How to Make a Paper Mache Hamster

Finding craft projects to do can often be challenging, especially when you feel you've exhausted your bank of ideas. New and creative craft projects are also a way to introduce children to art and get their creative juices flowing.

Things You'll Need

• Bowl
• 1 cup flour
• 1 1/4 cups water
• Chicken wire
• Newspaper
• Paint
• String
• Paintbrushes
• Craft waterbase sealer

Instructions

1. Obtain a picture or a realistic model of a hamster so that you can refer to it during your creation of a paper hamster. Decide how small or large you would like your paper mache hamster to be before beginning work.

2. Look at your model hamster. Take the chicken wire and manipulate it in to a shape that resembles the head and body portion of your model hamster.

3. Make your paper mache mix by combining 1 cup of flour with 1 1/4 cups of water. The consistency of the mixture should resemble a thicker pancake or waffle mix. A runny, watery mixture is not good because it will not allow the newspaper to stick to the chicken wire. If you feel that the mixture is too watery, add a small amount of flour; if you feel that the mixture is too thick, add a small amount of water.

4. Cut or tear the newspaper into strips. Submerge each strip of newspaper into the bowl of the flour-water mixture. As you pull out each strip of newspaper, pass the strip between your index finger and middle finger to remove any excess mixture. Place each strip of newspaper on the chicken wire form you made, covering it completely. Use newspaper to form the hamster's feet and ears, and attach them to the form with wet newspaper strips. If you find it difficult to attach the feet with just wet newspaper strips, you may use a craft glue as well. Allow at least 24 hours for the covered chicken wire to dry. You can speed up the drying process by placing the form near a heat register or you can use a hair dryer set to moderately warm.

5. Paint your paper mache hamster with your desired colors. You may find that you need to do more than one coat of paint to thoroughly cover the newspaper print. If you would like to get extra-creative, instead of simply painting on the hamster eyes, you can use round black beads.

6. Apply the craft waterbase sealer to the whole hamster with a paintbrush after your painted hamster is thoroughly dry.

7. 

Tips & Warnings

• You can purchase a waterbase sealer at any craft store.

• If you would like to get more creative instead of simply painting on the hamster's eyes, you can use round black beads.

• Do not attempt to paint your project until it is thoroughly dry.

References

• Tipnut Paper Mache: Recipes and Tips
• Ultimate Paper Mache: Animal Sculpture Tips