Problems with your intricate details in Papier Mache?

There are many different recipes available for paper mache paste and pulp. No one recipe is better than another or the 'right' recipe. Here are some of the common methods of 'cooking' up your paste.

• Use a simple mixture of flour and water. Mix one part flour with about 2 parts of water until you get a consistancy like thick glue. Add more water or flour as necessary. Mix well to get out all the bumps. Add a few tablespoons of salt to help prevent mold!

• Similar to the above recipe - Put 4 cups of water into a large pot. Place the pot on the stove and bring the water to a boil. While you are waiting for the water to boil, mix together 1 cup of flour with 2 cups of water, stir well to get out as many bumps as possible. Once the water is boiling, carefully add your flour and water mixture. Simmer this mixture for 2-3 minutes, until smooth. Add a few tablespoons of salt to help prevent mold. Allow to cool before you try to use it!

• You can use regular glue mixed with a bit of water. Mix using about 1 part water with 2 parts glue.

• Use wallpaper paste. Follow the directions from the manufacturer to mix this paste.
  
  

However, we often find ourselves stumped when it comes to smaller items, or intricate details on your work of art. Here, you'd find an article, to make a pulp mixture to make fine details on paper mache projects.

Materials Needed:

• Newspaper
• Water
• Salt
• Glue

Instructions:
A pulp mixture is great for making smooth, fine details in your paper mache creations, or for creating small objects. It would, however, take a lot of it to complete a larger project.

Tear the newspaper into tiny pieces and put them in a large bowl. Add just enough warm to hot water to completely cover the newspaper. Let soap overnight.

Once your newspaper has soaked for several hours, get your hands into it! Play with it, mix it, and squeeze it through your fingers until it looks like oatmeal! Try to get as many lumps out as possible. If necessary, add a bit more water and let it soak a little more.

Once you have it as smooth as possible, add a few tablespoons of salt to help retard mold. Mix it again with your hands. Once mixed thoroughly, squeeze out any excess water and add a few tablespoons of glue. Now you are ready to use your paper mache pulp!

If you don't want to wait overnight, you can add your newspaper to boiling water and let it boil until the newspaper falls apart. You have to watch this carefully and possibly add extra water if necessary. You can also try letting your newspaper and hot water mixture sit for a few hours and then put it in a blender or food processor. Don't forget to add the glue and salt once your mixture is smooth!

Store your pulp in an air tight baggie or bowl in the refrigerator for a very long time!