Lace, Beeswax & the Hope Hedge

Lace

I have had a break from the paper lace for a while as the cold has meant it’s so hard to dry anything plus I have been painting and dealing with three shows so I have been busy. I am getting myself OK with the idea that the netting will have to become part of the lace and I had a bit of a play to see what might be possible. I see potential in the video below, although i still needs a lot of thought. I will try to make some lace on fabric or calico perhaps to see if that looks better or if the paper peels off. Another suggestion from Guy was to make huge scale lace so that the lace itself could be thicker and stronger but still look really delicate - an idea I quite like.

Beeswax

I saw a video of someone using beeswax to make moulds for paper pulp and I thought I would have a go. I bought a round, silicone tray to fill it as I imagine round fungal spores… First attempt today, the beeswax part was straightforward but I am still having difficulty making a really beautiful pulp. I bought some Kozo pulp to see how it differs from recycling and my first attempt is with Kozo. The downsize is that it costs money and it doesn’t really speak to composting and my garden. I feel it is a necessary step nevertheless as the pulp seems to have been a show stopper since the beginning so at least this will speak to understanding the wider properties of paper pulp and then from there I can see what I need to do to make the pulp smoother and less lumpy.

The Hope Hedge

Following on from Yoko Ono’s Wish Tree I am wondering whether my paper hedge fragments might have been just a frivolous moment of trying something or whether I might develop it. Obviously I am not really going to call it the Hope Hedge…

I was wondering about allowing the paper to stay there and just see what the hedge does with it… As Spring comes it might get consumed in leaves or fall off or, well, I am not sure. I could photograph the paper and see what happens. I guess this is the definition of play - just enjoying the rummaging around in the bushes with no particular plan in mind just enjoying the twigs and leaves and bits of paper in my hands.