Felting Mulberry Papers Using the Korean Art of Joomchi. - The Beggining - exploring the process.

Let’s get Started - The Art of Joomchi, The Beginning.

This technique uses the particular qualities of mulberry paper to craft papers into a solid and durable fabric-like material. Hanji (Korean mulberry paper) is manipulated by hand, moulded and felted, rubbed and coaxed, causing the long fibres, typical of mulberry papers, to felt and adhere to each other. The paper becomes stronger the more it is worked.
The process creates strong, textural, textile-like papers that become elegantly smooth. The result can be six times stronger than ordinary Hanji papers and can be sewn into clothing or used to make functional items such as wallets, containers and covers.

With scant information about this process, Louise follows advice to just give it a go. This exploration of the materials and process will be shared as a journey you can join. Hope you enjoy it and experience this technique and the unique qualities of handmade mulberry paper.

Other relevant videos by Louise Jannetta

With thanks to the following Joomchi and Hanji artists. Please see the fantastic videos of their practice –

Jeong Han Yun and Choon Hyang Yun - See -Paper Abstract Artist, Jeong & Choon – video link Jeong Han Yun and Choon Hyang Yun

Hanji, or Korean paper, is the name of traditional handmade paper from Korea. Hanji or mulberry paper is made from the inner bark of Broussonetia papyrifera, known colloquially as paper mulberry or DAK. Dak is a tree native to Korea that grows well on the sunny slopes of Korea’s many mountains. It is prized for its long white fibres. The formation aid crucial to making hanji is the mucilage that oozes from the roots of the Hibiscus Manihot. This substance helps suspend individual fibres in water. Traditional hanji is produced in laminated sheets using the we bal method (a sheet formation technique), which allows for multi-directional grain[3]. Creating hanji also employs dochim, a method of pounding finished sheets to compact fibres and lessen ink bleed. Hanji paper is famous across Asia for its white colour and extreme durability and was a high import to China in tribute missions.

[DeerheartStudioArts]

As a former paper maker, I understand the nature of cellulose fibres to tangle with each other and bond. Vander Val’s forces. That’s how paper is made. So rehydrating the paper relaxes some of those fibres so they bond with the nearby fibres. Mulberry paper is good because the fibres are long and strong and can tolerate all the manipulating. Newspaper, construction paper, and many craft papers are made from wood pulp which are very short fibres and not strong and so will likely disintegrate rather than rebond.
Your vid has really inspired me to try with the small mulberry papers I got from Amazon in my case all in the pink family and all fabulous for this technique. I have also done momigami and use a little bit of glycerine in the water. (about 1part glycerine to 6 parts water or more dilute. too much glycerine leaves the paper tacky) thanks so much again!🦌💌❤️📚

[upstairsartstudios]

Your designs are exquisite. Instructions wonderful.

[renig]

This is very interesting process with some great results🎉 thx for sharing 😊

[gbear]

oh my goodness! I do wet felting and also mixed media but i never thought of felting paper! I must try this, thank you!

[marionwigzell]

What an amazing process. I’ve never heard of this before. Thanks for sharing your knowledge (-: Marion 🎉

[donnadees]

Omg, thank you, I never would have thought.and recycling, too.

[ReviewsAndMore]

Beautiful. I love all of them. Thanks so much for teaching these techniques.

[zenrvn]

Oh I love this. And I just happen to live in the hanji capital of the world….S. Korea. Will definitely be trying this.

[petergordon]

Nice one enjoyed this one lots of sunshine sent from Italy back to the cold soon . Peter Scotland xxx ps will be trying to do this one looks great thanks xx

[iwill]

Wow, Those are beautiful. I'm hooked! I'm going to try it now right now. Thank you.

[sandieburrows]

Thank you so much Louise your results are stunning 😊 x

[lindas]

Oh my how fascinating! YouTube is such an amazing source of all things interesting and fabulous! I’ve never heard of this art form but am inspired to learn more about it. Asian aesthetic is so appealing to me because the technique often seems hidden. Unusual materials add to this mystery.

[DeerheartStudioArts]

thanks so much, must do this as soon as my current projects are finished, can’t wait!🦌💌❤️📚

[suruha]

I love the designs you got! This is cool! Thanks!

[katharinatrub]

Ohhlalaaa, I absolutely love to discover this technique! I must try this out someday soon! Just have to find Mullberrypaper. I believe you said having got it by mail. Thank you so much for having shared your knowledge!

[janillingsworth]

How exciting! I love these pieces. My original training was in textile art way back in the 1960s. I do like the multi layered look and the lovely holes as well.

[Divinemessages]

New Subbie here from Yorkshire UK! I love this technique and yours turned out lovely! Thank you for sharing, I must try it some time :)

[grfng]

Very interesting demonstration ... I've just received a Joomchi instruction book and now I can make a lot more sense of the process having watched this ... thank you ❤

[karrontroil]

Beautiful work!! Thank you so much for sharing!!

[conniewhall]

Well L.J. -
When you promise, you deliver.
This is beyond super wicked.
Are there other substrates that are user-friendly with this amazing technique? Please o please say yes & that you will share with us.
Keep doing your videos with your talent.
?: Just how does it feel to be the leader?
Thank you. Blessings. Now.