Grass paper

Grass paper - recipe by Gabriella Timanti

This can result in a flat sheet of paper or molded in a 3D shape, as depicted below. 

Tools:Hot plate
Cooking pot
Spoon
Flat surface
Blender
Rolling pin
Drainer / strainer
Large rectangular tub
Mould and Deckle
Cloths
Some type of weight (heavy books do well)

• Water 10 kg / L
• Grass 1 kg
• Soda ash 10 gr (washing soda, sodium carbonate Na2CO3)

1. Boil the grass (freshly cut or not) in water with soda for 1-2 hours. Stir occasionally.
2. Drain grass.
3. Beat the grass with a rolling pin/mallet hammer or similar until slightly pulpy.
4. Fill a large tub with water until about half full.
5. Slowly, and while keeping the flow in one place to avoid air bubbles, pour the mixture in your mould or on your chosen surface. Note: Don't cast hot bioplastic on acryllic that is thinner than 7mm, it will bend.

Drying / curing:
Let the material dry in a ventilated and dry room and de-mould when your plastic feels solid, but still cold to the touch - often after 24-48 hours. Keep ventilated and regularly turn your piece over until it is dry, so as to avoid mold formation with long drying times.