2007-08-22T21:55:00.000+09:30

How to make Paper Mache

Have you ever wondered what to do with all the shredded paper that you collect when disposing of your personal household and office account details..... if not, then think about how to make paper mache sculptures as an option.

This process not only enables you to dispose of all those personal details in a secure way, under layers of flour and water glue that defies anyone to retrieve addresses for the purpose of identity fraud, but also eliminates the need to dispose of the shredded paper as well. Hey! the next incredible paper mache creation may well be your shredded power bill or payment request notification.....SWEET REVENGE!

Did you know?

If in 2003 every day American businesses was generating enough office paper to circle the Earth 20 times, imagine how much more that would be today;

Worldwide copy paper production is estimated to grow to 396 million ton by 2010, an average annual consumption rate of 128 pounds per person;

Recycling your daily newspaper for one year would provide the pulp equivalent of 2/3 acre of a commercial forest.

To read more Green Facts-Paper Recycling

So simply knowing how to make paper mache by using your scrap waste paper, you can be doing the earth a great favor

With a little creative thinking you can not only save tons of waste paper being dumped or recycled using pollution generating chemicals, but produce works of art that involve you, your family, your community and the entire world, recycling at its best and you can have fun doing it.

How to make Paper Mache – the recipe

knowing how to make paper mache and other similar composites, provides a very satisfactory solution because it allows you to dispose of or recycle paper and cardboard easily and creatively, becoming an exciting, versatile medium. When wet it is like clay, it can be pressed into molds or modeled over an armature. When dry it is lightweight yet has the properties of wood. It does not require firing or baking in an oven or kiln, it can be filed, sanded and carved and acrylic or gesso, paints and varnish and provide an excellent durable finish that can last a life time.” You can make pulp from a variety of papers including newspaper, sugar paper, tissue paper, corrugated paper and all that junk mail - both plain and glossy. Newspaper will produce a coarse pulp.

Thin paper, such as tissue or toilet paper, will produce a fine pulp that results in a porcelain-like finish. With a little experimentation, you will be able to use different types of paper for specific characters. An elderly person or a troll could have an interesting rough surface texture, while the leading lady or child might have a smooth "skin".

The how to make paper mache can be as simple as water and an egg carton or as complex as a full blown composite made up of various additives to give it the texture and feel you want. The simple egg carton recipe certainly is the most economical and least "scientific" approach to take. You merely take some cardboard egg cartons, tear them into small pieces, soak them in water overnight and mash them in a blender; of course a strong arm and a whisk will also do the trick. Not only will you be recycling your old egg cartons and setting an example to your friends and family but also showing what is possible using a little imagination.

How to make Paper Mache - materials lists
Flour
Water Salt
Old Newspapers - brochures - junk mail or similar
A plastic container - metal may rust
A wooden spoon or stick for stirring

Tear the papers into strips and soak in a container of water. Reduce to pulp by tearing and breaking up by stirring with the wooden spoon or stick and then drain well. Squeeze out the excess water. Mix into a thick paste by adding enough flour and water, add some salt to prevent mold from growing as this will cause and extremely unpleasant odor, continue mixing until it forms into a thick clay like mixture. Use the same as clay, and stick to the sides of your balloon, or dish molds or by squishing it through a wire form, if that is what you are using as your base. Remember that as the paper mache dries there will be some shrinkage

Paper Mache Recipe

Paste - materials requirements -2
1/2 cup flour 3 tablespoons sugar - makes the paste more sticky
2 cups boiling water
2 cups cold water saucepan
Stick or wooden spoon
Mix together the flour and cold water (to prevent lumps forming) in the saucepan. Add boiling water and return to the boil. Remove from heat and stir in the sugar. The mixture will thicken as it cools down.

If any children are involved all cooking should be carried out by adults

Paper Mache Paste - materials requirements - 3

Hot water
Pinch of salt
1 1/2 cups wheat paste ( available at all good craft stores)
Mix the wheat paste according to the instructions provided. The mixture will thicken and harden as it cools. If you live in a particularly humid climate or decide to embark on this project on a humid day it may be a better option to try wall paper paste mixed with water (available at most hardware and home decorator retail stores), make up according to the manufacturer's instructions. This works extremely well and does not require any cooking. A little white woodworking glue added to the flour mixture is also a suitable option as this makes a stickier mixture.

Molds - Now to decide what to use for a mold.

Ideally for round shapes balloons do the job. They are cheap and make great molds for pumpkins and heads. Once the paper mache is completely dry, the balloon inside can be popped and easily removed, that is if you have left an opening somewhere. It certainly doesn't need to be removed if it does not effect the overall design of a sculpture.

Bowls and plates are another ideal source for molds. These can be used for a number of shapes and are particularly effective if used as the base of a basket. These baskets can then be painted and decorated and make an ideal container to hold silk flowers or for that annual Easter egg hunt.

If using bowls and plates as a mold you will need to use a releasing agent such as Vaseline, cooking or spray oil, dish-washing liquid or even cling-wrap if you don't mind a dimpled surface. Simply brush or spray on a thin coating and then apply the wet paper or paper mache pulp.

So what can you make? - This is only limited by your imagination.

Simply substitute paper mache for any clay or play-dough instructions and you will find an unlimited number of ideas that would suit this medium perfectly or simply create your own works of art.

Apart from the few we mentioned here there are also projects for schools or churches, like puppet-making and marionettes to perform the annual Christmas play. Not only can the kids make the puppets but they can also participate in the play. This would make an ideal long term project and provide many hours of learning and entertainment.

There are Pinatas for every celebration or occasion particularly weddings and birthday parties, they have become extremely popular in recent years.

And don't forget the best introduction to Paper Mache, the piggy bank.

We must not forget the amazing art forms and characters that master craftsmen make using this extremely simple and versatile medium.

Go and do the world a favor, learn how to make paper mache, and recycle paper creatively.

We found some great ideas for kids, some great characters made by the masters and check out this really cool video

How To Make Paper Mache