Pigments, Pulp and the Chemicals That Make it Work

This is an online 1.5 hour course via Zoom demonstrating and explaining the process of pigmenting pulp and using other papermaking agents such as retention aid, sizing (internal & external), and all formation aids on the market. A clear explanation through technical demonstrations will inform how these agents function and how they work together or not. We will discuss how to add to pulp, how much to add and when. Wet (aqueous dispersed) and dry pigments will both be used in the demonstration and preference to either based on a project or pulp to be used. This course will help you understand how to pigment many differ fibers successfully for pulp painting, pulp imaging, natural fibers as well as other paper making methods – traditional and non-traditional. As we walk through the process recipes will be provided for the chemical agents that come as a powder or otherwise to be made into solutions to use immediately or as a concentrate for longer storage. We will discuss the beating methods for pulps used throughout demonstrations. The course will take place in my papermaking studio. This is for the beginner, advanced or one who needs a refresher on pigmentation and papermaking chemicals.

WHEN:
Saturday, January 24 , 2026     6:30 pm CST
WHERE: online
FEE: $150.00 for single viewer
$300.00 for multiple viewers watching together
TO REGISTER: Send me an email of which session you are interested in I will send you a square invoice to hold your place. Refund available until November 10. I will send out a reminder one week prior of the event.
TO WATCH: The morning of the session I will send you a link.

IN THE FIELD WORKSHOP

Come join the class “In the Field” on May 9 &10, 2026 at our farm in Laporte, IN.

This is a two-day workshop focusing on how to create handmade natural fiber paper in a sustainable manner. This class will give you focused and practical hands-on experience on how to take a fiber from your backyard and turn it into a usable handmade paper. To expedite the process for a 2-day workshop, 3 fibers are already collected and dried. We will be discussing the process of collection and drying vs. fresh. We will cover precooking of fibers, energy cooking options, different caustics, understanding the cook process, beating possibilities, sheet forming and drying options. We will be expanding each one of these processes to cover multiple and sustainable ways of working which can be repeated where you live. All materials and tools will be provided. This is an outdoor workshop that is somewhat physical.

This class will be held at our farm 756 West 900 North, LAPORTE, IN 46350
Class is from 9:30 – 3:30 on Saturday and 9:30 – 2:00 on Sunday with a break for lunch. We will be providing lunch and will try to meet all dietary restrictions.
Class fee is $350.00.
register and reserve your spot in February 2026