by Missy HoneyBea

Created on: August 24, 2008   Last Updated: September 30, 2011

There are many different projects you can make with Paper-Mache, but one of the most popular projects is Paper-Mache Masks. Making paper-Mache masks can get messy, especially with younger kids. But the results of this messy project are definitely worth it. These masks are fun to create and are great at birthday parties. There are 2-3 different kinds of Paper-Mache, and you can make your own paper-mache too. If you wish to buy it, Michaels and Wal-mart usually have it. It is around $10 per roll of Paper-Mache if you buy it, but I do think it works better when you buy it instead of making it yourself.

You will need:

• Scissors
• Vaseline
• A bowl of water
• A flat surface (table)
• 1-2 rolls of paper-mache OR a lot of newspaper
• (Optional) a friend
• (Optional) paint
• (Optional) paintbrushes

Step 1: Cover a flat surface (table) with newspaper to minimize mess.

Step 2: To make your own paper-mache, take newspaper and cut it into strips. If you use already made paper-mache, you also just cut it into strips.

Step 3: Rub Vaseline ALL OVER your face. Make sure you even cover your lips, chin, eyebrows, and ears to help make sure the mask comes off easily.

Step 4: Once you start this step, try not to make the person who is getting paper-mache on there face talk or laugh. Dip a strip of paper-mache into the bowl of water. Then, take the strip and place it on the face. I usually start with the forehead and the nose. Cover the entire face (except for eyes) with paper mache. When covering the lips, open your mouth a little and push mache in between lips a bit. Make sure you get the piece of skin in between your nostrils!

Step 5: Repeat step 4 at least one or two more times. This helps to make the mask stronger.

Step 6: Don't pull the mask off. If you do this, your mask will break or become misshaped. It starts to pull off your face itself most of the way. When it is mostly dry and feels like it is about to fall off of your face, carefully take off the mask. Then set it somewhere, like on a piece of newspaper to dry.

Step 7: When dry, you can keep the mask as it is, plain and white, or, decorate it with paint and other materials. Use your imagination and make your mask one of a kind. You can use your masks for Halloween, decoration, or anything else that your brain can think of.

Note: When making Paper-Mache masks, I recommend that people don't where the best cloths and put there hair back because even though paper-mache doesn't stain, it is hard to get out of cloths and hair.

ENJOY YOUR MASKS!

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