New Year - New Studio

After remodeling the kitchen last summer; sorting, purging, packing, and painting the entire kitchen and 2nd floor; reorganizing two attic storage spaces; installing 2 skylights on the second floor; refinishing the stairs; setting up a guest bedroom; and reorganizing the contents of three studios into one ... the new dry studio is FINALLY a reality.

And what a difference it makes working in a dry, warm environment in the winter. And what a winter we have had here in Edwardsville!! I am beginning to think we have returned to living in Upstate New York again. The wet papermaking studio is still in the basement and will be remodeled and reorganized when (or if) the snowy weather ever breaks. At least the first and second floors are now bright and welcoming.



Kitchen Remodel 2010



With almost everything in the studio in place, the Cornwall "Tin Mines and China Clay" series of handmade paper constructions continues. The only good thing about a frozen world outside the studio window, is that the garden does not yet beckon me to come out and play.  The same can not be said for my little dog, Dommino.

Flax in the Critter

Put a load of Type R flax from Carriage House in my critter (hollander beater) at 1:15pm to beat until 7:15.  A critter, handbuilt by Mark Lander in Loburn, New Zealand, is a hollander beater used for processing fiber into pulp for papermaking. Half of the flax was beaten in a vintage Lee McDonald beater at SIUE on Friday. We will compare notes on the flax on Monday.  It feels so good to have the opportunity to have my hands back in a vat of pulp again.  For me, the process of papermaking has always been a cathartic experience that cleanses and pacifies my soul.

Papermaking with Children

If you are interested in making paper with your children over the summer, follow the link to one of my lessons on papermaking with kids at Incredibleart.org. You will need very few supplies, most of which you probably already own. http://www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/lessons/middle/elizabeth-paper.htm