Pattern Info
Pattern info for this project can be found here:
Tea staining paper at the Sago on Tuesdays bindery »
Tea staining paper at the Sago on Tuesdays bindery »
Difficulty:
Category: Paper Crafts
Type of item: Functional
For: Home
Style: Goth, Classic, Romantic, Victorian / Steampunk, Traditional, Retro / Vintage, Eco-Friendly
Materials
plastic tub, cheap tea bags, bi-carb soda (baking soda), warm water, paper of choice, plastic perforated trays,
What was your inspiration?
My bindery customers and students loooove the tea stained look - so yesterday, so romantic - but the normal methods can be very time consuming, not to mention turning papers acidic, and hence no good for making works that you want to last.
You can do a hundered sheets plus in a day with this method, and neutralise the acid as well. It's so easy, and not at all messy.
What are you most proud of?
The feedback I have had from students and other binders that the speed of this method gives them the chance to do complete antiqued projects in realistic time.
What advice would you give someone starting this project?
To get the most out of this, it's great to have a selection of different papers, to see which papers make the best effects for you. Also, to use the tea bath not just once, but up to 7 days straight, as the colours and sediment from the tea bags continues to produce better and better effects.
Just be sure to check the pH with a testing kit (if pH is the important thing for you) and add and stir in more bi-carb until it comes down to about 6.5-7.
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