Paper Mache Recipe

The paper mache recipe has been around for a long time, centuries actually. There are many ways to make paper mache. Basically, if you mix flour and water, you will be able to soak newspaper, drape it onto some kind of form, and make a wonderful craft.

I've tried and tweeked many recipes; I find the best recipe is smooth, light and easy to work with. Try this one:

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups cold water
• 2 cups boiling water
• 3 Tbsp white sugar
• 3 Tbsp Salt




Directions:

1. In a large bowl, mix together the flour and 2 cups of cold water.

2. In a large sauce pan, boil 2 cups of water. Once you see the water boiling, add the cold water/flour mixture to the sauce pan and bring it to a boil again.

3. Remove from heat and add the 3 Tbsp of sugar and 3 Tbsp of salt.

4. Let the mixture cool down, once it does it's ready to use. Transfer it into a big bowl and you're ready to go!



For a fun paper mache project check out our Paper Mache Bowl craft!

How to do Paper Mache

1. Once you have made your paste you will need to decide on a form for your project. A form can be anything that the paste will stick to. Balloons make good forms, as does wire.

2. Tear strips of newspaper. The length and width of each strip depends on your project. Smaller projects will need small strips of paper and larger projects can use bigger strips. Don't make your strips wider than 4", and keep in mind that thinner strips work well around corners and tight spaces.

3. Dip your strip into the paste and use your fingers to 'milk' the excess back into the bowl. OR, dip your fingers into the paste and run them up and down the strip, completely saturating it. Lay your strip onto the form, smoothing out any wrinkles.

4. Over lap your strips slightly as you go. You can put a maximum of four layers of newspaper on your form before you have to stop and let it dry completely. Once it is dry you can add more layers and continue until your are happy with your project.

5. You can paint your project with any type of paint. Acrylic craft paint works well and is fairly inexpensive.

Tips for Doing Paper Mache

• Salt is added to the recipe to prevent molding. If you are making a project that doesn’t need to ‘last’, like a piñata, you can omit the salt.

• Do not cut the paper. Your project will look better when the newspaper is torn along its natural grain.

• Tear strips of white computer paper to use as your last layer; this will make painting your project much easier!

Check out this neat homemade Monster Truck Race Track made completely from this paper mache recipe. The form is made from a piece of plywood, covered with chicken wire. It just goes to show that you can make so many things from paper mache, the possibilities are endless!

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