Founded in 1971, Twinrocker Handmade Paper brought handmade paper back to America.
One of the most important supplies in Colonial New England was paper. By law, paper had to be imported. There was an illegal paper mill, and if needed, people could make their own paper, but paper was primarily imported from England.
After the Revolution, paper mills came into high demand. One of the largest paper mills in the Midwest was in Delphi. As machines and the supply of power to those machines became more readily available, the cost of paper came down. By 1970, none of the mills still making paper by hand were located in the US.
As an artist, Kathryn Clark was familiar with artists ordering paper from Europe. There were no mills catering to the individual needs of various artists. Kathryn, one of twins, and her husband Howard started Twinrocker mill in Brookston.
Although made with modern machinery, the paper is made in the same fashion as paper was made in the 1600’s. With paper being made one piece at a time, the craftsman determines the weight and size needed.
The materials needed for the paper is put into the beater to become pulp. (A blender can be used in classroom/home papermaking) The pulp is then added to a vat containing water.
A mold, frame with screen, is immersed in the vat. The mold is removed and allowed to drain. Once sufficiently drained, the paper is left to dry.
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