You can make all kinds of crafty items with paper mache (not just the school volcano project): Decorative paper mache masks, bowls, ornaments, Halloween, Christmas, Easter decorations, you name it–you can likely make it with paper mache. It’s a very economical craft and with a little practice, you can create some pretty amazing pieces! Here’s a bunch of info to get you started…
Paper Mache (Flour Paste Recipe)
1 cup Flour (2 parts)

1 1/2 cups Water (3 parts)

1/2 TBS salt (optional)

1/4 cup white glue (optional)

Directions:
•Mix the flour and water together with a wire whisk or fork until it is smooth and you have the consistency you want, should be similar to a heavy cream or a cream soup. If you want to thicken the paste, add flour. If you want to thin it, add a bit of water.

•Mix in the salt.
•Mix in the glue (if adding).
•The salt will help preserve the paste and prevent it from mold while the glue will help strengthen the paste.
Paper Mache (Glue Paste Recipe)
White glue (2 parts)
Water (1 part)

Directions:
•Mix the glue and water together until thoroughly mixed. Use popsicle sticks or wooden chopsticks to stir the recipe, they can be thrown out when done.

Tips:
•Watch the paste while building your project, the glue and water can separate during the process and may need to be stirred again.

•Mix in old plastic containers with lids, you can pop the lid on and the glue will keep for a few days.

Paper You Can Use To Make Paper Mache

•Newspaper (most common)

•Tissue paper

•Paper towels

•Printer paper (or any sheets of regular paper)

•Magazine & catalogue pages (the glossy paper can be more tricky to work with)

Tip: Tear the paper into strips of all shapes and sizes, they don’t need to be uniform in size

Base Material Ideas
Before you can begin applying your strips of paper with paste, you need a basic form or base to build on. Here are some materials that work well:
•Balloons (can attach balloons together with masking tape to get the basic form you want)

•Aluminum Foil (crumple and shape as needed)

•Chicken Wire (shape as needed, mostly used for large projects like school volcanoes)

•Crumpled Newspaper (basic shape secured with masking tape)

•Small cardboard boxes (for square or rectangular projects)

Tip: To remove the base material from inside the dried project, make a slit at the back and remove materials (or pop the balloon). Then cover the slit with a fresh layer of paper mache and allow to dry before proceeding with paint and varnish or sealant

How To Paper Mache
The process couldn’t be simpler to make a paper mache object, the hardest part is creating the shape the way you want it. After choosing your base, here are the steps involved with paper mache:
•Dip a strip of paper in the paste covering it completely with the paste, then remove the excess glue/paste by running the strip between your thumb and forefinger.

•Lay the strip on the base and smooth it out so that there are no air bubbles and the strip of paper is flat against the form, smooth out the edges with your fingers.

•Add the next strip, overlapping some on the previous strip. This helps build strength to the object as well as prevents any part of the base from being uncovered.

•Cover the base completely with one layer, then leave to dry before adding the next layer. Three to four layers are usually more than enough.

•When the piece has dried completely, you can remove the base materials (see tip above) and stuff it well with plastic bags or crumpled newspaper to give the object some weight. This will help make it stable as well as add some strength (so a bump or drop won’t dent it).

The project is now ready for paint and embellishment!