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PREPARING THE FIBER

Parts of fruits & vegetables (fresh, frozen or dried) or recycled paper products.
Garden shears or kitchen scissors .
Strainer to rinse uncooked fibers.
Electric hotplate.
21- quart(20-liter) standard canning pot.
Small cooking pot.
Measuring jug,cups,spoons.
Appropriate protective gloves & safety glasses.
Washing soda or soda ash.
Stirring spoon.
strainer bucket made from a 5-gallon (19-liter) plastic bucket, a large nylon paint strainer or other type of mesh,& three clothespins.

MAKING THE PULP

Partially processed fiber or paper pulp to strengthen the fruit & vegetable fiber (abaca fiber - from the leaf stock of banana trees- can be purchased in sheets from papermaking suppliers , with 1\3lb (150g) of abaca sufficient for about 40 thin , stationery-size paper sheets when combined with fruit & vegetable fiber .

One or two medium - size bowls .
Blender (do not use a food processor)
5-gallon (19-liter ) plastic bucket
Liquid starch (sizing to make the paper water-repellent & bleed - resistant .)

FORMING THE SHEETS continue...

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