*Although fleshy mushrooms can be used, you are more likely to have success with the tough, corky polypores and other fibrous fungi. Once collected, they should be soaked at least overnight and can be soalked for weeks if the water is changed every two o r three days. You may also wish to add recycled papers, colored strips or threads, scraps and such for binders and textures. If you use newspaper, you will always get gray overtones, which you may not wish. Most of the fungi will give you varying shade s of tan, from pale, almost white, to deep ecru, even to brown. They also have a very attractive aroma.

DECKLE AND MOULD

You can buy a professional set or make your own. The deckle is a frame the same size as the mould. Both it and the mould can be made with wood strips shaped into a rectangle, like to 'L' shapes put together. The screen will be stapled or tacked to the top of the mould.

The deckle is placed over the mould when picking up your fibers and it also 'edges' your paper. If you wish to simplify, you can dispense with the deckle and use screen wire with all four sides covered with ;duct tape to use as a mould. In this case, it is very important to hold it flat while lifting underneath the slurry. The edge may not be as even but that may be a sesirable characteristic. Use your imagination... You may think of other frames, such as embroidery hoops with netting in them to serve this purpose. In any case do not begin with a large size.

PREPARATION and PROCESS

Make a thick stack of newspapers, over which place toweling or other absorbent materials.

Making the stock
After soaking, chop the mushrooms and grind with water in blender for a minute or two. Blend on different settings until you get a puree. Do not overload the blender, repeat blend instead. If you wish to add bits of soaked paper or rags strips, add the se at this time.

Slurry
Dump the stock into the tray with plenty of water. The amount of stock to water is something with which you will wish to experiment. Stir until materials are well distributed.
With your hand, move from side to side under the surface of the water to more or less line up the fibers. Holding the 'deckle and mould' on each side, tilt it under the surface and quickly lift it up underneath the floating materials. Very quickly tilt it in each direction to get good coverage. If the screen is not well covered, dip it again until you are satisfied. Allow the paper to drip back into the tray until most of the water has run off.

Couching (pronounced 'cooching')
Place your hands so that thumbs are underneath, fingers on top of each side of the mould and quickly flip paper onto the sheeting or toweling. Screen should now be on top of your paper. With sponge, sop up excess water. Carefully lift the screen from y our paper. If it has become too dry, the paper will tear or the screen will stick to it. If this happens, sponge on more water through the screen until you can get it to release. The thinner the paper, the more delicate this step becomes.

Drying
Continue to dry by replacing newpapers and covering cloths. Ironing gently over a cover cloth can speed up this process. When dry enough to be easily handled, hang to complete or, if you wish very flat paper, put it under weights, continuing to change u nderneath papers or cloths frequently.

There are no real mistakes. You can throw back whatever you do not like at any stage. The stock can be kept indefinitely- just add water.

DO NOT FLUSH DOWN SINK OR LAVATORY AS THE STOCK AND WATER MAY CLOG DRAINS.

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