Papermaking with Kelsey Pike

Hello! I'm Kelsey Pike, author of the new book Modern Papermaking: Techniques in Handmade Paper, 13 Projects.

I'm a production papermaker based in Kansas City, Missouri. I have been in love with the obscure and tedious art form of hand papermaking since I first tried it in art school in 2009. Through my business, Sustainable Paper+Craft, I create fine handmade papers for artists and makers, made from recycled fabric and other sustainable fibers. I hope to pass on the love of this traditional craft through teaching and writing. 

I learned papermaking in a fibers intro class at the local art college, and immediately knew I loved it, and really needed to spend some time with the craft. I applied for a work-study position in the studio in order to spend more time there, and in the next semester, completed an independent study for my printmaking major exploring the links and possible combinations of the two media. The following year, I knew I needed to make a plan to ensure I'd have my own papermaking equipment after graduation. I started a business and online shop on my Junior year, where I sold the handmade papers and products I made from it (like notebooks and cards), and after a year, I had saved enough to purchase a Hollander beater of my own! We set up shop in my parent's garage, and my very handy dad went to work building all the tables, press and other equipment needed. From here, business slowly grew.

In 2016, I needed more space, and founded Cherry Pit Collective, a communal studio space for artists and makers. In 2021, we worked with the landlords to build a second floor at the collective, to house my expanding studio. This additional space allowed me to hire my first apprentices and other assistants for studio tasks, which has allowed an increase in production. Almost 15 years later, I'm sometimes still amazed at the path that first papermaking class sent me down.

Many of the projects in the book were originally developed for my Monthly Paper Parcel. When I quit my day job and started making paper full-time in 2020, I wanted to reserve time and energy for play and testing new techniques, as most clients order fairly large quantities of white paper. The idea of a monthly paper subscription box was born! Since then, every month I have worked with fun new colors, and test out interesting techniques, such as embossing, layering and altering the sheets while wet.

One of the most popular papers, which is included as a project in the book, is the Wave paper - which is a 3 layered paper that resembles an ocean wave on the beach. Another thing I love about this project is collaborating with other artists, like this parcel made with Socorro Rico based on her painting Granada. 

We used materials referenced in the painting, like making paper out of straw, embossing paper with straw, and including gold foil, as well as referencing the shapes colors from the painting. 

When I was first thinking about this book, I knew I wanted to include a color chart with recipes, as color mixing is such an important part of my practice. Papermakers use paste-consistency colorants called aqueous dispersed pigments in conjunction with retention agents to affix the color to the pulp. The sheets must then be pulled and dried before the true color of the paper is revealed - making the color-matching process long and frustrating. The process for developing and sampling this color palette was long, messy, and complicated, but in the end I'm so pleased with the result. I hope the chapter on color can demystify this process for the next generation of papermakers. 

Making beautiful, useful sheets from start to finish is a truly satisfying experience, and I hope this book brings that experience to crafters and artists all over, for years to come.

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Kelsey Pike is a production papermaker and owner of Sustainable Paper + Craft, based in Kansas City, Missouri. Kelsey always prioritizes good craft, so she’s continuously studying, practicing, and learning to make the best paper possible.

Follow Kelsey on social media: Instagram