Paper Mâché Easter Bunny and Eggs
You will need:
• pencil
• paintbrush
• white acrylic paint
• color acrylic (or tempra) paint
• small balloons (water balloons)
• small drink carton
• tape
• newspaper (cut into 1/2” strips, varying lengths)
• cardboard
• all-purpose flour
• water
P A S T E M I X T U R E :
Non-Cook recipe:
• Flour
• Hot Water from the Tap
Pour all-purpose white flour into a bowl. Add hot tap water gradually until you have a consistency similar to white glue. Ready to use.
Stove recipe: Cooked paper mache paste will dry almost clear, unlike the raw paste, and the surface of your paper mache sculpture will be slightly smoother.
• 2 Tablespoons of white flour
• 1 cup of cold water
Mix the white flour and water in a small saucepan. Stir until there are no lumps. A whisk works really well for this. Put the pan on the stove at medium heat and slowly bring it to a boil, stirring constantly.
When paste begins to thicken, be sure to keep stirring to make sure it doesn’t burn. Once it begins to boil, remove from heat and allow to cool. The paste will be somewhat runny when it’s hot, but it will gel slightly as it cools.
Simple EGGS
• Inflate balloons. Apply a strip of plain tape over the knots to create a smooth surface.
• With paintbrush, apply the paste mixtue over a generous portion of the balloon surface.
• Lay one or more newspaper strips in a single layer on the applied paste. With your brush apply more paste to the top surface of the applied strips of paper.
• Paper may be applied in any direction. Mixing up the paper directions will add strength to the final piece when dried.
• Repeat this process until your balloon is covered completely with 2 to 3 layers of paper.
• Let dry overnight.
• (optional) Once dry, paint the surface with a single coat of white acrylic paint. Allow to dry again (1-2 hrs).
• Once dry, your egg is ready for decorating! I just used acrylic paint, but you can use a variety of materials to decorate your eggs. Have fun!
Bunnies
• Blow up a balloon, and knot. Apply a strip of plain tape over the knot to create a smooth surface.
• Cut top off of drink carton.
• Place balloon in top with the knot facing up and forward (this will be the bunny nose), and tape into place.
• Cut ears from cardboard. Tape in place to the back of the carton, about 1" below trim.
• With your paintbrush, apply the paste mixtue over a generous portion of the surface.
• Lay one or more paper strips in a single layer on the applied paste. With your brush apply more paste to the top surface of each applied strip of paper.
• Paper may be applied in any direction, which adds stength to the bunny when dried.
• Repeat this process until your bunny is covered completely with 2 to 3 layers of paper.
• Let dry overnight.
• (optional) Once dry, paint the surface with a single coat of white acrylic paint. Allow to dry again (1-2 hrs).
• Once dry your bunny is ready for decorating! (I just used paint, but you can use a variety of materials).
Have fun! And don't forget to send me pictures of your finished pieces!