Papier-mâché Basics

Using Flour:

• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup warm tap water
• 1/2 tbsp salt (optional...best if you live in a warm climate to avoid mold)

Using Glue:

• 1 cup glue
• 1 cup water
• 1 tsp salt

TIPS

• Put a marble in the balloon before blowing it up.  It'll help keep it "grounded/still" while you do your work.  Gives it some weight.
• You can use cracked pepper instead of the salt if you want to get a "stone" texture.
• If you are storing your project in the garage where there may be pests/predators you can add some cayenne pepper to it.  It helps deter them from eating it.
• If you are doing multiple layers you could use the Flour recipe on the inside and then on the outer layer use the Glue recipe.  It'll help make it even stronger.

Flour vs Glue

If you are interested here is another take on the process and much more explanation by a very experienced lady.

Check out Jonni's YouTube

Jonni's videos on Mask Making

Jonni's best-selling how-to books for sculptors:

• Fast Faces - Sculpt Faces with Clay
• Make Animal Sculptures with Paper Mache Clay
• How to Make Masks
• Make Tiny Paper Mache Dogs