Crop Corner

First, not all mulberry paper on the market is acid-free. You may want to test it with an acid-testing pen before you use it. If you happen to own a can of Archival Mist deacidification spray you can use that to neutralize the paper before you use it in your albums. Or simply buy the paper from a manufacturer that you trust and states that the paper is indeed acid-free. Second, mulberry paper is not meant to be cut. It is to be torn. There are two basic tearing methods. The first is the ol' lick and tear technique. You fold the paper where you want to tear it. Lick along this edge and then the paper will tear nicely leaving a beautiful fuzzy edge. This works really well for straight edges. If you are not fond of putting items of an unknown origin in your mouth, a damp sponge that you can slide the edge of the paper along will work just as well. The second technique can be used for tearing curves, or shapes. In this case, you simply use a cotton swab that has been dipped in water to "draw" the shape onto the paper, wetting and loosening the fibers. Once you have used either of these methods to wet the paper, the material will be ready for tearing. As you pull the paper apart along the wet tear line, you will need a small pair of sharp scissors to cut any thick fibers that do not want to break apart on their own.