Silk paper

I used the technique of teasing out the cocoon strippings on a layer of baking paper, adding "stuff" and another thin layer of cocoon strippings, spritzing it with water, putting another sheet of baking paper on top, and then ironing it dry. The cocoon strippings have serricin, the natural glue in silk - and that glues it magically together.

The additions are metallic organza on the left and gold embroidery thread on the right.
The gold thread on hand was 4-ply - when I started pulling one strand out, the rest curled up - nice - rather like writing! How to keep the loops? start by tying a knot in one end, then when you have enough loops, use the extra length of the single strand to tie around the other three.

I hope to do some screenprinting on these small sheets, and on other thicker ones yet to be made.