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Makepaper machewith kids with all-natural ingredients.
you might then use it to create all sorts of cute projects for kids and teens.
Doesnt paper mache just take you right back to your childhood?
Its going to be messy right from the get-go.
Go ahead and start ripping your paper into smaller pieces before putting them in a bowl.
you’re able to definitely use newspapers, as well.
Step 2
While youre shredding the paper, put a kettle on.
Its not just to make yourself a cup of tea, although you definitely should.
Youre going to pour boiling water over your shredded paper and let it sit for a couple of hours.
The hot water helps with breaking down the cellulose, and your paper will get all soft and squishy.
Dont skip this step, though.
When you let the paper sit in the boiling water, your dough will end up more pliant.
Also, if you use newspaper, then you will have to let it sit in the water overnight.
Newspaper is much thicker and needs more time to soften and for the cellulose to break down.
You will either love the squelching sounds youll hear, or you wont.
I get a kick out of it!
Stop pulping the paper when it looks something like this.
Step 4
Its time to strain your pulp and drain all that water.
Place a cheesecloth over a big bowl and carefully pour your paper pulp into the cloth.
Gather the ends and squeeze the excess water out of the pulp into the bowl below.
If you think youve squeezed enough, just do it again, just to be extra sure!
Break the pulp into little pieces and put them into a bowl.
If I didnt know better, Id say it looks an awful lot like ricotta or cottage cheese.
Grab another bowl and add your white flour to it.
you could just as easily use cornstarch which will be just as effective, if not more so.
Stir your water innot all at once, but in parts so that the flour doesnt turn lumpy.
Your paste should be smooth and sticky but not runny.
You will need to cook this paste, so to speak.
Place the contents in a saucepan with the heat on low.
You have to keep stirring the paste constantly, or it will burn.
Alternatively, you might pop it into a microwave.
Repeat this a few times till the paste thickens.
Step 7
Spoon the paste onto the pulp.
This part is my absolute favorite: rolling and kneading the dough.
But first, roll up your sleeves; its going to get messy.
If your dough is wet, just sprinkle a little flour over, and keep rolling.
If its too dry, just a few drops of water should help soften it.
Kids, in particular, will love this part of the activity!
What Can I Make from Paper Mache?
Theres absolutely no limit to what you’ve got the option to do with paper mache.
If you have a chocolate or candy molk just press the dough into it and flatten it out.
Can You Use Hairdryer to Dry Paper Mache?
Yes you might use a hairdryer to dry your paper mache.
However, you should turn the heat setting down to low, or your mache will scorch.
Remember, paper mache is pretty flammable!
Besides, using a hairdryer might not dry the paper mache evenly, either.
Smaller pieces will dry up faster, while bigger ones will definitely take longer.
Once dry, you’ve got the option to go ahead and paint it.
you’re able to store the dough in the fridge for up to a week, as well!
