Make Papier Mâché Objects

Papier-Mâché is useful to use if you are making something. This guide will help you make something using it.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 Cup of Cold Water
  • 1/2 Cup of Boiling Water
  • 1/2 Cup of Flour
  • 3/4 Tsp of Sugar
  • Or:
  • 3/4 Cup of Cold Water
  • 1/4 PVA Glue

Steps

  1. Find something to act as a base, like a piece of cardboard or a bowl. The example in this article describes making something using a balloon as a base but it could really be anything.
  2. Blow it up to about around the same size as your head and tie it.
  3. Shred any kind of paper, newspaper is quite common, but kitchen tissue (paper towel) works better.
  4. Make the glue using 2 parts of PVA to 1 part of water (e.g. 2 liters of glue to 1 liter of water).
  5. Paste the glue onto the paper and layer it onto the balloon, making sure there are no lumps.
  6. Do this until there are about five layers.
  7. Leave it to dry.
  8. Pop the balloon and take it out, leaving the shell.
  9. Cut the shell into the right shape.
  10. Paint it.
  11. Varnish it to preserve the bowl.
  12. Finished.



Tips

  • If using water and flour, use some salt.
  • Mix 1/2 cup cold water with 1/2 cup flour and 1/2 cup boiling water. Bring to a boil. When it begins boiling, remove from heat and add 3/4 tsp. sugar. Cool, then use as you would normal paste.
  • You could also follow these more detailed instructions for making the paste -
  • Use something such as chicken wire to create an armature or "skeleton".

Things You'll Need

  • Paper
  • A balloon or any other base
  • PVA Glue or Flour
  • Water

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