If you’ve always wanted to try crafting with papier-mâché but never actually learnt the basics, this how-to guide on papier-mâché ideas is exactly what you need to get started.
Papier-mâché, sometimes spelled paper mache, is one of those DIY craft techniques many of us have heard about, but never actually tried. The pulped paper itself – simply strips of paper bonded together by a glue paste – is very easy to make, and once you’ve mastered the basics, the sky really is the limit when it comes to papier-mâché ideas.
Before you can let your papier-mâché ideas run wild, you need to learn its two basic fundamentals. Fear not, as these are simple to get to grips with.
- Paper. The first ingredient you’ll need to make papier-mâché is paper. Old newspaper is always the best choice, as it is cheap, porous, flexible and fairly strong.
- Tear. Once you have your newspaper, tear it into strips, rather than cutting it. Tearing creates a softer edge that enable each strip to blend better into one another when layered on top of each other. Cut strips create a sharp line.
- Paste. The second ingredient is glue paste. Simple pour some white glue or wood glue into a larger mixing bowl and add water to make it into a more liquid paste that will soak into your newspaper strips. A 2:1 glue to water ratio is ideal.
Now you know how to create your glue paste and paper strips, you’re ready to learn how to create papier-mâché using a balloon as a mold. This can then be used as a basis for papier-mâché ideas for animals, papier-mâché ideas for Halloween, papier-mâché ideas for Christmas and many more.
- Prepare. Tear your newspaper strips, mix your glue paste and inflate a balloon.
- Soak. Pour your glue paste into a smaller tray or shallow container. Dip a newspaper strip into the paste and let it soak.
- Glue. Place the balloon on top of a large bowl or small bucket to prevent it from rolling. Shake any excess paste off the strip and glue it to the side of the balloon. Use your fingers or a paint brush to smooth out the edges of the strip.
- Repeat. Glue more strips to the balloon, allowing them to overlap as you proceed. When you’ve covered its entire surface, smooth out any wrinkles with your fingers or a paintbrush.
- Layer. Make a second and third layer, each covering the entire surface of the balloon.
- Dry. Leave your papier-mâché to dry, either in the bowl or bucket and turning every few hours, or using the knotted end of the balloon to clip it to a clothesline indoors.
- Pop. It will take around two to three days for the papier-mâché to completely dry. When it is, take hold of the knotted end of the balloon, use a pin or sharpened pencil to pop it and remove.
Using paint and other accessories, you can now turn your papier-mâché balloon into anything from a hot air balloon or Halloween pumpkin to an Easter bunny or egg. Alternatively, you can place the strips on a sort of skeleton made of wire mesh and create casts for any object you can think of.
