Easy Paper Making via Arnold Grummer's Kits

Paper artists and paper crafters, have you thought about making your own paper to use in projects? What a satisfying thing to do, especially when you add in the benefit of recycling waste paper to create something that's useful and unique. I recently heard from Kim Grummer, who wrote to introduce herself as the owner of Arnold Grummer's Paper Making Kits & Supplies.


Arnold Grummer’s PAPERMILL™ COMPLETE KIT box

Kim's father, Arnold Grummer, developed a simple method of making paper when he was Curator of the Dard Hunter Paper Museum while on faculty at the Institute of Paper Chemistry in Appleton, Wisconsin during the 60s and 70s. The museum and work of the Institute has been relocated to the campus of Georgia Tech, but Arnold Grummer's business carries on in Wisconsin, selling essential paper making supplies and kits for art and science educators, as well as folks at home. Kim's dad was an advocate of recycling long before it was popular since 'waste paper is not waste fiber,' as he was often heard to say.

handmade paper containing flower petals made into a stitched butterfly sachet

As a way to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, tomorrow - April 22, and the newly updated Arnold Grummer website, the company will be sending a Papermill Complete Paper and Envelope Kit to one lucky commenter on this post, and a second kit via All Things Paper on Instagram! Read on for Kim's thoughts on recycling, take a moment to enter the giveaway, and come back tomorrow, as she will be sharing an Earth Day-themed paper making tutorial.

Arnold Grummer's Complete Papermill Kit contents
 

EARTH DAY 2020
RECYCLE! MAKE PAPER!

Tomorrow is Earth Day! Some of us remember the very first Earth Day fifty years ago and the founders’ passionate message to pay attention to the planet. Reduce – Reuse – Recycle is one of many mantras that reminds us to live responsibly as consumers and households.

Crafters, artists, engineers and architects continue to contribute inventive ways to reuse everything from soda can pop-tops to industrial salvage. Maybe you have a talent for repurposing cast-offs with flair!
handmade paper has been used to make two greeting cards

For upcyclers, recyclers and remakers, there’s no paper craft like paper making. It’s a creative and guilt-free way to use stashes of cardstock, printed pattern papers, and that box or closet full of paper waiting for a ‘special’ project. Even leftovers, snippets or scraps can be recycled into something new and usable.

little book with a soft leather cover and handmade petal paper signatures

Is it your understanding that paper making is a difficult, messy, outdoor-only activity? Then you probably haven’t discovered Arnold Grummer’s simple, counter-top way to make paper using a ‘pour’ handmold. Arnold makes the process easy, successful, and filled with possibilities. The only limit is your paper stash or wastepaper bin and your imagination!

handmade book with signatures made from one sheet of recycled paper with petals

There are two ways to make paper: pouring and dipping. The ‘pour’ method involves pouring a small amount of pulp into a handmold with high sides set in 3” of water. The ‘dip’ method uses a shallow handmold that’s dipped into a vat filled with 3” of pulp to form a sheet. Learn more about the two methods.

recycled handmade paper mixed media collage
Mixed Media Collage by Tai Hardie

Every demo and class offered by Arnold Grummer used his signature Papermill Kit with a pour handmold. He got a kick out of showing how to make one sheet yellow with a pulp painting on top, and then a bright red sheet with swirling clouds of white and blue fibers. Each sheet is different than the one before it. Everyone who makes paper with a pour handmold gets a kick out of that!

earthy papers made with spent zinnias (bottom paper) and a deserted bird's nest

But whichever method you choose, you can expect success from the very first sheet with supplies from Arnold Grummer's. Everything that bears his name has been classroom tested and proven successful for over 40 years as the go-to brand for paper making in art education at home, school or in the studio.

petal paper used to make two greeting cards

These photos show just a few projects made from recycled waste paper to give a glimpse of what’s possible for you to do with paper making this Earth Day or any day. Looking for an intergenerational activity with the grandkids or a family night project? Children at any age can be part of the process. By age 8 many children learn the steps and make paper on their own. Families report it can be hard to get the kids to stop!

three recycled paper flowers in a paper vase
Image courtesy of Storey Publishing

And now an INTERNATIONAL GIVEAWAY!

arnoldgrummer.com will be sending an Arnold Grummer's Papermill Complete Kit to one lucky winner worldwide.

