Papier-mâché is a paper-like substance made from paper pulp that can be moulded when wet and painted when dry. It offers an interesting opportunity for creating things like boxes, houses, masks, pedestals and many other items ready to be decorated in a variety of ways.

The things needed to make a papier-mâché object are very simple and include, a papier-mâché blank made to your own design, some PVA glue, paints or colouring media paint brushes and a palette. You may also want to decorate the object with some ribbon, tissue paper, card, glitter, beads, fabric or cardboard or shapes,

First, tear a newspaper into strips about an inch wide by 4 inches long. This is only approximate. Tear the paper with the grain.

Prepare papier-mâché by make up a mixture of PVA glue and water in a 50:50 ratio (equal amounts) and apply this mixture to all surfaces of the papier-mâché with a soft brush.

Once the paper is has started to soak you can apply it across the object in layers overlapping each one in a different direction.

You can mould the mixture round a balloon, bowls, plates or any other object. These will need to have a release agent such as Vaseline, cooking oil or liquid soap applied first to stop the papier-mâché sticking to them. These will provide a good flat surface for whatever paint or decoration you plan to use. It is always best to seal your papier-mâché object before starting your project you can use the PVA mixture for this.

You can use different types of paint on a papier-mâché surface once it is sealed such as oil paints, water colours, gouache, poster paints and acrylics, or you can over it with tissue, glitter or other solid objects depending on your own creativity.

If you want a matt finish leave them to dry as they are if not, you can coat them with a gloss varnish.