their colours.  This is noticeable if leaves or petals are added to the pulp as they leave coloured halos in the paper around them.  A good way to use up old pot pourri  is to add it to the pulp and stir in well.  It is amazing how strong the scent can be.  Dried lavender is good for adding scent to paper.  If the smell is not as strong as you would wish spray the paper when dry or slightly damp with essential oil.  Experiment with dried citrus fruit peel, wood shavings, grass cuttings; in fact anything that takes your fancy.

Emboss the paper by adding items at the couching stage so that the shape is pressed into the paper.  Using different types of couching cloth can give different patterns on the paper from smooth to heavily textured.  These objects can be removed or left in depending on the effect wanted.

Make reinforced paper by couching 1 sheet, laying a layer of net or scrim on it and then couching a second sheet on top of this middle layer.  A mixture of colours could be used to obtain 2- sided paper.

Three dimensional objects can be made.  While the paper is wet and still on the couching cloth mould it round a bowl, plate or whatever and leave to dry in position after removing the cloth.  This has a lot of potential for experimental work and is almost another subject on its own.

Paper pulp can also be used to mould shapes and pictures.  It can be manipulated by hand almost like papier maché. Colour it with paints or dyes.  This is a good way of using up the left over pulp at the end.  This left over pulp can also be dried and stored for use at another time.  Or it can be frozen.  Whatever don't put it away damp or it will grow mould!  This also applies to the paper.  Make sure it is perfectly dry before you put it away or it will develop mould spots especially if you have used plant materials in it.

Note: a mould is a frame of wood with fine net or mesh stretched tightly over it. a deckle is a frame the same size as the mould which fits over it on top of the net to contain the paper pulp. Using a deckle makes thicker paper and the edges are smooth rather than irregular. The first sheets of paper are always thicker than the last lot! If the first sheet is too thick for your needs then kiss it off and start again and add more water to the bath to thin it down.

© Valeri Bennett 1999