Arnold Grummer's Complete Paper Making Kit contents

If you are on Instagram, a separate giveaway for the Papermill Pro Kit is underway via All Things Paper. Enter both places to double your chances.

To enter on this blog post:

1. Post a comment below and

2. Visit Arnold Grummer's and sign up for the newsletter. The sign-up box is located at the bottom of the home page.

The winner will be chosen from blog entries via a random number generator on Sunday, April 26 and will be announced at the bottom of this post and notified, provided a visible email address is included within the comment.

You are not required to include your email address within your comment. However, if you choose not to, you must check back to see if you are the winner. You will have until May 10 to claim your prize by emailing ann.b.martin at gmail dot com.

Arnold Grummer's PRO Paper Making Kit contents

Follow Arnold Grummer's on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

The company is offering an additional 10% off the #300 Papermill Complete and #500 Papermill PRO kits to All Things Paper readers. Use code ATP10 at checkout.

Congratulations to J. Stacey, giveaway winner!

 This post is sponsored by arnoldgrummer.com

Ann Martin
Ann Martin

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Comments

  1. I had done papermaking with my students years ago at my old school but my materials were left behind when I changed schools. I just watched 2 of the videos with Arnold Grummers, and now I really want to try papermaking again! I never thought about adding colored pulp to create patterns on top of another sheet. And, that envelope deckle (I think) is so cool (and could very well tempt me to purchase a kit if I'm not one of the lucky winners). Even the "paintings" with the pulp look like something I'd like to tackle. Thanks so much for highlighting this product and reminding me of how fun papermaking can be!

    msgould_ams at hotmail dot com

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  2. A wonderful way to spend time during lockdown, and well beyond. I love the look of handmade papers.
    miafarrago at gmail dot com

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  3. Have thought often of making my own paper as backgrounds for my quilling/paper artistry. This looks like an awesome starter kit! Thanks for putting this togethe.

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  4. This truly seems to be something that would be fun to try and unique as a backing to other items. Thankyou for highlighting this lorena58 at Bell dot net

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  5. I would love to have this kit and try making paper. Thank you. schwabmom@gmail.com

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  6. I did paper making years ago and loved it! Unfortunately I got involved in too many other things and it got left behind, would love to start again, and I am now enrolled in an online book making group and these papers would be great to use in my books. Thanks for the chance.....annagrammo at gmail dot com.

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  7. Would LOVE to win a papermaking kit! I always see all of the beautiful designs that are made with paper and i am excited to try!
    Thank you.
    Celia catbunipeg2@myfairpoint.net

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  8. this is something I have always wanted to do but never had all of the supplies needed.

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  9. Oh this would be great! would love to have a paper making kit! tyriii at yahoo dot com

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  10. All my quilling and 3D oritechture offcuts and scraps are coming to mind. I have everything saved and this is the best way to reuse such expensive paper. So cool!

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  11. I just got a parchment craft kit and I think the handmade paper would look beautiful with it and my quilling! Such a neat giveaway! L_stacey at msn dot com

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  12. My intention (for too many years) has always been to make paper from the large quantity of bits, samples and pages I've saved. Having one of these lovely kits would be a great way to get started! cymbid at telus dot net

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  13. My daughter would adore this kit. I've heard you can use iris leaves in handmade paper - we have a lot of iris in the garden, so even more to use up! guestfam@verizon.net

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  14. Always wanted to try paper making but we don’t have good kits available here. One of the best craft to do when you are staying at home

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  15. It's rewarding to use paper you have made in your pieces. Looking forward to incorporating it into bookmaking.

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  16. Love Arnold Grummer's kits and products...would love to have the papermaking kit. Thanks for the opportunity! kathartley at nycap dot rr dot com

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  17. I'd love to try this. I'm one of those who thought paper making was difficult and messy. I think this would be a fantastic way to have custom papers on hand.

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  18. So much fun. I had a kit and made paper with my daughter when she was young. It would be fun to do it again. Abigailkarth at gmail dot com

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  19. I started paper making years ago and instantly fell in love with it! I did a lot of hand made paper projects with my students....like cards, pulp painting landscapes, hand made books and paper lanterns. Now that I am retired, I can't wait to get back to it!





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  20. I have just started my papermaking journey but I am already hooked!

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  21. I am so excited to reconnect with the Arnold Grummer method and materials. I have his book but would love the kit. I did not realize that they were still in business on the web. Thanks for the information.

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