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Jun 21 2008

Crafty Recipes: Paper Mache

Published by sirenavs at 10:00 am under Crafty Recipes

I love, I mean LOVE, Paper Mache but unfortunately, my kids do not feel the same. For some reason, they act like paper mache paste is an acid that once it gets on their skin it will begin to burn. I’m not sure why this is but the same kids that hate the feeling of paper mache will stick glue on their hands and pretend to peel it off like skin (okay, I admit to teaching them that one). These are the same kids that will also happily play in mud, sand, and clay (which by the way, coats the hands). It is strange to say the least but it basically means that I when it comes to making paper mache crafts, the kids will help me with everything except putting the paste wet papers onto the frame.

Still, I will whip out the paper mache every once in a while to get my hands dirty and with the hopes of enticing my kids to do so as well.

When it comes to paper mache, there are many different recipes out there but my favorite is the straight flour and water. I know there are some that call for glue but if I’m going to use glue, why not just use all of it. The flour, in my mind at least, is what makes the paper mache harden to the proper consistency so I will share the recipe that I use.

What you need:

  • 1and 1/2 cups of flour
  • 3 cups of water
  • Newspaper

Basically, the recipe is a 1 to 2 parts and it really is a no fuss recipe, which I prefer.

Directions:

  1. Combine the water and flour.
  2. Mix with a whisk until most (if not all) of the lumps are removed.
  3. Tear or cut the newspaper into 1″ strips.
  4. Dip the paper into the paper mache.
  5. Wipe off the excess paper mache into the bowl before attaching the strip to whatever you are working on.
  6. Repeat

And that is about it. For some great ideas on how to use paper mache, I suggest going to this site or to stick around on That Parent Place for future projects.

Sirena Van Schaik

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3 Responses to “Crafty Recipes: Paper Mache”

  1. # Nikolajon 23 Jun 2008 at 9:53 am

    Hey there Sirena,

    thank you for this tip. I’ve only tried it with kids once, and then we used glue. The one you also use to paste the paper against the wall. I’ve later read about the flour and water recipe, which would not be toxic but not glue so much either.

    But as you attest to it working, I’m going to try it once. (We do have a big bag of flour here that we don’t know what to do with anyway :D)

    Furthermore, the paste/glue is not the papier maché. The finished work is. Papier maché is french for ‘gnawed on’ paper, or beat up paper. My languages aren’t that good to correctly translate from french to english.

    Many greetings (from Belgium),
    Nikolaj

  2. # sirenavson 24 Jun 2008 at 4:42 pm

    Glad you liked the tip and thanks for the little history on Paper Mache, I knew that but I often just lump it together as one thing. :o)

    Thanks

    Sirena

  3. # paper mache recipeon 18 Jul 2008 at 7:48 pm

    [...] they act like paper mache paste is an acid that once it gets on their skin it will begin to burn…http://thatparentplace.com/2008/06/21/crafty-recipes-paper-mache/Children's Book Reviews - Publishers Weekly… nine-year-old Julia Gillian, is good at a number [...]

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