Papier-mâch is a craft project that many kids have done at school or camp. It is a fun way to turn old newspapers into works of art. But even adults can enjoy making papier-mâch beads and stringing them into a necklace or bracelet. With just some newspaper, glue and paint, you can make colorful beads to sell or give as gifts.
Instructions
1. Boil some water in a large pot.
Put some water in a tea kettle or large pot and heat. While you are waiting for the water to boil, shred some newspaper into small pieces. Keep the pieces of paper approximately an inch or two in size. Place the pieces of newspaper into a large stock pot.
2. Pour the boiling water over the newspaper.
Pour the boiling water over the newspaper. Fill the stock pot with boiling water to completely cover the newspaper.
3. Leave the pot to cool. The pot can sit for one or more hours. Before you stick your hands into the water, make sure that the water has sufficiently cooled; otherwise, you risk being burned.
4. Stir the newspaper in the pot. This helps to break down the paper into even smaller pieces.
5. Remove the newspaper from the water and squeeze out as much liquid as possible. You can place the newspaper in a strainer to help remove some of the water. It is important to work in small batches at a time. If you use too much, the paper may dry out before you can shape the beads.
6. Add glue to the newspaper.
Add glue to the paper. The amount of glue varies, depending on the amount of paper you are coating. Add enough glue to help hold the paper into a ball shape. Also, choose a type of glue that dries clear.
7. Take small pieces of the glue and paper and form into a ball. As you are rolling the paper into a ball, continue to squeeze out as much moisture as possible. Shape the balls into the size you want your beads to be. Repeat the process of forming each bead until you have used up all the paper or you have enough beads made.
8. Allow the formed beads to dry. The drying process may take several days, depending on the amount of humidity in the air.
9. Sand the beads.
Sand the beads lightly when the beads are totally dry. This removes the rough edges of your beads, giving them a smooth outside surface.
10. Drill a hole through the center of your beads.
Drill a hole, carefully and slowly, through the center of your beads, all the way through the other side. Choose the size of your drill bit to match the material you are going to use when stringing the beads together.
11. Paint the beads.
Paint each bead using the colors of your choice. Craft paint works well for this project. You can be as detailed as you like by making the beads all one color, or you can add splotches of other colors on the bead's surface. This will make your beads look like a real rock. Allow the paint to dry thoroughly.
12. Paint the surface of the beads with a thin coat of varnish. Allow the varnish to dry overnight. When your beads no longer feel tacky or sticky, string them into a necklace, bracelet or anything that you wish.
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