Awe-inspiring Paper Mache Mushroom

Using recyclables around the house and a little paper mache we will make this crazy daffy mushroom.

Bring the beautiful outdoors inside, you can keep this mushroom all year long and no fuss required.

Quick List

Cardboard box

Recycled Newspaper

Paper Mache Paste

Masking Tape

Paints and Paint Brushes

Glue Gun (optional)

H²0 and Rags

Music (optional)

1 Creating Your Giant Mushroom Armature

Cut out two circles for the base of your giant mushroom from your recycled cardboard. Make this as large as you like and assemble with tape or hot glue gun.

Slide your base into a plastic bag and begin stuffing with recyclable newspaper until it is compact and full. Use masking tape to shape and form into a perfect stem.

To create the top of the mushroom again more stuffing newspaper into a large plastic bag and shape with masking tape.

Covering your armatures with plastic bags helps prevent the cardboard from warping.

2 Paper Mache Strips and Paste

Cover the mushroom armature with 3 layers of newspaper soaked in paper mache paste. Work out the air bubbles and lay flat onto your armature.

Your mushroom must be completely dried before adding more wet paper mache strips (see note) or paper clay, which ever you wish to use.

Now cover your mushroom with more paper mache paste and newspaper or use homemade paper clay. Both recipes are on the channel, feel free to check them out.

Note: If you are NOT going to cover with paper clay you can cover your armature with more paper mache strips. Start by applying 3 to 4 layers of paper mache strips and let it completely dry before adding more strips. After these strips have dried continue using paper mache strips and paste to cover your mushroom with at least 8 more layers.

All 8 layers does not have to be done in one setting but once you stop for the day the giant mushroom must be allowed to completely dry before starting a new paper mache stripping session. Below you will find the recipes and steps.

Quick Link to Paper Mache Paste Recipe

Paper Clay: Cover the entire mushroom with 1/4 inch layer of paper clay and let that completely dry before painting.

If you need once the giant mushroom has dried you can lightly sand with sandpaper and wipe off.

3. Paint Your Giant Mushroom

Paint a white coat of paint on your mushroom to give you a white canvas for painting on. I used white interior flat paint as my base coat.

Once the base coat as dried paint with acrylics anyway you like. Let this completely dry.

You must seal your paper mache pieces with varnish for protection. Varnish comes in a spray can in gloss or stain, spray on 3 to 4 coats and let it dry.

Spring Is In the Air

Now you that is just one way to make a giant paper mache mushroom, a must have decorative accessory.

I hope you have been inspired to create your own Paper Clay Mushroom and we would love to see photos, you can leave your suggestions and comments below.

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Link to our website and article with photographs: http://goo.gl/nXE895