When you think of papier-mâché, you imagine crafting with children. However, the material made from paper scraps has a long tradition and has been known in Europe since the 15th century. Today, artistic figures, sculptures and decorations for interiors are still made from it. The main advantages of the material are that it is made from very inexpensive raw materials: cardboard or paper, water and paste. Everything is made into a pulp and then put into almost any shape. Crafting with paper mache is very popular with adults, but also with children, because it is an environmentally friendly craft material and the products are ultimately very light in weight.
Paper mache: a popular craft technique
The self-made figures simply dry in the air and then become very hard, almost like wood and plaster, but at the same time very light and stable. They can be sanded, drilled, painted, glued and imaginatively decorated. Due to these properties, paper mache is ideal for making decorative objects and also for creative activities with children.
Crafting with paper mache should not be confused with another crafting technique – the laminating technique. The two differ fundamentally in how the paper is processed. In one case, a paper pulp is produced and worked with in thick layers. When laminating, pieces of paper or strips of paper are glued and glued together.
Paste recipe
No special paste is required. Wallpaper paste or glue sticks completely adequately. Normal paste usually does not contain any harmful substances or chemicals that make it unsuitable for children. 125 g of normal wallpaper paste is mixed with 6 l of water and then allowed to swell according to the manufacturer's instructions. But you can also make paper mache paste yourself. Here are the required ingredients and the recipe:
- 2 cups of water
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- some salt
Pour the water into a saucepan and use a whisk to dissolve the flour. The mixture is briefly brought to the boil and constantly stirred. Add the cornstarch and continue stirring until a paste-like consistency is achieved. Allow the flour paste to cool and only then use it. To store it, it can be filled into a screw-top jar and placed in the refrigerator. Depending on the situation, a paste can also be made at home using flour and water or, optionally, just cornstarch and water. For the second variant you need 4 tablespoons of cornstarch, which must first be dissolved in cold water and then brought to the boil. Alternatively, you can use gummy bears instead of cornstarch. These must contain gelatin, otherwise they have no adhesive power. Heat around 10 gummy bears and 2 tablespoons of water in a water bath until a sticky mass forms that is easy to spread.
Making figures out of papier-mâché: This is how it works
If you have paste at hand, all you have to do is get the other materials for the paper mache ready and you can start crafting. All paper scraps, such as egg cartons, newspapers, napkins and toilet paper, can be recycled. They are torn into small pieces and even small children can help. If you want clean, even results, you can only use white paper, which can also be dyed in any color you like. Of course you can mix in several different papers.
All scraps of paper are placed in a sufficiently large container, such as a plastic dishwashing tub or bucket, and watered with warm water. All pieces of paper must come into contact with the water very well and remain that way for at least 10 - 12 hours, preferably overnight. The next day the paper should be soft enough to mix in the lanyard. You should stir the paste very well beforehand, regardless of which variant you have chosen. Stir in the paste and paper mixture until a thick, viscous mass forms.
The paper mache should not be dripping wet, but should be soft and therefore easy to shape. It should have stability and at the same time not flow or crumble apart. In the beginning you just need more practice and patience. If necessary, you can add a little flour to make the paper mache more supple. You can make really great things out of it. Baking and casting molds are also used here.
The finished products are allowed to dry at room temperature. After the surface is completely dry on all sides, you can add additional colors to the surface as desired.
Crafting with laminating technology
The laminating technique is characterized by shorter working and drying times than papier-mâché. No paper pulp is prepared for this, but rather the waste paper is simply shredded into pieces or strips. Whether you use normal paste or homemade paste doesn't matter for the end result. However, the second variant is more suitable for crafting with children. All that is needed is a form onto which it is laminated. However, the objects made using the laminating technique are not so durable.
Make your own paper mache shell and balloon
If you want to make a bowl yourself from recycled paper, you can use another bowl made of glass or porcelain or a balloon as a model. A release agent is required so that the object can later be easily released from the mold. Vaseline is very suitable for this. You simply blow out the balloon.
As with paper mache, it is worked layer by layer. The product can also be designed and embellished with colors. To make the objects more durable, they can be coated with clear varnish. There will soon be some great craft ideas to imitate.
Ideas for cool papier-mâché figures
With paper pulp you can create very different shapes and figures without any prior knowledge. That's why the material is very suitable for crafting with children, but also for sophisticated artistic work. The paper mass can be shaped freely as desired. Larger figures are of course more complex and it is advisable to work in layers. Each layer should be dry when applying the next. Standing alone figures need additional support, which is why a wire substructure is required.
Crafting with paper mache ideas – doll clothes
Make animals
Make your own paper
In this way, waste paper can be recycled and new paper can be made from the leftover paper. A sieve with a rectangular shape is required for this. It is quickly made from two picture frames of the same size and a mosquito net. The paper pulp should be distributed evenly over the net, press it firmly with the other frame and leave it there. After a few hours, when the paper is still damp but not wet, remove it from the net and let it dry completely to the side. In this way you can make several sheets from the paper pulp.
