Thread: Shoji screens

Spotlight is a large store over on the Eastern side of Oz, not sure if they are over there, they stock lots of craft related things so they may be able to help you with the paper. As for attaching the paper to the frame, maybe if you could view one already made it would help.

Brett

G'day Westie

Just a thought, but, you might try using the paper used by model aeroplane makers available from hobby shops everywhere. It glues easily to timber and when given a coat of paper dope will become tight as a drum. It is available in a number of colours as well as white. I am not sure if it is rice paper but it sure would do the job nicely.

Cheers - Neil

Thanks for your suggestions guys. Will give Spotlight a go. Great idea about the aeroplane paper - wow I haven't smelt paper dope for years.

Suggest you do a search for craft (NOT Kraft) paper makers or check with craft guild of Australia to find one near you. There are some people out there who put the same care into making paper as we do into our woodwork. They will discuss what you want to make and suggest fibres that will make your screen truly original.

Better HOmes and Gardens (I think) had a show on Friday night and they were talking about Japanese Mulberry Paper and how to make it, they also mentioned that this was used in screens. I think it is channel 9 and there may be a fact sheet available if you want to make your own. I thought that the screens were silk, or is that the Chinese variety?

I found your query looking up the internet & then had to join woodwork forum to contact you (talk about a puzzler)

I am an artist working with Japanese mulberry paper & pressed flowers. I then treat the paper to make it waterproof & stronger.

I have been trying for ages to find a craftsman to make the wood component to create a shoji screen (room divider). In desperation I bought a cheap shoji screen & pulled the internals out of it so I was just left with the wooden screen. I then added my artwork. It look great but would look much classier in better wood, & with better crafting.

Maybe we can work together to create them Can you help me. thanks

Irene

Notwithstanding the potential for a great partnership above (!), rice paper is usually available in many varieties from the bigger art supply houses.

Try the commercial sized ones rather than the framing franchise that sells crayons on the side.

Another strange source may be a local surfboard manufacturer, or at least the guy that does the artwork for same, which is often on rice paper, glassed over.

All the best,

P

staggered again by the power of the net




two ppl who would be likely to never become aware of the other, do so on the net ......


google away!


success

and speaking of google


http://ourhouse.ninemsn.com.au/ourho...ers/05/562.asp

http://www.awagami.or.jp/english/basics.html

I believe the traditional way of fixing the paper is with rice glue easily made from ordinary rice.

two alternatives to the traditional material are

drafting velum real or systhetic


or theatrical lighting diffusion media, (there are a variety of textures & thickness)

both will be far more durable than rice paper, the theatrical dufusion will be more difficult to glue


Or realy down grade.... greaseproof paper.

Westie,

Saw a book about making Shoji screens in Carbatec Perth.

Hey guys!!!!! [size=huge]Wakey-wakey......[/size] it's time to get with the program. This post is over [size=large]2 1/2 years old[/size]. The screen has been made the paper purchased and Westie has most likely moved on to a dozen other projects since then.

Irene jumped in and gave it new life because she is looking for someone who can make her the [size=large]wooden components[/size] for a screen.

Hey, Shoji screens are timeless

To bring the thread up to date

Irene, Carbatec Perth have a notice board in the shop, might be worth putting you request on there as well.

I'm over two and a half years old too...yawn...sniffle...scratch.

Back to sleep now.....

sigh!

P