How to Make Paper-Mache

Gather up the kids and spend some quality family time engaged in the timeless craft of paper- mache art. The possibilities for creating paper-mache masterpieces are endless, so whether it's a school assignment or just for fun, use these guidelines to get started.

Things You'll Need

• Paste of flour and water
• Strips of newspaper--torn, not cut
• Form for paper-mache sculpture
• Masking tape

Instructions

1. Tear lots of strips of newspaper. These are the "clay" of your sculpture, to be applied to the form you choose for your project.

2. Design a form. Use balloons, cardboard, chicken wire, a group of boxes, toilet paper or paper towel tubes--or anything else you like. Arrange the various objects into the desired shape then secure them with masking tape.

3. Make your paper-mache paste using a mixture of flour and water. The easiest paste recipe calls for one part flour to two parts water. Stir out all the lumps and add a couple of tablespoons of salt to prevent mold.

4. Dip one strip of newspaper at a time into your paste, running it through your fingers to remove any excess.

5. Place the newspaper strip onto your form and press it to lie smoothly.

6. Continue placing your strips of newspaper onto your form, overlapping each as you go, until you have completely covered it. Let it dry for about twenty-four hours.

7. Repeat steps 4-6 to create more layers on your form. Add at least three layers--this is the time when you will be doing the "sculpting." As before, let the newspaper dry for twenty-four hours between layer applications.

8. Paint your masterpiece and decorate it with ribbons, beads or any other decorative touch you can dream up.

Tips & Warnings

• Allow each layer of newspaper to dry before adding another.