Recipe for Homemade Paper Mache

Paper mache makes great modeling material for all kinds of arts and craft projects. It can be formed into sculptures, used for mask-making, and painted.

There are several variations for making paper mache (or paper pulp) that employ the use of common ingredients such as glue, wallpaper paste, newspaper, and flour. Two common methods are described below.

Ingredients:

white glue
warm water
newspaper strips

Directions:
Mix two parts of glue to one part water. Stir well and the paste is ready to use. Dip newspaper strips into mixture and saturate before using on project.

Alternative Recipe for Paper Pulp
Ingredients:
newspaper shreds
wallpaper paste
hot water

Directions:
Combine newspaper sheds and hot water in a bowl and let them soak thoroughly. Next, squeeze excess water out of the newspaper and mix it with the wallpaper paste. Add enough to thicken the paper mache to the consistency of modeling clay. Knead until smooth.

Reminder: Paper mache shrinks as it dries.