Learn how to make a paper mache bowl! Paper mache projects are some of the most fun projects that you can do. There is so much creative room for you to make anything and everything out of just some shredded-up paper and water. However, if you're just starting out, the best way to have fun and paper mache simultaneously is to make a paper mache bowl. These bowls can serve as a place where you put your keys or jewelry or can even be used as décor around the house. It is important to note that paper mache bowls cannot be used for food.
How to Make a Paper Mache Bowl - 2 Ways
There are 2 main methods of making a paper mache bowl. The first uses pulp and the second uses strips of newspaper and glue. The pulp method gives fine results and allows you to shape the bowl and use moulds. The strip method is easiest for kids.
How to Make a Paper Mache Bowl - With Pulp
Before you can start making your paper mache bowl, you need to have all your supplies ready. It’s just better in any project you do to have everything already laid out in front of you as it makes the whole process a lot quicker and hassle-free. First, there are few things that you need to make the ‘pulp’ which is basically what paper mache is, and then there are supplies you’ll need to make your bowl.
Supplies - Paper Mache Pulp
- Shredded paper (Use up any old notebooks or papers you have lying around. Old newspapers work great as well)
- Flour (Any that you have available to you. Flour just adds a bit of body to the mixture)
- Salt (Helps prevent the mixture from going bad in between drying times)
- Hot water (This is ultimately what the paper, flour, and salt go into to make the pulp. The water does not have to be boiling, but it needs to be hot)
- Mixing Bowl (To mix it all in)
- Immersion Blender (Or normal blender to mix everything together)
- Bowls or Balloons (To shape your paper mache bowls)
- Paint (If you want to paint your bowl)
- Topcoat (To add a protective layer and seal the bowl)
How to Make Paper Mache Pulp
Once you have everything ready to go, you need to them make the paper mache pulp that is the basis of this project. Making the paper mache pulp is an easy process but will need to be prepared a few hours or a day in advance for best results.
Making bowls with paper mache pulp rather than strips of paper allows greater control of the shape of your bowl. Pulp is also used to make sculptural forms and you can use this recipe to make many other paper mache items.
Step 1 – Shred Paper
If you don’t already have your paper shredded, you can do it easily with a paper shredder or scissors. The best part about paper mache is that you don't need to have a specific type of paper for it to work, so just go around your home and pick up any scraps of paper that you don't need anymore and add them to the pile. If you don't have a shredder, you can always use scissors but just remember to cut the pieces finely as that is what you need for paper mache.
Step 2 – Add Water
Once you have your shredded or cut-up pieces of paper, place them in a bowl and add your hot water. Don't add too much water to the bowl as that will make the whole process a lot harder in the later steps. Add just enough water so that it covers the paper you have in the bowl.
Step 3 – Soak
This is the step where your active work is pretty much done. You need to leave your paper and hot water to soak in for a few hours but ideally, it should be overnight. This step helps break down the paper so the longer it can soak, the better malleability of the paper for your project. When making paper mache bowls, you need the paper to be fully saturated so that the curves of the bowl show up when it is dry.
Step 4 – Blend the Pulp
Once your paper and water have had ample time to soak, you can then start blending the mixture. You can use a hand blender or a normal blender to help you with this step. Just make sure you have blended it thoroughly as no big chunks of paper should be left once you’re done with it. Keep mixing in between blending so you don’t miss any paper strips in the bottom of the bowl.
Step 5 – Squeeze and Crumble
Get a bowl ready to start squeezing water out of your paper and water mixture and transfer it to the dry bowl. Take handfuls and start squeezing the water out but don’t squeeze too much, just as long as the water doesn’t drip when you lightly squeeze it. Do this for all the paper you have and once you have dry paper balls, crumble them evenly. Make sure you have crumbled each and every piece of the wet paper and you’re good to go.
Step 6 – Mix
Now is the fun part where your crumbled wet paper becomes the paper mache pulp that you need for this project. You do have to be careful when adding all the things together as you can always add more but can't take away. Add some salt and flour to your paper crumble and some water.
The general rule of thumb for this is to have 3 parts of paper crumble and 1 part of the flour.
Add water and mix until you start to see a clay-like consistency forming. You can play around with the ratios and mix them together until you have pulp that forms and stays in shape. Try flat shapes such as a square or a circle to ensure it is ready. You can store this finished pulp in the fridge or use it immediately to make your paper mache bowl.
