Materials Needed:
- Seaweed
- A container for collecting, Tupperware with lid is best
- Tap water
- 100% cotton rag paper (available are art supply stores) Cut in standard frame sizes like
- 5 x 7 or 8 x 10.
- Colander
- Two small dishwasher tubs like Rubbermaid. Large pots work well too.
- Tweezers
- Wax paper or cheesecloth
- Paper towels
- Packing paper available at shipping supply stores like Mail Boxes Etc.
- Heavy books for weights
- Fan
Step1. Collect the seaweed. Rocky shores at low tide are the best spot. Look for seaweed in different colors, shapes and textures. Put the seaweed in a container filled with a bit of clean seawater. You should add enough water to cover the specimens and keep them moist.
Step 2. Take your seaweed home and put it in a colander and rinse thoroughly with tap water. Place in a dishwasher tub with tap water. This will be your sorting tank.
Step 3. Fill the second dishwasher tub half way with water. Place the paper in the water so it is submerged. Choose seaweed from your sorting tank and place on top of the paper. It should float slightly above it. Think about the result you want. The variety of seaweed’s shapes, colors and textures naturally lend themselves to beautiful abstract designs. Put your hands under the paper and remove quickly from the water. The fast movement should capture the fluid motion of the seaweed. Adjust with tweezers or your fingers if necessary. Tilt the paper from side to side to drain excess water and blot with paper towels.
Step 4. Place your design on a stack of packing paper. Cover with wax paper or cheese cloth and more packing paper. The packing paper acts as a blotter. The wax paper prevents sticking to the packing paper. Stack heavy books or weights on top. Set a fan in front of it on a low setting. Every other day change the packing paper until your paper is completely dry. This can take up to two to three weeks.
Step5. Once your masterpiece is completely dry you can frame it. Seaweed has a natural glue in it that causes it to stick to paper. If there are some loose pieces you can glue them down or laminate your piece. Keep out of direct sunlight and the color should last a long time.
