How to Make Seed Paper

Materials:

• Newspaper- about 3-4 strips will make one small piece of seed paper
• Bucket or bowl large enough to soak newspaper
• Clear and clean squeeze bottle (A recycled ketchup bottle works well)
• Deckle – Please refer to “How to Make a Deckle” instructions below
• Drain bucket (e.g.: deep dish, cookie sheet, or another household item that will help keep your work surface dry.)
• Small Seeds
• Sponge
• Cookie cutters (optional)

What to do: 

1. Tear newspaper into strips and soak in a bucket of water overnight. Each piece of seed paper only requires a few small strips of newspaper. A little goes a long way.
2. Place the deckle over the top of the drain bucket with the fiberglass screen facing up.
3. If needed, cut the tip of the squeeze bottle so it allows the paper pulp and seeds to come out. You may need to play around with the size of the hole to make it work for you.
4.  Add a few pieces of soaked newspaper to the squeeze bottle.
5. Add about a ¼ tsp. of seeds to the squeeze bottle. You can mix and match seeds.
6. Fill the bottle about a ¼ of the way with water.
7. Put the cap on, cover the hole with your finger, and shake.
8. Once the newspaper fibers have broken apart, you can squeeze the seeded pulp onto your deckle.
9. If you are using cookie cutters, place one on the deckle. Squeeze all of the seeded paper pulp into the cookie cutter or directly onto the deckle if you’re not using a cookie cutter.
10. Let it drain slightly. Place a sponge over the top and press down to squeeze out the excess water. The paper may stick to the sponge but will come off when peeled. The shape will also be squashed. You may want to let it dry for a little while in the cookie cutter if you want it to keep its shape. Remove the cutter before the pulp completely dries so it doesn’t stick to the edges of the cookie cutter. If the paper won’t come free of the screen, you can gently tap it upside down until the paper comes loose. You can also try peeling it away from the screen with your fingers.