The Craft of Paper Mache

Paper mache bowl with scalloped edges on an upright center form.

My First Paper Mache Project - Fruit and Bowl

My first project was making fruit and a bowl to hold the finished fruit as a centerpiece for the dining room table. The second project engaged the making of puppet heads. And the third project was creating props for a theater performance.

The first project introduced props of balloons and an old bowl wrapped in plastic. The second project called for making mush out of the paper strips. The props for theater use called for more advanced techniques and imagination.

Balloons are handy and easy to do as you cover the balloon to meet the requirements of the project. After completion just pop the balloon which releases the item.

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Fruits can be covered with the paper mache. The fruits are left to rot after which a slit is made in the paper mache to remove fruit. Cover the balloon halfway to mark the edges of the bowl. After it dries, pop the balloon and trim away the rough unwanted edges of the bowl.

Stabilize the bowl with a flat circular sheet of cardboard cut to fit the bottom of the bowl. Attach the cardboard piece to the bottom of the bowl and add paper mache strips until both the platform and the bowl are fastened together. After the paper mache has dried thoroughly finish the product with acrylic paints. For added security spray with a fix-it agent or varnish.

Paper mache recipe

Indoor:

• Mix equal parts of regular flour and water and the option of 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of salt to prevent mildew and mold. Mix until thin and smooth. Dip paper strips into this mix, pull through two fingers to remove excess liquid and apply to foundation. Smooth out any wrinkles with fingers or a brush. Some people prefer to use paper glue rather than flour.
• To prevent mildew and mold dry thoroughly between applications. 
• After the object is thoroughly dry, paint with acrylics and apply a fix-it agent or varnish. 

Outdoor
Mix wood glue and water. Apply strips to the foundation. After a thorough drying finish with exterior paint and protective coating against water and humidity. 

A simple hand puppet with paper mache head and hands.

A male marionette puppet made with paper mache.

Puppet Heads

Puppet heads are not made with the strips, but rather with wet papers beaten up to form a pulp. The head sizes will vary depending on the type of puppet. The puppet may be a finger, hand, or marionette type. 
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• Form a ball with the pulp and shape according to size and type of head the character is to have. 
• To make a hand puppet, Insert a toilet paper roll into the center of the shaped head to represent the neck. The tube serves as the finger holder for the operator to move the head as well as being the neck of the character.
• After the head as been shaped, form the eyes, nose, ears and mouth with fingers or a tool to fit the expected appearance of the puppet.


• Make a simple cloth cover to represent the garment. The sleeves of the garment will be operated with the operator’s finger and thumb, and the remaining cloth will hide the operator’s hand and arm. Many other types of puppet heads and their appendages are made with paper mache.
• Read more about puppets

Paper mache can be used for making many theater props a well as objects for every day use or home decor.

A home decor of a male and female doing a head stand with legs forming an overhead arch.