Willow Paper - Inner Bark

1. Collect twigs from a local willow tree. (preferably ones that have already fallen from the tree)
2. Place these twigs in a pan of boiling water.
3. Boil the twigs for 2 hours.
4. After 2 hours remove the wood from the water.
5. Using an implement with a strong edge (maybe a piece of steel) grind the outer bark from the twig leaving the inner bark and the wood.
6. Using a Stanley knife remove the inner bark from the wood. (you are now left with the inner bark separated from the outer bark and the wood)
7. Cut this inner bark in to 1 inch strips.
8. Place these 1 inch strips of willow inner bark in a pan of boiling water.
9. Boil for a further 2 hours.
10. Remove the boiled inner bark and grind in a pestle and mortar.
11. Place this ground inner bark in a pan of boiling water.
12. Boil for an hour.
13. Remove the boiled inner bark and grind in a pestle and mortar.
14. Place this pulp in a paper bath and pull the sheet using a deckle and mould.

Takes a long time, but successful!

Willow (inner bark) paper sheet