How to Make a Paper Mache Bowl with Pulp
Now that your paper mache pulp is ready, you can start building up your paper mache bowl. Choose a bowl you already have, that you want to use as your mold and you can start building your paper mache bowl up. Just make sure that the bowl you use is oven-safe.
Step 1 – Build Your Bowl
Take the bowl that you will be using as a mold and cover it in plastic wrap. This will make demolding the bowl much easier in the future. Take handfuls of your paper mache pulp and start pressing it into place. The thickness of the bowl depends on what you like but you should add about a quarter of an inch of thickness to make it sturdy. Once your whole bowl is covered, blend the seams so that it looks more cohesive. Any decorations or texture you want to add can now be added to your bowl.
Step 2 – Dry the Bowl Out in the Oven
Once you're happy with the shape and texture of your bowl, you need to place it in the oven to dry out. Most ovens have a 'keep warm' setting but if yours doesn't you can always heat it up before and let the residual heat dry out the bowl. Just make sure your oven is not very hot as the plastic wrap can burn. The drying time will depend on the thickness of your bowl but about 5-10 hours will be enough. Once your bowl is dry, you can take it out of the oven and let it cool completely in a cool, dark place.
Step 3 – Demould Your Bowl
Taking away the molding bowl from your paper mache bowl is a process that requires patience and time. You need to be very careful when you are trying to take away the bowl as it can lead to cracks or even break your paper mache bowl. Start by pulling away from the sides of the bowl you used as a mold but don't pull away too much. Rotate the bowl once the sides are free and that will help you free up the bowl as well. If it doesn't free up don't force it, instead just gently pull away from the sides more. It will take time for you to this but once you have it free, just wiggle it out and your new paper mache bowl is ready.
Step 4 – Paint and Seal
Once your paper mache bowl is out of the mold, you will need to let it dry out for a few more hours to make sure there are no wet spots left. You can then add your finishing touches, if any, to the bowl. You can use any type of paint on the bowls, just make sure to seal everything in with a top coat and your new paper mache bowl is ready for use.
How to Make a Paper Mache Bowl with Strips
The other way how to make a paper mache bowl is to use strips of paper or newspaper and glue each piece on individually. This will result in a slightly rougher bowl but can be the best method, particularly for kids.
Supplies - Paper Mache Strips
- Shredded newspaper cut into 1 inch (2.5cm) strips
- All-purpose flour for the glue
- Water for the glue
- Salt - This can preserve your glue mixture and is optional
- Mixing Bowl (To mix it all in)
- Bowls or Balloons (To shape your paper mache bowls)
- Paint (If you want to paint your bowl)
- Topcoat (To add a protective layer and seal the bowl)
How to Make Paper Mache Glue
Combine 2 parts water with 1 part flour. Adjust the consistency if necessary so the mixture becomes like a runny white glue. Make sure you work the lumps out with a fork or hand blender.
Adding a few tablespoons of salt will prevent mold and to make your mixture last longer.
How to Make a Paper Mache Bowl with Strips
Step 1 – Build Your Bowl
Now that your paper mache glue is ready, you can start creating your paper mache bowl. Choose a bowl of any size. You can even use a balloon blown up to your desired size.
Grab the bowl that you will be using as a mold and cover it in plastic wrap. This will make demolding the bowl much easier in the future. It is also possible to use the inside of the bowl.
Dip the strips of newspaper in the glue and place them on top of the bowl. Repeat until the entire bowl is covered. You will want to lay the strips in different directions to get a smooth even layer. A paintbrush can be helpful to smooth all the layers and edges.
For the edges, you can fold the newspaper back over itself or cut it off later. If your layering is quite thick, it can be difficult to cut the edges once dry so try and get them straight while the newspaper is still wet.
Step 2 – Dry the Bowl in the Sun
Once the bowl is your desired thickness and shape, dry it in a warm sunny spot. It is best to let it dry overnight as well.
Step 3 and 4 - Demould and Paint
Follow steps 3 and 4 from the pulp section above to remove your bowl and apply paint.
How to Make a Paper Mache Bowl – In Conclusion
A paper mache bowl can help you organize your jewelry or serve as a statement piece on your coffee table. It is a project that is very easy to do and looks pretty once it's ready. Learning how to make a paper mache bowl will not only help you understand the basics of paper mache projects but also gives you insight into how you can utilize paper mache pulp for different projects around the home. You can do trial and error with paper mache projects and as with any art form, whatever looks good to you, is the perfect end result.
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