All meetings take place in Warsaw, Podwale Street 17a (Galeria Papierówka)

The first secret The history of paper or how man invented paper.

To make the series of workshops “Handmade Paper and Its Secrets” interesting, we will present a story about the history of paper and humanity’s journey to inventing it. Workshop participants will have the opportunity to see papyrus, parchment, and wax tablets. They will learn about the variety of materials on which they can create unique works, harnessing the history of papermaking. During the workshop, we will create your first handmade paper. Paper with a watermark – filigree.

The second secret

We create plant-based paper. Plant compositions.

During this workshop, we’ll create unique plant-based papers. We’ll embed long, flowering grasses, herbs, fleshy leaves, and plant umbels in the paper. The result will be unique images/compositions that will decorate homes or make beautiful gifts.

The third mistery

Marbling of handmade paper

These colorful and mysterious workshops will reveal how, without the aid of computers or modern printing machines, people once colored paper, which was then used to decorate old books. We will apply oily dyes to a thick plant extract, which we will then transfer to handmade paper. The result will be beautiful, colorful prints adorned with whimsical patterns. We guarantee you will have a great time at these workshops.

The fourth secret

Leonardo da Vinci and his way of creating plant stamps.

Discovering the fourth mystery will be fascinating – we will create herbarium papers inspired by Leonardo da Vinci, using gifts of nature – plants, the texture of tree bark, and leaves. While creating herbarium papers, we will learn how to create our own inks using plant juices and gum arabic, as well as plant decoctions suitable for creating water-based paints.

The fifth secret

Double lampshade paper

By discovering the fifth secret, we will create beautiful sheets of lampshade paper on a sieve with plants embedded between two layers of paper. During the day, light beautifully unfolds on the convex reliefs of these papers. When the light is turned on, the paper fully reveals the embedded color and plant elements.

The sixth secret

We sew unique books.

We’ll create a unique work of art from various experimental papers: an artist’s notebook. We’ll design a notebook using various sheets of handmade plant paper, expandable bookmarks, and other imaginative pockets. We’ll select covers and then sew the notebook together using linen thread, using a technique handed down by old bookbinders from the 19th century. During this workshop, we’ll also learn the technique of sewing a book using a bookbinding stitcher. Each workshop participant will have the opportunity to hand-sew the folded section of the book.

The seventh secret

Jewelry, mobiles, paper cutouts.

While discovering the seventh secret of paper, we’ll create three-dimensional objects. We’ll suggest making artistic jewelry from handmade paper and three-dimensional Christmas tree toys that can also be used as mobiles.

The eight secret

Paper and clay vessels.

By adding cellulose pulp to the ceramic mass, very large vessels can be created. During firing, the paper burns, creating pores and empty spaces that give the vessels their lightness. This discovery allowed ceramic artists to create large, three-dimensional sculptures. We will create bowls and plates from ceramic mass with the addition of cellulose.

Information about the duration of the workshops.

The planned workshops, “Handmade Paper and Its Secrets – Art in the World of Paper,” are open to 10 people, ages 12 and up. Classes will be held once a week, from March to December (with a summer break from July to October).

Materials for teachers and group leaders.

history of paper  history of marbling  leaflet informing about the workshops