How to Make Foolproof Paper Mache

Who doesn't have a memory of making a paper mache craft as a child? Yes, paper mache has been around this long for a reason: it's easy and inexpensive to make, and its uses are endless.

The name paper mache, or papier-mâché, literally translates to "chewed up paper" in French, probably because that's a good way to describe what it looks like. But the finished product is anything but!

To start, you'll need to make the "paste." A common paper mache recipe is to mix two cups of white glue with one cup boiling water and stir until the mixture is smooth and creamy. (Make sure to cover your work area with a sheet of newspaper and wear old clothes, as paper mache can be a bit messy.)

Next you'll need a mold to shape your paper mache project. Everyday household items like cardboard toilet paper rolls, pots, or soda cans make good molds. Once the paste is ready, gather a stack of old or recycled newspaper, stationery or scrap paper. Cut the paper into one-inch strips. Dip the paper into the paste, making sure it is fully coated, but not dripping. Then apply it to your mold, smoothing out the wrinkles as you go. Keep adding layers, as many as four, and allow the project to dry completely. Once it's dry, take a sharp box cutter and cut the project around the edges or down the middle, removing it from the mold. If you cut down the middle, glue the two sides of your project together using more strips of paper and paste, until the seam becomes invisible. Once the project has dried, paint it with watercolor or acrylic paint and you've got a one of a kind piece of paper mache art.

For some of our favorite projects, try this paper mache mask from FamilyFun and HGTV's paper mache crafts.