How To Paper Mache

Here's How:

1. Create your paper mache form (find directions for crating a form here) and prepare your desired paper mache paste (find recipes for paper mache paste here).
2. Tear newspaper into strips.
3. Dip one piece of newspaper at a time into prepared paper mache paste.
4. Hold the strip over the paste bowl and run it through your fingers to squeeze off excess paste.
5. Stick the newspaper strip over the form you want to paper mache, and smooth it down with your fingers.
6. Completely cover your creation with a layer of newspaper strips. They should all be over-lapping.
7. After one layer is applied, let it dry about 24 hours.
8. Add another layer of newspaper strips and let dry another 24 hours.
9. Repeat this process until you get the desired effect, but you should have at least three layers.
10. Paint, decorate and proudly display your creation!

Tips:

1. Tear the newspaper into strips -- do not cut it! Torn strips lay smoother.
2. Be generous when dipping the newspaper strips into the paste -- you want each piece thoroughly saturated!
3. Let each layer dry completely before adding another.
4. You can use the paper mache pulp recipes I shared here to add extra detail to your form before, during of after you add the paper mache layers.

What You Need:

• Paper Mache Paste
• Newspaper
• Paper Mache Form