Paper out of corn husk

Things You'll Need

Corn husk leaves or tamale wrappers Non-reactive pot (glass, enamel, or stainless steel) Washing soda (sodium carbonate) Bowl Wheat flour Newspaper Interfacing or stiff fabric

1. Soak corn husks in water for two hours or until softened. Trim the pointed tip off each husk. 2. Heat water in a non-reactive pot until almost boiling, then add 1 cup of washing soda for each 1 1/2 gallons of water. Add soaked husks and simmer for 30 minutes. The husks should be soft and translucent. 3. Fill bowl with clean water and gently rinse corn husks. Refill the bowl with clean water and submerge the husks to keep them wet. Don't allow the corn husks to dry out. 4. Mix wheat flour with water to create a wheat paste. Set aside. 5. Take a corn husk and pat it dry between two pieces of newspaper. 6. Lay a sheet of interfacing or fabric onto your work surface. Arrange a row of corn husk pieces ridged-side-down on the interfacing. Their edges should touch. 7. Brush the layer of corn husks with the wheat paste. Now lay another layer of corn husks smooth-side-down at a ninety-degree angle to layer one. You've completed one piece of corn husk papyrus. 8. Add a layer of newspaper on top of your papyrus and repeat steps 5 through 7 until you have used all your husks. 9. Add a final sheet of newspaper and press under books or other weights until dry.

Homemade hair gel

Things You'll Need

Water Pot Mixing bowl Unflavored gelatin Aloe vera gel Storing container Essential oils (optional)

1. Heat 1 cup water in a pot. Just before the water comes to a boil, remove the pot from heat. 2. Add 1 cup warm water, tsp. unflavored gelatin and tsp. aloe vera gel. If you'd like, add a few drops of essential oils for scent. 3. Mix all of the ingredients together until you reach a smooth, thick texture. If your mixture is watery after stirring, continue sprinkling small amounts of gelatin as you mix until you have reached the proper consistency. 4. Because homemade hair gel does not contain preservatives, you must store it in the refrigerator. Reuse an old hair gel container, a jar or even a plastic storage container to store your gel. Keep the gel refrigerated when not in use. It will last 1 to 2 weeks.