How to Make Papier Mache Caskets

Use newspaper to make a papier mache casket and decorate your home.

Although the name papier mache derived from French, the craft originated in China. The Chinese used papier mache to make helmets in the Han Dynasty. The process was eventually patented by Henry Clay in the 1700s because his papier mache had the strength of wood. Papier mache caskets make great decorations for Halloween or Cinco de Mayo. All you need to do is make a mold, cover it in papier mache and decorate it.

Things You'll Need

• 1 cup flour
• Microwave
• Stirrer
• Bowl
• Rectangular plastic container with lid
• Newspaper
• Acrylic paint
• Paint brush

Instructions

1. Pour 1 cup of flour into a cup. Pour 1 cup of tap water into the cup. Stir the mixture until there are no lumps.

2. Heat 2 cups water in a microwave for 30 seconds, Pour 2 cups of hot water and the mixture from Step 1 into a bowl. Stir the mixture with a stirrer and let it cool for two minutes. The mixture is the paste.

3. Flip a rectangular plastic container and lid over on a level surface. The rectangular container is the casket base mold. The lid is the casket lid mold.

4. Dip strips of newspaper with the approximate dimensions of 1-inch by 6 inches into the paste. Soak the strips in the paste and cover the outside of the casket base and casket lid. Continue until there are approximately five coats of newspaper around the casket base and casket lid molds. Let the strips and paste dry for 24 hours.

5. Remove the papier mache structures from the rectangular container and lid molds.

6. Decorate the outside of the papier mache structures. Paint the outside of the papier mache casket base and casket lid, using acrylic paint and a paint brush. Let the paint dry for 24 hours.

Tips & Warnings

• Cover the work area with a plastic sheet or newspaper before working on the project.

References

• Papier Mache; History of Papier Mache; Jackie Hall; September 2002
• Papier Mache; Getting Started With Papier Mache; Jackie Hall; September 2002