How to make paper maché with Bostik Hobby Craft PVA glue

Paper maché is simple and fun to make and can be used in many arts and crafts projects. In a hectic and fast-paced world, spending a little time getting crafty can provide some welcome relaxation. It allows us to pause and get lost in the moment and learn a new skill to express your creative side.

Paper maché is super easy to make using Bostik Hobby Craft PVA Glue. Plus, it's a brilliantly versatile medium – there are so many things you can make from paper maché including an artistic sculpture or a homemade trinket dish to gift to friends and family.

In this tutorial, we will show you how to make a paper maché bowl using a balloon. This DIY paper maché bowl is great for storing items such as keys, jewellery or any other small household items.

Why Bostik Hobby Craft PVA Glue?

Bostik Hobby Craft PVA Glue is a multipurpose, solvent-free white glue that turns clear when it dries. It’s the perfect go-to glue for arts and crafts projects for both adults and kids; such as card-making, scrapbooks, model-making and school projects. Plus, it sticks lots of materials, including paper, card, wood and fabric.

Our Hobby Craft PVA Glue comes in an easy-to-use bottle with a resealable cap, and it’s specially formulated to be washable, so accidents are easy to clear up.

Instructions

Step 1: Rip your paper

First things first, you need to tear up a good supply of old newspapers. Your strips of newspaper should be 2-3 inches (5-7 cm) long and 3-5 inches (7-13 cm) wide.

Step 2: Create your paste

Once your newspaper strips are prepared, you need to mix 2 parts of Bostik Hobby Craft PVA Glue to 1 part water in your mixing bowl. To open your Hobby Craft PVA Glue, twist the blue part of the nozzle anti-clockwise, then gently squeeze the bottle so the glue starts pouring out.

Stir the Hobby Craft PVA glue and water together until you get a paste-like consistency.

Remember: After using your Hobby Craft PVA Glue, turn the nozzle clockwise to stop the glue drying out and wipe the nozzle with a clean cloth.

Step 3: Grease your mould

Select your item depending on what you are trying to create from the paper maché - your item is your mould. For example, in order to create a paper maché bowl we are using a balloon but a plastic bowl would also work - the choice is yours.

Grease your mould with petroleum jelly so that it will be easy to remove at the end of your project.

Step 4: Apply paste to your strips

Dip a strip of newspaper into the paste so that it is fully covered.

Tip: If you're struggling to apply the paste or find it gets too messy, lay some old newspaper on your table to protect the surface. Then, dip a large paint brush into your paste mix and paint the newspaper strip on the table being careful to not apply too much paste.

Once the strip of newspaper is fully covered, hold the strip above the mixing bowl and running it between two fingers to remove any excess paste.

Step 5: Stick to your mould

Apply the covered strip to your mould and then repeat, starting in the centre of your object and gradually fanning out.

Continue layering strips to cover the whole mould, overlapping them and laying them in different directions. Then allow your piece to dry completely.

Step 6: Leave to dry and then repeat

Once your first layer of newspaper has dried on your mould, repeat steps 4 and 5 several more times to build up the layers. This will give your finished item strength and will better withstand the test of time.

Step 7: Tidy up your creation

Once the final layer of newspaper strips has dried, ease your paper maché off your mould. If you've used a balloon, you can carefully pop the balloon so that it deflates. Remove the deflated balloon and your DIY paper maché bowl will stand intact.

Where required, trim the edges of your paper maché creation to tidy everything up.

Step 8: Decorate

The final step is to decorate your new paper maché bowl. You can use paint or pens for a pop of colour or add stickers, gems or Bostik Glitter Glue to bring that sparkle - let your imagination run free.

And that's it! You've now learnt how to make paper maché with Hobby Craft PVA Glue. For more craft inspiration and ideas, take a look at our full list of #CraftWithBostik tutorials.

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HOBBY CRAFT PVA GLUE

Bostik Hobby Craft PVA Glue is a multipurpose solvent-free white glue. It's made with everyday craft projects, school activities, and light repairs in mind. The water-based PVA adhesive applies white and dries clear, creating a strong and lasting bond across a variety of materials. Suitable as a craft glue for paper, card, wood, and fabric, the solvent-free formula is washable and comes in an easy-to-use bottle with a resealable cap for less mess.

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