I make my own paper and use it in many different crafts listed on this website. Papermaking starts by collecting local and imported fibers which are cooked and beaten into pulp. Abaca, flax, gampi, kozo and mitsumata are the common fibers to which ground leaves, lichens, pressed flowers, feathers, seaweed, thread and gold leaf are added for texture. The pulp is placed into a vat of water, a screen is dipped into the pulp (or "stuff", as it is called) and lifted. When the water drains away a layer of felted pulp fibers remains on the screen--this is your sheet of paper. The resulting very thin papers are called "rice papers".

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