- The term papier-mache comes from the French, meaning "chewed paper." It is a process that creates objects by shaping wet paper or wet paper pulp into desired forms, and then allowing it to dry. The hardened item can then be painted or decorated. One example would be covering an expanded balloon with papier-mache, layering the paper to make the object resemble a pig. After the papier-mache dries and air leaves the balloon, the pig can then be made into a hollow piggy bank by painting and cutting a coin slot into the top of the object.
- Over the centuries, there have been varying types of papier-mache recipes or processes. One basic papier-mache method is to tear newspaper into strips of paper, and then dip each strip into liquid starch. Excess starch is removed from the strip.Tthe wet strip is applied to the item that is being fashioned. Instead of starch, some crafters make a papier-mache paste, which consists of three parts water to one part flour, with a optional drop or two of wintergreen oil. Papier-mache can also be fashioned from a wet pulp. With this process, tear newspaper into 1-inch squares, and then mix with the papier-mache paste to create a wet pulp that can be molded, similar to clay.
- The history of papier-mache may have originated with the ancient Chinese. By the 1500s, the process was used to fashion doll heads. The French were crafting objects, such as trays and boxes from papier-mache, as early as the 1600s. In England, gilded papier-mache was an inexpensive alternative to wood carved furniture. A process was developed in the 1700s to make papier-mache panels, which were typically used in coaches. By the 1800s, England became well known for its papier-mache furniture. The use of papier-mache expanded and was used to fashion canoes in America during the 1800s.
- Papier-mache is an inexpensive and relatively easy way to create a variety of objects. It can be used to make toys, furniture, dolls, masks, art, boxes, sculptures, hollowed items (like piggy banks) and much more. Papier-mache is a popular craft project for the school room. Since most of the materials can be found in recyclables, it is an affordable craft project for the teacher to share with young children. Papier-mache can appeal to both child and adult. Projects can be simple or elaborate, determined by the talent of the crafter.
- Papier-mache provides a method to inexpensively create items that do not require a long lifespan. Parade floats, which typically are only used the day of a parade, can be fashioned from a papier-mache process, allowing the artisans to shape a large float without investing in costly material. Another item with a short lifespan is the party pinata, which can be made from papier-mache.
