Papier mache is a simple craft technique that can be used for making bowls, masks and even a Mexican pi$ata for party games. Children of all ages can join in and everything you need can be found in the home.
TECHNIQUE
Papier mache involves pasting scraps of paper into a mould and building up the layers until you get the required thickness. You can use wallpaper paste, but it often contains anti-fungal chemicals that could be harmful to young skin. Homemade flour paste is cheaper and safer.
You will need
scraps of newspaper or other waste paper; plain flour; whisk; Vaseline; moulds such as balls, balloons or flexible containers (perhaps a tin foil takeaway box or pliable plastic bowl)
What to do
Make a paste by whisking approximately 100g flour with 250ml of water.
Spread Vaseline over the mould, making sure that you cover any surface that might come into contact with the paper. Using plenty of flour mixture, paste strips of paper on to the mould. Once you have pasted on one layer, leave to dry and then repeat the process two or three times. You can slap on the paste with fingers or use a large paint brush. Add strength by criss-crossing the strips as you build up the layers. Make sure the papier mache is bone-dry before easing it out of the mould. If possible, put your creation in an airing cupboard to speed up drying.
Things to make
Bowls: Rest an old plastic ball in the opening of a small saucepan, to keep it steady. Draw a line around the middle of the ball with a permanent marker pen and spread Vaseline over the top half. Paste on layers of papier mache, stopping at the line so you have covered half the ball.
Once the bowl is dry you can create a base. Soak some thin strips of paper in the flour mixture and mould them on to the bottom of the bowl in a rough circular shape approximately 8cm across.
The ball technique results in a round bowl. To make different shapes, paste layers of paper into a flexible mould such as a tin foil takeaway container. Always cover the inside of the container with Vaseline so that the papier mache won't stick as it dries. When the bowl is dry, ease it away from the mould and decorate the surface.
Masks: Rest a round balloon on top of a saucepan. Use a permanent ink pen to mark out the shape of your mask on the balloon. Depending on the size of the balloon, you could use either the top or the side section. Cover the balloon with Vaseline and several papier mache layers to create a sturdy mask shape. Leave spaces for eyes and mouth, moulding the wet papier mache with the fingers to make smooth openings. When dry, pop the balloon to release the mask. Use PVA craft glue to stick on cut-out cardboard ears and wool for hair. Paint on other features and attach a length of elastic from one edge at the back of the mask to the other, to secure it to the wearer's head.
Pinatas: Pinatas are a traditional feature of Mexican festivities. They consist of a hollow papier mache shape filled with sweets. Blindfolded festival-goers bash it with a stick until it breaks, releasing a shower of goodies that everyone scrambles for.
Cover a round balloon with Vaseline and papier mache layers. Leave an opening at the thin end of the balloon so you can fill the pi$ata with sweets. When completely dry, pop the balloon and decorate the surface. Glue on cardboard tubes for legs and snouts, or cardboard wings or ears. Make a handle by sewing a length of wool from one side of the opening to the other (at least 3cm down from the neck). Hang the pinata from the ceiling or tie it to a long broom handle (hold the broom handle firmly) while each child takes a turn to bash at it with a stick. Make sure that everyone stands well clear!
DECORATING TECHNIQUES
Once your papier mache is dry, you can add various decorations. Cut coloured tissue paper into shapes and paste them on to the surface. Add pictures cut from magazines, or ready-made stickers - gold stars look pretty against the colours of the tissue paper.
Paint can be used to make a background colour or patterns or faces. Glaze the finished item with a solution of white PVA craft glue (about one part glue to two parts water). Even little ones can paint on PVA, and it will protect delicate decorations such as tissue, as well as giving the colours a gentle glow.
