Trash-to-Treasure Papermaking

by Arnold Grummer

Transform junk mail, newspapers, and old phone books into beautiful handmade paper in just minutes! With a simple technique that requires only a blender and some water, Trash-to-Treasure Papermaking shows you how to create unique sheets in a variety of shapes, colors, textures, and sizes. Learn how to incorporate your handmade paper into diverse projects that include invitations, bound books, paper bowls, and ornaments. Let your creativity shine as you explore the fun and simple art of papermaking. 

Genres: Nonfiction, Crafts, Art, Reference

207 pages, Paperback

First published March 23, 2011

Reviews

[Child960801 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous and informative with clear directions and pictures to explain what is going on. Lots of good project ideas. I really liked it.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent introduction to handmade paper making. It briefly mentions dipping technique but then focuses exclusively on pouring. Very well illustrated with clear examples of several decorative techniques. I withheld one star though because the last section of the book devolves into ”things you can make with your paper”, which, though colourful and creative is not really limited to handmade paper, and would work just as well with any source of paper. The resources section is also limited to US options which in the time of the Internet seems unnecessarily limiting.
Excellent library find, but not sure I’d buy it.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before reading this book I had never thought about making my own paper. Paper making paper by hand does not seem that hard. I did not do the projects but, the project were my favorite part of the book. One of my favorite projects was the seed paper. I hope to do the projects sometime in the future.

[Daniel Hardy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was full of a lot of useful information about making recycled paper. It was also Very repetitive and could have been able 1/3 shorter without losing any content.

[Camille McCarthy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really useful guide for easy papermaking by recycling your own paper at home using simple household appliances. The book was full of ideas and had good instructions, although I didn't actually try any of the demos. This book would be useful for kids or as a starter for adults and I learned a lot about paper from it, so it is a good resource for learning basics on paper. Also in reading this book I saw how difficult it is to make paper by hand and how much we take paper for granted in our everyday lives. It also showed how much easier it is to make paper from waste paper rather than virgin materials, as most of the additives are already included, such as the colors and the sizing, and it is much easier to break paper into pulp than it is to break a tree into pulp. I know that reading this book has given me a new found respect for paper products and made me use them in a more conscientious way.

[Karishma · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gives good directions on how to recycle any paper into beautiful handmade paper. I thought the author pushed his own products (or at least his designs) a wee bit much, but he did give clear enough instructions that you don't need to buy them to make paper.

I also didn't really care for the way the book was organized - whe I went to try my very first attempt, I felt like I was constantly turning pages going backward and forward between sections to figure out my next step. A slightly different organization might have significantly mitigated that problem

Still, I read the book yesterday, and was making paper today, so that's worth 4 stars!

[Lori Sacks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm thoroughly enchanted by the possibilities this book has opened to me.
I've always loved homemade paper and am not just a tree hugger but more of a root hugger, so this topic really speaks to me.

The directions are well written. Creative suggestions are abundant. Most importantly this book is about making something from almost nothing and not a pitch to come buy supplies from the author.

I read many eco-craft books and most of them have directions for creating stuff that's of no real value and not particularly attractive. This book is in a class of its own when it comes to creating beauty from trash.

This is one I'll need to have on my bookshelf for future reference I think.

[Inky Frog · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is written very clearly and simply. Its definitely geared toward beginners and/or younger people. I found the tin-can method to be a bit silly, because it only makes small round pieces of paper! Therefore the author had to include equally useless projects for the small pieces of paper. Sorry for the harsh review, but this book was just not what I was expecting. On the flip-side, he did give a nice, concise history of paper-making and kudos for recycling!

[Autumn · Rating 5 out of 5]

So accessible and fun. I LOVE craft books that teach you a million techniques that you can use for your own purposes. And crafts that can't fail. And recycled crafts. Grummer is obviously a passionate expert on papermaking and he is happy to share all his secrets. The only bummer is that his cool pour mold is backordered all over the place. But he shows you how to make it!

[Arlian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably one of the best books on homemade paper making available. Thoroughly researched, with an interesting smattering of history, Arnold Grummer explains everything from the crudest method of making paper (the coffee can method) to home building a hydraulic-jack-press. Absolutely amazing.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

cool, but not the type of thing I'm going to do any time soon. I don't own a blender for one thing.

[BCPL Youth Services Librarian]

Click to see book in BCPL's online catalog

[Kelly Knapp · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great way to connect with teens and friends. The ideas in this book are not only simple, but many are useful, also.