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If you are interested in learning how to make decorative items from papier mache, you probably have all the materials you need to start right now.

The basic materials to gather together are old newspapers or colored craft paper, water-based glue, a large bowl, and some masking tape. You are now ready to begin.

For your first project it's better to begin with a household object as a mould rather than starting straight off with a piece you shape yourself as you go along.

First, tear your old newspapers along the grain of the paper. Make strips about 2.5cm wide. There is no need to be too precise about this.

If you are using colored craft papers, these will produce a mosaic effect.

Select your mold. Any object can be used as a mold for papier mache; bowls, dishes, plates, cups, in fact anything with round edges.

Before applying the papier mache, coat the mold with petroleum jelly so that removing it will be easier.

(A mold isn't strictly necessary for learning how to use papier mache if you are making small items such as jewelry or buttons. Simply squash lumps of glue-soaked paper into shapes between your fingers. If you need to make holes in the papier mache, push a blunt tapestry needle or knitting needle through the wet paper before it dries out.)

To build up the shape, dilute the glue with water, and apply it to the strips of paper individually. Lay the strips in the same direction. On top of the first layer, apply another layer, this time going in the opposite direction. Repeat this process as many times as necessary.

Once the shape is complete, leave the papier mache to dry completely in a warm place, such as an airing cupboard.

Once dry, remove the mold, if you have used one, and smooth out any rough edges.

Using acrylic or poster paints, paint your papier mache item in any design you choose, perhaps stippling or sponging the paint to produce an artistic effect.

Once this is dry, coat it with clear varnish.

Here are a couple of ideas for using papier mache:

WALL DISPLAY PLATE

Grease a plate with petroleum jelly.

Cover the plate with six layers of paper strips soaked in diluted PVA glue, leaving an overlap of 20mm around the edge.

Leave it to dry (which could take up to three days).

Trim the edges and remove the plate from the papier mache.

To neat the edges, cover them with two layers of papier mache and leave to dry.

Apply two coats of white emulsion paint and leave to dry.

Draw your design on the plate with pencil and then fill in with paint.

Cover with clear varnish when dry and leave in a warm place overnight.

BUTTONS

Soak a strip of newspaper in a bowl of diluted PVA glue.

Shape it into a flat circle.

Squash the circle to remove excess moisture and leave it to dry in a warm place.

Repeat the process until you have the desired number of buttons.

When dry, trim each button into a neat circle.

Dip small strips of paper into the glue and bind the button edges.

Leave to dry.

Smooth with fine sandpaper and apply two coats of white paint.

Apply poster paint and, with a darning needle, make regular spaced holes in the center of each button.

Seal the button with clear varnish.

Once you have learned the basics of papier mache there is no end to the variety of decorative items you can make.

Learn more about this author, Lesley Allen.
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