Making Large Paper Mache Food?

Darlene Boone

May 20, 20070 found this helpful

That sounds like a tremendous amount of fun!! We made paper mache items for a float in college. The guys nailed 2x2s for a structural frame and then tacked chicken wire to hold the shape. We then did paper mache over the wire. Drying, painting and then shellac or varnish. A cone could become a carrot, a ball a tomato, an oval a potato...the possibilities are endless. There are lots of free publications - ads and newspapers that you could use for the paper part. We raid the stands when we need to lay down newspapers for the garden and mulching.

Darlene Boone

May 20, 20070 found this helpful

That sounds like a tremendous amount of fun!! We made paper mache items for a float in college. The guys nailed 2x2s for a structural frame and then tacked chicken wire to hold the shape. We then did paper mache over the wire. Drying, painting and then shellac or varnish. A cone could become a carrot, a ball a tomato, an oval a potato...the possibilities are endless.

I would suggest using balloons that are shaped somewhat like the foods you desire, eg: small round for apples, peaches, oranges, Use tubular balloons for a banana, or carrot. And pear shaped for, well, a pear of course, or maybe an eggplant. Big rounds could be a watermelon, and tiny rounds a grape, or potato. Various shapes can be bread, pineapple etc. And, two halves of a very large balloon can make 2 baskets or bowls of peper mache.

Next, tear 1 inch strips of newspaper, tearing is formal enough. Dip them in Sta-Puff laundry starch. Do they still make Sta-Puff? When saturated with starch, wrap them around the balloon. Cover all areas of the balloon trying to shape and smooth the wet newspaper and starch.

Allow your projects to dry overnight. Prick the balloons through the paper surface with a pin, if you want to fill the insides, like pinatas, or with weight like beans or sand. They can be painted, and/or decorated with silk leaves, sequins, trying not to get them too wet.

Good Luck!

Do not raid newspaper boxes for free newspaper. Even though it costs you nothing to do so, it's costing someone else. Waste paper is plentiful enough around your own home. Get any kind of paper you like, tear it into 1"/2.5cm squares and soak in water for a week or two. Add your glue medium (flour, wallpaper paste, PVA or whatever) and now you have a perfectly moldable composite that cost you next to nothing, cost others nothing at all, and helped reduce the waste stream.