Paper Making With Molds http://www.amaco.com/amaco-lesson-plans/lesson-9-creating-cast-paper-sculpture/

The creation of paper was first developed in China around 150 B The creation of paper was first developed in China around 150 B.C with a simple process of macerating vegetable fibers, floating them in water, collecting the pulp on a screen, and letting it dry to form a surface suitable for writing with a brush or printing. The art of papermaking — choices of fibers, methods of production, and resulting papers — was studied intensely, and the craft traveled to Japan and then west along the trade routes to the Mediterranean and on to Europe and the New World. New fibers were constantly being tested, and in Egypt, cotton (mostly in the form of new cloth or rags), was added to list of usable fibers. Cotton fibers produced papers that were perfect for existing writing tools like quill pens and styluses…papers that were crisp and opaque. As time passed and the demand for paper grew, fine, handmade cotton paper was replaced by paper made by machines from whole trees. A limited number of hand mills still exist today to create the custom papers needed by artists, and many contemporary artists have chosen to produce two- and three-dimensional images from paper pulp. Some of these artists incorporate found objects, glitter, color and a variety of materials into their creations.

Traditional Paper-making is one of the four great inventions of China. Xuan paper, or rice paper, is one of "the four study treasures" (writing brush, ink stick, ink slab, paper) and has an outstanding history of more than 1500 years.

This new tissue paper making machine has wide adoptablity for mass production now in China.

Paper casting will allow you to create a textured surface on your paper with molded paper forms. You can use holiday cookie or candy molds and big stamps to help you make these unique designs.

Your Task: You will use premade molds to experience the art of papermaking. You will create a ‘mold’ to practice paper casting simply, safely, and economically. Paper Making Vocabulary: Cast — in sculpture, to duplicate an original design by means of a mold. Mold — a shape in which a fluid substance is given form Deckle —   frames made of wood or by using butcher trays. You need two frames of the same size - one with wire stretched across the opening, the other to use on top of it. Pulp — a general a term for the substance that paper is made from; beaten  Relief — carving, molding, modeling, or stamping in which the design projects from the background surface. Sculpture — a work of art that is meant to be viewed from more than one side; a work of art that is three-dimensional.  Additives for paper — embroidery or colored thread, dried ginko leaves, dried iris or gladiola leaves that have been boiled until they disintegrate, colored scrap paper from a print shop, construction paper, sesame seeds, dried rose petals, dried chrysanthemum petals

PAPER CASTING (EMBOSSING) You will be using the flat pieces of styrofoam from meat trays. We will lightly spraythe table surface and the styrofoam form with cooking spray or baby oil to act as a release agent.

You will first blott the paper, through the screen, pressing hard enough to see the form underneath:

After removing the screen, you will use a towel to absorb more of the water. You will cover the paper with a towel and several layers of newspaper before weighting it down.