Paper Mache - Getting Started

Paper mache is a wonderful and versatile medium you can use to create all kinds of treasures. The super thing about it is that you probably already have a lot of the things you'll need kicking around the house.

The first thing you'll need is a large flat surface to work on. A kitchen table would be ideal. Now, I love working on the floor so if you're comfortable sitting down there, it's as good a place as any to create.

It's great fun but it can be a messy business so it's a good idea to cover your work surface with sheets of newspaper. Or, even better, a plastic table cloth, if you have one.

I also like to keep a bowl of water and an old towel handy just to rinse my hands if I get too sticky. You might also want to wear an apron or some old clothes and, if you have sensitive skin, gloves are useful for handling the pastes and decorating materials.

You'll also need some paper, some glue or paste and some sort of armature or mould to create your project on. Newspaper works really well for most projects but you can use just about anything you like.

If you are using a precious object as a mould for your project, you will need a release agent to keep it safe.

And finally, you'll want to decorate your finished project. You can use more or less anything for this. The possibilities are limited only by your imagination.


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