CoolGlobes for CoolKids Contest
Paper mache is a great recycle craft!
Make your own globes using recycled papers. You can use newspapers, magazines, stationary, gift wrap, or any paper products you have left over. We have included three recipes below for making your own paper mache as well as a fourth, detailed, step-by-step set of instructions for those of you that have not used paper mache before. We have also included information on Mod Podge which is the pre-made paste. Balloons or old balls are particularly good for making projects that you would like to be shaped like a globe. Let your creativity and imagination be your guide!
Paper Mache Recipes:
Recipe 1/ Ingredients: flour, water, paper
- Stir three parts water into one part flour until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- To make the paste last longer, add a few drops of oil of Wintergreen. (optional) You can buy this oil at a drugstore.
- Stir well and the paste is ready to use.
- Now you need paper - strips of newspaper work well!
- Dip each piece of paper in the liquid mixture and apply it one piece at a time to form your shapes
Recipe 2/ Ingredients: wallpaper paste, water, paper
- Buy some wallpaper paste at a hardware store.
- Mix one part wallpaper paste with three parts water.
- Stir well and the paste is ready to use.
- Now you need paper - strips of newspaper work well!
- Dip each piece of paper in the liquid mixture and apply it one piece at a time to form your shapes.
Recipe 3/ Ingredients: glue, water, paper
- Mix two parts white glue with one part warm water.
- Stir well and the paste is ready to use.
- Now you need paper - strips of newspaper work well!
- Dip each piece of paper in the liquid mixture and apply it one piece at a time to form your shapes.
Detailed Step-by-Step Instructions
Materials Needed:
- Newspapers, magazines
- Flour
- Water
- Mixing bowl
- Tempera paint
- Materials for form: such as balloons, old playground or soccer balls or styrofoam balls
Directions:
- Tear long newspaper strips about one to two inches wide.
- Use your form such as the balloon.
- Blow up the balloon or put crumbled newspaper in a brown bag and shape the bag.
- In a mixing bowl, combine water and flour until you have a paste that's thin enough to coat the paper strips. Experiment first with some small quantities. If the mixture is too thin, the paper will turn into a soggy mush so you should add more flour.
- Dip the paper into the paste and use your index finger and middle finger to act like a squeegee to run down the strip of paper.
- Place the strip on your form, crisscrossing to make overlapping layers.
- When you are done, place in a warm, dry area to dry.
- Once the ball id completely dry, you may begin to decorate!
- Good luck!
Modge Podge Information:
There is a product called Mod Podge which can be purchased at most craft stores for about $5.00. It comes in a matte finish (yellow label) and a glossy finish (orange label), either of which will work well. It is used just like paper mache but is quicker, easier and less messy. It is a very good option for a classroom if paper mache is either too time consuming and/or messy.
