Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Things You’ll Need:
- Old newspaper or newsprint paper
- White glue, diluted with a little water
- Modeling clay
- Craft knife
- Masking tape
- Acrylic or enamel paint
- Cling plastic wrap
- Plastic adhesive tape
Step1
Shape modeling clay into a heart mold.
Shape a piece of modeling clay into a heart. This will be your mold for the papier-mache´.
Step2
Wrap the clay heart with a plastic sheet.
Tightly wrap the heart-shaped clay with a piece of cling plastic wrap. Use a plastic adhesive tape to keep it in place. This step will make it easier to remove the clay mold from the papier-mache´.
Step3
Rip up newsprint paper.
Rip up some newspaper or newsprint (the packing paper used to wrap glassware at the store) into small short strips.
Step4
Layer several layers of paper on the clay mold.
Dip each strip in the diluted white glue and stick it onto the plastic-wrapped clay heart. Stick about five layers for a good and strong structure.
Step5
Let the papier-mache´ dry completely. This may require several hours, maybe overnight.
Step6
Slice the papier-mache´ heart open.
Use a craft knife to slice the figure along its flatter plane, creating two halves.
Step7
Remove the clay mold.
Scoop out the modeling clay. You can reuse this clay to make more hearts.
Step8
Tape the heart halves together.
Tape the two papier-mache´ halves back together with masking tape.
Step9
Let the papier-mache´ dry completely.
Paste a few more layers of paper strips to achieve your desired size, and let dry.
Step10
Paint the heart with multiple coats of primer and your desired color.
Paint the papier-mache´ heart with two or more coats of white paint to prime it, and finish with whatever color you desire. Dry according to the paint manufacturer's instructions.
Step11
Embellish hearts as desired.
Embellish the hearts by pasting your favorite decal or by painting decorative designs.
Step12
Use papier-mache´ hearts as decor.
Use the papier-mache´ hearts to decorate your living space, add accents to a Valentine or Christmas wreath, or give away as tokens on special "heartfelt" occasions.