6. Pressed Flower Handmade Paper
Papermaking is a deeply satisfying, tactile craft that allows you to recycle old scrap paper, newspaper, and junk mail into beautiful, textured sheets of artisanal paper. By embedding dried botanical elements and pressed flowers into the wet pulp, you can create unique, earthy sheets that are perfect for writing letters, journaling, or creating custom greeting cards.
To make your own paper, tear scrap paper into small pieces and blend them with warm water in a kitchen blender to create a smooth, watery pulp. Pour this mixture into a large plastic tub filled with water. Submerge a papermaking mold and deckle (a simple wooden frame with a fine wire screen) into the tub, lift it flat to catch the pulp fibers, and let the excess water drain away. Before the pulp dries, gently press dried lavender, fern leaves, or colorful flower petals onto the wet surface. Transfer the wet sheet onto a felt square, press out the remaining moisture with a sponge, and let it dry completely in the sun. The resulting paper has a gorgeous deckled edge and a rustic, organic texture.