brainsterIf you were signed in, you could rate this activity and add it to one of your lists.
Paper-Mache
Create sculptures out of paper
Papier-mâché (French for 'chewed-up paper'), sometimes called paper-maché, is a construction material that consists of pieces of paper, sometimes reinforced with textiles, stuck together using a wet paste (e.g. glue, starch, or wallpaper adhesive). The crafted object becomes solid when the paste dries.
A form of papier-mâché had existed in China for hundreds of years until a much stronger version (including glue) was patented by Henry Clay of Birmingham England in 1702. It was a common technique for making dolls in the 19th century, before plastics became available. Piñatas are an example, as is one of the Papal Tiaras. Constructing papier-mâché is a common craft used to entertain children.
Russian papier-mâché
In Russia a variety of utilitarian as well as decorative objects have been fashioned from papier-mâché since the late 18th century. These items include wall plaques, trays, boxes, salt cellars, desk sets and paper knives, storage jars for tea and tobacco, album covers, beads cases, bracelets and brooches.
After the entire surface of the finished blank has been sanded smooth, several coats of black lacquer are applied to each article. It is then given to the artists for decoration. Highly complex and finely detailed miniature scenes are painted onto even the smallest black lacquered object.
Russian lacquer art on papier-mâché has flourished for well over 200 years and has achieved the transition from folk art to fine art.
Simple recipe for papier-mâché
Materials
1. 2½ cups flour
2. 2 cups water
3. Large Mixing Bowl
4. Newspaper cut into long, thin strips.
5. Something to put the papier-mâché on
Procedure
1. Mix materials in large bowl using either hands or large fork. Mix until the substance is a liquidy paste.
2. Now you can dip the strips of Newspaper into the paste and put it on whatever you want to cover, like a ball.
3. If you'd like, you can decorate your artwork with paint, markers, etc. once it's finished drying.
For an alternate and easy papier-mâché, simply use liquid starch in place of the recipe above. Be sure you skim the excess off of the paper strips before you lay them flat, and don't use more than four layers. Overlap your paper.
Source: Wikipedia
Flags: Very Short (0-60 mins), Short (1-3 hours), Medium (3-6 hours), Long (6-24 hours), Very Long (1+ days), Solo, With a Friend, Children, Teens, Adults, Seniors, Indoors, At Home, Morning, Day, Night, Sunny, Snowy, Rainy