The Process of Making Lokta Paper

The origin of lokta paper dates back a minimum of 800 years ago. Lokta paper is made from the bark of Daphne shrubs in Nepal. Daphne shrubs grow at high altitudes ranging from 6500 to 9500 feet. The Daphne Papyracea variety (also known as the Indian Paper Plant, Indian paper tree, or Nepali paper plant) is typically used for making lokta paper, but Daphne Cannabina can also be utilized for this purpose. The shrubs boast a regenerative quality, as after the bark has been harvested from the plant, it is able to regrow to maturity in approximately four to six years. This ability grants the Nepalese paper producers the ability to enjoy a sustainable resource rather than regular paper manufacturers that use traditional paper pulp from trees. Many impoverished Nepalese citizens are considered fortunate to find work crafting this paper, for they reside in an area that is sparse in employment and resources.

Not only is lokta paper made from a renewable resource, but the quality is also exceptional. The Nepalese have made claims that lotka paper can survive for 1,000 years if properly cared for. Lotka paper is known for its exceptional strength and impermeability to insects. Lokta paper features a pleasant but durable texture that is perfect for wrapping and preserving scented items such as spices and incense.. Lokta paper is currently very popular for those seeking quality handmade paper products such as wrapping paper, stationary, drawing tablets, and many other paper items. Lokta paper is often a favorite with artisans, as its unique texture and striations provide a distinct look and feel not found in factory-produced papers. It also is a great paper to use for dyeing. Lokta paper offers engaged couples an opportunity for uncommon wedding invitations. Instead of receiving identically reproduced invitations devoid of character, the couple's guests can enjoy an invitation that feels more personalized and special.

Nepalese lokta producers travel from their villages to the mountains to find the evergreen Daphne shrubs. Daphne Papyracea shrubs are found in the lofty Himalayas from Pakistan to Nepal. At their tallest, Daphne will reach a height of 10-15 feet, with saplings measuring around five or six feet. Daphne is known to have very strong, sweet-scented to 1-inch four-petaled white flowers. The trunk of the Daphne shrub measures about two or three inches in diameter.

The process of making lokta paper is similar to that of traditional methods of hand paper crafting. Daphne becomes ready to harvest in October. Harvesters cut the bark at the base of the plant in a manner close to harvesting sugar cane. Once the bark has been harvested, it is pounded and boiled. After boiling, it is rinsed and beaten again, cut into small pieces and boiled for a second time. Once this is complete, the pulp is mashed with some water and made into a fine paste. Just like traditional hand papermaking, the resultant mixture is poured into a frame and immersed in water. The pulp is dispersed evenly throughout the frame to ensure a smooth page. When a satisfactory cast is acquired, the frame is laid in the sun to dry. When dry, the paper is peeled from the frame. After the paper is complete, it may be run through a press to ensure a consistent quality to the thickness of each page. This process illustrates yet another way in which lokta paper making is sustainable, as the producers do not use any electricity during the process.

Lokta paper is a favorite of those who seek quality, sustainable handmade products that don't harm the environment. By harvesting the Daphne shrubs, the crop is actually strengthened. If left to grow naturally, the plant would be inclined to dry up without producing any new growth. Another way in which the lokta paper making process is eco-friendly, is that they are not bleached and treated with harmful chemicals such as chlorine like traditional paper generally is. The lokta papermaking business is an integral part of the Nepalese economy, yet it does not disrupt its fragile forest ecosystem. Those who purchase lokta paper can feel confident that they are not only supporting the economy of Nepal, but its delicate environment as well.

Sylvia Smelcer is the owner of Hinky Imports and Singing Bowl Shop, and enjoys writing articles about Buddhism.

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Amazing Craft For Making Paper Sculpture

Inexpensive items like paper can be used to make amazing paper sculptures that are unbelievably fine. There are many such paper crafts that make it possible. One of them is Quilling which, although, is a centuries old craft but somehow got extinct. However, this art of paper quilling has again become popular, thanks to the creativity of the people of our times.

