descriptions of processes, materials, techniques. This is an essential book for all papermakers and paper artists.

Book defines clearly how to make paper and what constitutes quality ingredients in doing so. Author has excellent summaries of each step for producing original handmade paper. Also, the book provides ideas/recipes for adding your own artistic signature to each sheet of paper.

I knew nothing about papermaking, but after reading this book I felt inspired to make my own handmade paper. Perhaps the most thing I like is that I won't need any special devices to make wonderful handmade paper sheets, everything is available within a reach. This book is full of inspiring projects and photographs, it tells us how to recycle paper and how to make paper from.. vegetables! I never thought this is possible.

I really like this book.

I'm making flowers from silk cocoons and there remains tiny bits of trashes. I want to make silk papers from these cocoon trashes, searched the net and found this book. Wow, it's really interesting. This project widen the meaning of "paper." The method is like making felt with silk fiber.

I tried traditional way to make Japanese paper "Washi" with certain results. However Kath Russon's method is easier and more beautiful.

Also contains interesting projects such as making 3D objects and silk leaves. This method is applicable to other fibers such as cotton wool, jute and flax.

This is an inspiring and informative book which gives clear step by step instructions on making silk paper. On reading the book we discover the beauties of silk paper. The layout and photography of the book itself make it a beautiful book to own. The text is lucid and, at times, humerous and the reader really gets to know the personality of the author, Kath Russon whose work and business inspired the writing of this book. The book tells you everything you need to know to make your own silk paper and the final chapter provides ideas and inspirations of how to use the paper you have created. It deals with an unuaual but fascinating medium. This book makes an ideal Christmas gift. I can imagine that silk paper making will become the popular hobby of the new millennium.

I loved this book! I am a calligrapher and amateur bookmaker, and found this to be a valuable addition to my library. The pictures and text instructions are clear, and the projects were interesting and fun. Projects included cards, gift boxes, and mobiles, as well as some more advanced craft techniques. The author focuses on easy-to-obtain equipment and materials, making this a good choice for beginners like me. I also found it a good volume for sparking my brain when my creativity flagged.

I had a summer design class and since the class was so condensed, we designed and constructed projects on a daily basis. For my final project, I had to construct a book. I only had 2 days to do it and since I knew I wanted to make my own papers, I needed some direction. I used this wonderful book and not only did it have very clear directions with concise illustrations, the supplies needed were on a very practical level. That means I didn't have to purchase extra supplies I probably would never use again. My book turned out so beautiful, I got an A+! I now make papers as a hobby and I owe it all to this great book.

This book is a real gold mine of information. It shows how to make paper from plants then how to transform it, mold it, decorate it, make vessels with it. The instructions by experienced papermakers are very clear, to the point, easy to follow. There are ample black and white photos to illustrate instructions plus a portfolio section in the middle with color photos. Each section starts with an artist's statement then proceeds to describe the process.
A truly inspiring book!

17 artists shows their tools, methods and works. The author tells, "The book has been designed to work for you as a workshop and as an inspiration. The goal was to show different approaches taken by many artists, not to give one definitive view." All the instructions are proofed by the author.

The presentation styles are different from artist to artist. Some artists show the detailed process with photos. There are a lot of tips and ideas in this book. I'm interested in the method to apply handmade paper to basket and molding. Even paper making beginner like me can apply some methods. I'll try to put my handmade paper to a basket.

Unfortunately most of photos are black and white though includes some color photo section.

If you are not satisfied just to make paper, this book is for you.

I really like the simple visual approach to this book on papermaking. Iy is nice to begin with making your own mold and deckle for paper sheets you create; in case you may not want to buy them. It gives lists of materials required for each project, and instructions with each photo as you proceed through your steps to completion of your paper. Instructions for using recycled writing/printer paper, as well as cotton linters. Paper casting is another project in the book, utilizing both pre-made molds, or your own found objects to mold from. This is a must-have for our bookshelf. Can't wait to try some of these projects with my kids (10-19)!

This book is thorough, maybe a bit basic for some, but one I would classify as an intermediate papermaking book. It comes in strong as my second (if not tied for first) favorite papermaking book in my library. The images and guidelines are clear, thorough and appropriate for each step. Coverage of the many variations of hand made paper end products is excellent. Review "Search Inside this Book" for the table of contents in order to gain a sense for what is covered in this book. Some techniques covered are normally not found in a book of this level - water marks, batik, dry paper coloration etc. - and I found this refreshing. The way the author describes each process takes the mystery out and leaves you understanding the ease of the process. On the back cover the book provides this statement - "Discover the pleasure of making your own handmade paper!" And I sure did - for it is fun and wonderful to see what you can do with many products on hand in order to make very unique handmade paper.