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Um, hi i'm 13 years old and I like the idea of paper mache but I have a million questions. Maybe if you know the answer to one of them you can help me?
Well the first thing is, I once heard that you could like form your shape out of crumpled up newsprint and taping it together, and then pasting tissue paper or kitchen roll on top of it. Does it work? Also, when you do it the normal way, instead of using newsprint, can you use strips of notebook, print paper, or brown paper bag?
Another question I have is, well i want to do this project where I cut
kitchen roll cores to make a bunch of rings that I can tape together and make a weird sculpture. But i don't know what to cover it with or how. One more thing! For very small projects, can you use clear nail polish to coat the finished project, and will it last? I think I'm done! Thanks!
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Sure, lots of people crumple up newspaper into appropriate shapes, and tape them with masking tape (usually). Then you can attach the shapes together, either with glue (sticking part to part), or continue with the masking tape. When you've got the basic shape right, then you start applying strips of paper that you've brushed glue onto (usually one side) and overlap them, first in one direction, then in another. For smaller additions, use smaller crumpled balls (like for the muzzle of a dog) on top of the paper strips.
You can use nearly any kind of paper you want; all the kinds you mentioned are fine.
I don't quite get the rings... are they glued together to form like a skeleton, then the strips are pasted over them? Or are they a decorative shape by themselves?
I've never used nail polish for the final coat, but I don't see why it wouldn't work. Just make sure that your whole project is dry before you try to coat it with anything; any moisture will turn into mold and ruin your piece.
Sue
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Wow, thanks so much for all the help! I really appreciate it! Nevermind about the paper core ring thing, I've decided to do something else. Thanks again!
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