Make papier mache / pulp - recipe and instructions

• Cardboard mesh layer by layer
• Recipe for pulp

Pappmaschee is a versatile crafting material. Be it figures, decorative elements or even lanterns - with papier-mâché you can realize many creative handicrafts. In the following instructions, you will learn how to make your own pulp, also known as pulp. With the right recipe you have the necessary tools for a lot of crafting ideas.

Pappmaschee is not without reason such a popular material. With simple means can be designed solid yet malleable objects. In addition, the materials needed to count on one hand and are very cheap.

For children, handicrafts with paper mache is a special fun. By kneading and processing with your own fingers children learn haptic skills and feel a lot of fun.

There are two ways to approach the manufacture and processing of paper mache. Either you work according to the classical method by applying newsprint and wallpaper paste layered on top of each other or you make a cardboard pulp, the so-called pulp. In the following we describe both variants in detail.

Cardboard mesh layer by layer

You will probably know this method for making papier-mâché from your childhood. The tinkering with newspaper, glue and a balloon is one of the most popular craft work for children. The balloon serves as a framework and, thanks to its round shape, can be the basis for many different objects - whether a round piggy bank, a lantern or the body for a pinata. You need for this paper mache:

• wallpaper paste
• brush
• balloon
• newsprint

Step 1: First, make sure you have a covered and large work surface, so that nothing goes wrong.

Step 2: Then tear newspaper into small pieces - 4 cm to 5 cm pieces should be enough. So you do not run out of chips later, you better prepare a little more. With sticky fingers, it can be difficult to handle later.

Step 3: Now mix water and wallpaper paste, according to the manufacturer's instructions, to a homogeneous mass. The paste should not be too liquid, but not too firm. The best is a good spreadable consistency.

Step 4: Then blow the balloon to the desired size. The opening is then firmly knotted.

Step 5: Now is pasted. Coat the balloon completely with a layer of wallpaper paste. Once that's done, place the pieces of newspaper paper piece by piece on the balloon. The individual snippets you should always overlap something that the balloon is no longer visible. The place with the knot release. There, the balloon is removed later.

Then pass one more well with the paste. So continue now. Always cover the entire balloon with a layer of newspaper before starting the next shift. In this way, everything is even.

Two to three layers of newsprint should be enough to make the construct stable enough.

Step 6: Now you need a little patience before you can continue working. Let the gelatinized balloon dry for 3 to 5 days, or even better for a week.

Step 7: After everything has dried well, you can pierce the balloon and let the air escape. The newspaper and the paste have now formed such a hard layer that the shape of the balloon remains.

Now you can process the papier-mâché as you wish - create a piggy bank, a pinata, a lampshade or a lantern. You see, with this method for the production of papier-mâché, many, colorful and decorative things can be realized.

What you can do with Pappmaschee, you will learn in these crafting instructions:

• //www.zhonyingli.com/pappmache-figuren-basteln/
• //www.zhonyingli.com/laterne-selber-basteln/
• //www.zhonyingli.com/pinata-basteln/
• //www.zhonyingli.com/lampenschirm-selber-machen/

Recipe for pulp

The paperboard pulp that we now present is, in contrast to the classical method, more stable. The finished object is almost as hard as wood after drying out and can then be processed similarly.

If you want to make pulp, you also do not need much:

• newsprint
• wallpaper paste
• water
• cooking pot
• mixer
• Disposable gloves

Step 1: At the beginning you need a decent amount of shredded newsprint. After drying, the pulp shrinks slightly, so make sure you have plenty of newspaper. Just tear the newspaper with your fingers in small pieces. Do you have a shredder, this can take over the crushing for you.

Step 2: Now the paper is soaked. Mix it in a bowl or directly in the saucepan with enough water. Hot water softens the paper even faster.

Step 3: Then mix and chop the water-paper mixture with the blender so that everything is well mixed together. You can also thicken the pulp with more paper if it seems too fluid. Now and then also knead the mixture with your hands to test the consistency.

Step 4: Now the pulp is boiled up. At over 100 degrees, the porridge should simmer for about ten to 20 minutes. However, if you do not want to cook, you will be able to dissolve the snippets with just hot water. When cooking, however, this process is definitely faster and the mass becomes more homogeneous.

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Step 5: When the cooking is complete and the porridge cooled down, the mass is separated from the remaining water. Put the pulp in your hands and push out the water.

Step 6: Then add the wallpaper paste to the mash. How much you need from the powder, you can decide at will. As soon as you knead the pulp, you will notice for yourself whether more paste is needed. Mix the porridge and paste evenly and the pulp is ready.

Now the porridge can be used for crafting. The mass can now form well and is very stable in the dry state. This papier-mâché can later be painted as well as the material from the first method.

Tip: If you want to store the pulp, put it in a food bag in the fridge. For repairs, you will have something available the next day. The paste loses its adhesive power, so you should add some powder the next day.