What is Quilling?

Quilling is the art of combining narrow strips of paper into beautiful arrangements. It is the art of rolling, shaping, gluing and decorating strips of paper. It is also known as paper filigree or paper quilling. The important fact is that it can be done with very simple tools.

Tools Needed for Quilling

Some basic tools needed for quilling are paper, glue, tweezers and scissors.

Stripes of Paper: Quilling papers can be found at any arts and crafts store or you can cut your own at the initial stages from scrap paper just to make your hands habitual with quilling! The ready made quilling paper comes in narrow i.e. 1/16 inch, standard i.e. 1/8 inch, wide i.e. ¼ inch and extra wide i.e. ½ inch. The length of these strips range from 17 to 25 inches. You can find a variety of colors including metallic, two toned and graduated tones. However, ideal paper is the one that rolls easily and smoothly, and holds its shape well when released.

Glue: The glue should be white craft glue that dries clear. A small glue bottle with a nozzle makes it easy to apply the glue exactly where you want. While working, keep the bottle upside down in a small jar with a scrap of wet paper towel in the bottom.

Tweezers: Eyebrow tweezers work well to hold paper strips. However, you can even get tweezers with narrow point, as fine as possible, without any ridged surface that could crumple the paper. They can be found at any good crafts store.

Sharp Scissors: required for trimming ends of strips, fringing flowers etc.

A Flat Surface: to work on, preferably plastic or something similar.

 

You can even get a quilling tool which is a long needle with a slot in the end. This needle is set into a handle. The paper is inserted in the slot, pulled to its end, and the tool is rotated in the hand while the other hand gently guides the paper until all is wound around the needle. The paper is slipped off the tool, either before or after adding a dab of glue to the end. Many shapes thus created are then combined to form a design. Afterwards, as you are comfortable with the art, you can use a needle tool. The larger the handle on the tool, the less strain and stress on the hand.

How to do quilling?

In the beginning, you can start making some of the simple designs. A V-shape design involves folding the strip of paper in half and rolling the ends of the outside of the paper around the quill. You have to roll the paper away from the inner crease. Feelers involve rolling only part of the strip of paper. You leave the rest of the strip straight. You can make this design by folding the strip in half or by using an in-folded strip. Coiling the paper loosely or very tightly around the quill will make a peacock eye. A petal can be made in the same way by bending the pinched part to one side. Follow the paper quilling instructions to make fabulous paper sculptures!

For more information about paper sculpture making tools like scissors, paper, glue, tweezers etc.

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Ideas for Using Various Kinds of Paper For Scrapbooking and Card Making

Scrapbooking Paper

There are many types of paper to use in your scrapbooking and craft projects including vellum, cardstock, labels, and transparencies. Here is a quick bit about understanding these types of paper and ideas of how to use them. When you are buying paper, remember to make sure it is acid and lignin free to protect your pictures against deterioration.

Vellum Scrapbooking Paper

Vellum paper is translucent, meaning light can pass through it, although things cannot be seen clearly through vellum paper.

Vellum paper is categorized by weight. The samller ther number, the light the weight of the paper, and subsequently, the more transparent, or see-through, the paper is. For example 17# is more transparent than 29#. There are many weights and colors of vellum to experiment with.

You can print on vellum using any laser printer. When using an inkjet printer change your settings to economy, draft, or speed depending on yout printer so the least amount of ink possible with be used. This will decrease your chances of smearing the ink. Let the ink dry completly before handling the vellum paper.

If you have only a small piece of vellum to print on, print your message on a regular piece of paper first. Then temporarily tape the vellum over the message on your test paper and run it through the printer again.

To mount your vellum paper to your scrapbooking page, lay your piece of vellum paper up-side-down of newspaper, and lightly spray photo mounting spray on the back. The vellum paper will them mount easily to your scrapbook. Other methods include using clear photo corners, and punching holes in the vellum and using a ribbon or eyelet to attach the vellum to your page.

