WORKSHOP: Botanical Paper Making

Discover the fascinating process of turning everyday waste into beautiful handmade paper in this creative, environmentally conscious workshop. Using simple techniques and rescued materials, you will learn how to make unique sheets of paper that can be transformed into cards, artwork, journals, gift wrap and much more.

The workshop will start with a short talk about the story of paper - how it was first developed and the materials people used before its invention. This introduction offers insight into the long history of papermaking and how the craft continues to evolve through sustainable, contemporary practices.

Working with recycled materials such as egg cartons, unwanted book pages, office paper and other paper waste, you will learn how to create paper pulp, form sheets and prepare them for drying. We will also experiment with natural ways of introducing colour and texture, including the use of dried flowers that I have personally gathered during my nature walks, creating delicate botanical details.

Throughout the session, you will be guided through each stage of the papermaking process, from preparing the fibres to lifting and pressing your finished sheets. By the end of the workshop, you will take home a collection of your own handcrafted papers, along with the skills and confidence to continue making paper using recycled materials at home. You will also leave with a fresh appreciation for how everyday discarded materials can be transformed into something both beautiful and useful.

Please note that this workshop can be a little messy, so wear clothes you don't mind getting splashed. Aprons can be provided.

This workshop is led by Agnieszka Zajac , an artist who specialises in mixed media, surreal art. She works with paper and collage, layering, cutting and creating beautiful works of art. She studied Visual Art, Interiors Design, Humanities and Art Therapy and is based in Plymouth where her studios is filled with old books, vintage magazines, photographs and retro postcards.