Momigami with Konnyaku Starch- my first time: Mistakes and ways to work around them.

In this video, I momigami with konnyaku starch for the first time. I share my mistakes as well as the things I learned. This is an art process video, but also a tutorial on how to momigami with the konnyaku starch without waiting 2 hours or longer for the konjac gum powder granules to completely dissolve in your water- the sticky mess if you don't, but also ways to work around it.

Watch me momigami some line drawing doodles I made as well as some papers I made with distress oxide sprays and a piece of mulberry paper. I show you the results of about 14 different handmade papers I momigammied.

I am practicing the technique of using the konnayku starch to momigami using two other video's contents as a guide and reference.

Momigami video references:

   • Momigami technique || Did Konnyaku wo...  

   • Konnyaku Treatment - Make Paper Stron...  

The powder to make the Konnyaku starch: Earthborn Elements Konjac Gum Powder, 1.3 lb, Thickener, Cooking & Baking https://a.co/d/ipXRn5n

Directions on how to use the Konjac powder to make Konnayku starch:

Mix 1/4 to one teaspoon of Konjac powder to 1/2 cup water. (Note that each video recommended a different amount, and the Japanese paper making experts said it did not have to be precise.)

Pour in powder slowly and mix for 30 minutes, stirring constantly. (Note that in this video, I did not stir it constantly for 30 minutes.)

Let mixture sit until the powder granules are completely dissolved and your consistency looks like gelatin, usually takes 2-5 hours. You can let it sit in the fridge overnight. It is best to prepare it ahead of time. (Note that I didn't have the patience to do that in this video. See, what happens when you don't. I will create another video where I do for comparison)

Work with your Konnayku starch by brushing it from the center of your paper outwards, and while your starch is still damp, you can momigami, but let it dry partially. The dampness makes it easier and quicker to fold and crumple, but note that if you didn't wait 2-5 hours for the granules to dissolve, your paper will stick together and probably rip, which I demonstrate in this video.

You're supposed to do one side at a time with the starch, momigami it, then do the other side.

I had the best results applying the starch to one side, letting it dry completely, then applying the starch to the other side, letting that dry, and then momigamming it. This is not the traditional Japanese way where you wait the full 2-5 hours and let the granules dissolve fully, and then momigami while it's damp. I will show you the correct way in another video.

If you do it the correct way (mixing 30 minutes straight and waiting 2+ hours) and your starch is too thick afterward, you can always add water to thin it down.