From the page: The newspaper still has plenty of stories to tell
Idea 3
Decorative papier-mâché
Papier-mâché was born in ancient China and became a craze in Victorian Europe, when trays, toys and boxes were molded from boiled paper. The magic lies in cellulose: wet and mixed with glue, it interlocks and, as it dries, forms a surface hard as lightweight wood.
What you need
- Newspaper sheets torn into small pieces
- Hot water
- White glue or cooked flour (homemade paste)
- A basin
- A base mold (balloon, jar, cup or cake silicone mold)
- Gouache or acrylic paint and brush
- Varnish or diluted glue to finish
How to make it
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1
Tear the newspaper into very small pieces and soak them in hot water for a few hours — the smaller the pieces, the smoother the final paste.
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2
Knead it with your hands until it becomes a paste and gradually mix in the glue, until you get a paste that sticks without dripping, because it is what binds the fibers as it dries.
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3
Cover the mold with the paste in half-centimeter layers, pressing firmly to eliminate air pockets that could crack during drying.
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4
Let it dry in a well-ventilated spot for 1 to 2 days, turning it halfway through so air circulates on both sides.
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5
Once dry, sand lightly with fine sandpaper and paint it however you like — sanding closes the loose fibers and leaves the surface ready for paint.
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6
Finish with a coat of varnish or diluted glue to waterproof and add shine.
Finishing touches
Create fruit bowls, pots, trinket holders or animal sculptures — over the balloon base you get perfectly rounded shapes. For a rustic texture, also glue visible strips of newspaper onto the last layer and paint over them with translucent paint.
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