Pinehurst Library promotes creativity
Rory Pileggi carefully places pressed flowers on her handmade paper, made at Tuesday's papermaking class at Pinehurst Library.
Photo by MOLLY ROBERTS
Pressed flowers were used to place on the handmade paper.
James Driscoll, Melissa Driscoll, Mary Sawyer and Rory Pileggi were part of the group for Tuesday afternoon's papermaking class at the Pinehurst Library.
PINEHURST — If you are looking for ways to stay out of the heat, the Pinehurst Library has free events geared toward adults and teens throughout the summer and fall.
The library recently held a recycled papermaking class, incorporating pressed flowers into the paper for some beautifully added decor.
Jessica Hunt, who works for the library and ran the class, explained how she wants to gear lessons more toward teenagers and adults.
“There is always a lot of fun programming for younger children at the library,” she said. “But I want to have more programs for an older crowd. Programs like this papermaking class are geared towards adults, but younger children can attend with guardian supervision.”
Hunt went through the process of making the paper with the class, demonstrating the technique before the group went for it themselves.
“We used shreds from the library to make the paper, so it was already waste and cut up enough to use,” Hunt said.
The smaller the bits of paper, the better, as the water must be absorbed, making a thick pulp.
Hunt then used a blender to thoroughly meld the water and paper into a paper mache consistency.
Once the paper is thoroughly blended and soaked, Hunt demonstrated using a papermaking mold and deckle (or mould for our neighbors across the pond), two separate frames of the same size, with one frame having screening attached. The other frame then stays loose (the deckle). When the deckle is laid on top of the mold, it begins to form the edges of the paper. During this time, the class added an extra step by adding the pressed flowers for some added artistry.
“It’s not going to be perfect, but that's OK,” Hunt said to the group. She then demonstrated using a sponge and towels to soak up as much excess water as possible.
The paper is then carefully removed and set to fully dry, which can take roughly 30 minutes to a couple of days, depending on the thickness of the paper.
Several people attended the two-day class, which is a positive sign for the library for future events.
The Pinehurst Library has a multitude of free events for adults and teenagers in the future. Beginning at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2, nature expert Adam Oblander will give a fall foraging lecture, where you can learn about useful plants and mushrooms while trekking and hiking the trails of the Silver Valley.
Avid readers can get excited about the book club discussion that will begin with the comedy science fiction novel “Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” by Douglas Adams, starting Aug. 9, at 1 p.m.
To sign up for free events or for more information, call the Pinehurst Library at 208-682-3483 or sign up at the front desk at 107 Main St. in Pinehurst.
