How to Paper Mache
AKA – titles still not getting any better
Yesterday I mentioned the paper mache lanterns I made for Annie’s Tangled-themed birthday party. Several people told me that they didn’t know how to paper mache, so I thought I’d post a quick tutorial. It is super-duper easy, cheap, and fun to do!
Decide on the shape you want. You can use a balloon to make a circle (or 3 balloons to make a Mickey Mouse head!). Since I wanted lanterns, I used an oatmeal container for my ‘mold’.
I started by taping a piece of parchment paper to the outside:
Next, you’ll make a mixture of flour, corn starch, and slightly warm water. Equal parts of the dry ingredients, and then slowly add enough water to make a thin gravy-like consistency.
For the lanterns, I used torn strips of white paper because I wanted them to be transparent. If you will be painting your creation, feel free to use newsprint.
Dip a strip of paper into the paste, and use your fingers to slide off the excess flour mixture.
Gently press the strip onto your mold
And then repeat, with a slight overlap of edges.
Once you have one solid layer, allow to dry. This can be done overnight, or if you’re in a hurry, with the aid of a hair dryer.
For my lanterns, I used only 2 layers. For a pinata, I’d recommend 3-5 layers, depending on how strong your little batters will be.
Once the first layer is dry, add your second layer. To make the Tangled lanterns pictured yesterday, I then pressed a layer of pale yellow tissue paper onto the damp outside of the mold.
And then gently slide off of the container
to finish drying while you work on the next one.
I used this same method to make the pinata, and then topped with a cone shape to resemble the tower.
Pardon my creative mess in the background.
And there you have it – easy-peasy paper mache!
I’m going to be using this same method to create larger-than-life gumdrops for Catie’s Candyland party in a few weeks. Stay tuned!
Tags: paper mache, paper mache tutorial, Tangled lanterns, Tangled pinata
Crafty Stuff | Heather March 24, 2011
Facebook comments:
By Kris B, March 24, 2011 @ 10:52 am
You are so creative Heather! I haven’t done this kind of project in a long time, but think I will add it into our solar system study to make planets.
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Heather Reply:
March 24th, 2011 at 4:49 pm
Yes! They would make great planets! I don’t know why I hadn’t thought of that before, but Annie is so into the solar system right now – she would love a project like that. Thanks for the idea!
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