For scrapbooking, vellum is great for printing titles, and adding embellishments. One simple idea is to stamp or paint a design on vellum paper that is trimmed with a thin metal frame. You can attach the vellum embellishment to the page with a ribbon. This is a good idea for pages where an anitque look is desired.

Vellum Invitations - Great for weddings or other formal events


Print the information for the event on vellum paper.

Select a piece of heavy cardstock to back your vellum paper.

Cut the cardstock to be about half an inch bigger than your vellum paper in both directions.

Place the vellum on top of the card stock so there is a quarter of an inch of cardstock on each side as a border.

Punch two holes in the top of the vellum paper and cardstock that are about an inch or an inch and a half apart. And use a matching ribbon to tie the papers together.



Hint: To keep the ribbon from comming untied use a dab of clear-drying glue.

Another option is to decorate the vellum and attach it over the printed invitation. The velum can be embossed or you can add a a dash of glitter to make it sparkle.

Embossing Your Paper - Embossing is a way to really enhance your pages. Vellum looks great embossed, but you can experiment on other types of paper as well. Here is how it is done.


Stamp or print onto your paper and sprinkle embossing powder on the design while it is still wet.

Shake of the excess powder from the paper.

Use you embossing heater or other heating tool to heat the embossing powder.


Cardstock

Carstock is usually thicker than normal paper, and therefore is good to use as a base for your scrapbooking pages especially if you like to add heavy embellishments. It is also good for matting pictures onto. I like to buy smaller pieces of cardtock to mat my pictures on. That way I don't have to worry about cutting perfectly straight lines. There are many types of cardstock. Two popular types of cardstock are smooth card stock and linen card stock. Both are excellent choices for scrapbooking. Linen card stock is semi-rough and has the look of linen cloth. It is good for adding more texture to your scrapbook pages if you think they are too dull.

There are many grades of cardstock. Remember that the higher the count, the thicker the paper is.

Labels

Before I started scrapbooking I thought that labels were just for business uses like addressing letter and labeling files. I have come to find that they are actually an inexpensive way to make neat stickers. If you have a good printer, you can find pictures you like on the internet and print them onto your label paper. Then just peel them off or cut them into the desired shape and stick them onto your scrapbooking page. If you want to add dimension to your page, mount your sticker onto thick cardstock and use double-sided tape to attach it to your scrapbook.

Transparencies

A transparency is a clear piece of paper. It is competely see-through like glass. You can buy transparencies at office supply stores, and some craft stores. You have likely only seen transparencies used with overhead projectors. But here are some other ways to use them for scrapbooking. Use your imagination, the possibilities are endless.

Transparency Covers


Stamp letters on a piece of paper. Cut them out, and glue them right side up onto a transparency. You can also use shapes of any kind instead of letters.

Paint over the transparency on the same side you glued the letters. You can paint using a splattering technique, streaks, or any other way you can think of. Acrylic paint works great.

Once the paint is dry, remove the letters for a cool effect. This technique is great for page titles.

Optional: Attach the transparency using spray adhesive.


Transparency Tile Accents


Stamp an image on a transparency with solvent ink.

Trim the transparency around the image. You can also cut the image into equal size squares to create a mosaic look.

Completely cover the image with clear dimensional adhesive until it can't hold any more. Let the adhesive dry for a few hours.

When the image is competely dry, apply clear-drying adhesive to the back and attach it to your page.


Transparency Accents


Cut the desired shape of your accent out of a piece of transparency paper.

Cover the accent with crystl laquer until it can't hold any more.

Cover the accent with crystl laquer until it can't hold any more.

When the crystal lacquer is dry, peel the transparency off of the back of the accent.

Lisa Robbins is a businesswoman and an enthusiast for sports, family, and crafts. She is the creator and maintainer of ScrapsAndCrafts.com, a scrapbooking tutorial and wholesale scrapbooking supply website. She is also a contributor to ScrapbookFinds.com, a search tool for scrapbooking products.

In addition to these roles, Lisa is also one of the owners of RobbinsSports.com, a team sports and fitness products store.

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