who do you do paper mache?

Answer 1

The things you can make with paper mache are only limited by your imagination. As paper mache dries, it hardens over the mold you have made. You can make puppet heads, Christmas ornaments, piñatas, dolls, dollhouses, boxes, sculptures or bowls. The final dried product can be painted, decoupaged or decorated however you please.
Make a form from wire, wadded newspaper, stuffed paper bags, or balloons. For a flat piece, such as a dollhouse or box, you can use a piece of cardboard. Tear newspaper into strips. Narrower strips work best for a rounded mold and larger strips are good for flat or rectangular shapes. Choose one of the following recipes to make the paste. Dip strips into paste, coating completely, squeezing out excess paste with your fingers. Use the strips to cover your pre-made form. If you overlap the strips, your finished product will look smoother. Allow each layer to dry before adding another layer. Cover your form with at least 2 layers.

Recipe for Paper Mache Paste:

Flour
Salt
Water
Newspapers
Non-rusting container
Wooden-spoon

Soak papers in water in container. Reduce to pulp by tearing and stirring with spoon. Drain. Mix in thick paste of flour, water, and a little salt. Stir until paper mache begins to feel like clay. Use as clay. It will squish through wire forms. There will be some shrinking as mache dries.

Answer 2

We have fewer and fewer newspapers every year because their habitat is being lost at a never before seen rate. It's kind of like wearing real fur, since the newspapers are all disappearing and there are Michael's Craft Supply stores all over the place paper mache has become less and less popular. Why slaughter newspapers for school projects with all the new and improved craft ideas and materials that don't involve newspaper slaughter or any work or creativity at all are readily available for three times the price? I would rather do craft projects naked than slaughter news papers to make ugly pinatas.

Answer 3

I used to make puppet heads with paper mache when I was younger. It was easier to have a Styrofoam ball or wadded up paper, or foil as a base to apply the "goop". Then I would put it on in layers after one layer has dried a bit. After it was sculpted and dried I would use acrylic paint for the face. Then I would sew up some creation for the body...This is making me want to do this again! Thanks for the question.

Answer 4

This is one of my favorite mediums to work with. There are tons of things you can use to make papier-mâché.
Here is a short list to give you ideas:
ribbons
wrapping paper
newspaper
photos
fabric
hair [I know it sounds gross, but the affect is great. Just be sure to use gloves!]
plastic wrap
string
plants [grasses or clover work well]

Sometimes a base, or structure is needed: multiple objects can also be used. Try any of the following:
Chicken wire
old window screen
plumbing
cardboard
wire
or wood
painter's tape/ masking tape

For the messy part. Many types of adhesives can be used:
fabric glue
wood glue
good old Elmer’s glue
starch
wall-papering glue
Warning: DO NOT TRY TO USE SUPER GLUE.
Super glue sticks quickly, but creates bonds that will weaken the material you are using. Fabric and similar materials will snap in half.

Have fun with your project. Try making things that are special to you. Your pet, a friend, or make some monsters.

Answer 5

paper and starch