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Paper Mache Ornaments

I got this idea from my older sister, Design Mom. Back when she was in the throes of art school she made these ornaments. Here is a small tutorial on how I did it.

1. Buy Claycrete or something similar. {It is a lot easier to sculpt with this stuff than regular paper mache.} You can get it or something like it at an art supply store. Mix Claycrete with water and mold around a wad of paper. I used old magazines. Follow general directions on package. With one bag of Claycrete we made 16 ornaments. Insert wire into the top so that you will have something to hang it to. {We didn’t do this part and ended up drilling a tiny hole in the top of each one.} It takes about 2 days to dry. You can speed up the process by baking the sculptures. It took ours about a day to dry and we put it in the oven on and off for a total of three hours. {A few hours in the evening and a little the next day.}

2. When the sculptures are dry paint them. We used acrylic paints but you can use anything you need. You don’t need gesso or a primer if you use Claycrete. Let paint dry. Lightly spray with gold spray paint so that they glitter. {I think the gold makes ALL the difference.} Attach ribbon and hang on tree!

  1. liz s

    November 28, 2007

    oh my gosh these are beautiful!

  2. [EricaJ]

    November 28, 2007

    Thanks Jordan. You’re cute.

  3. k e n d r a

    November 29, 2007

    Jordan, you are so cute! You remind me of a Jcrew model (and that is my highest compliment!).

  4. love.boxes

    November 29, 2007

    Wow! I agree about the gold paint! Gorgeous!

  5. e

    November 29, 2007

    thanks for the how-to guide. it’s been ages since i did papier-mache. a refresher course always helps!

    speaking of jcrew, that dress you liked (flannel serena dress) is on sale now for $99.

    http://www.jcrew.com/catalog/product.jhtml?id=prod89161273&catId=cat90221

  6. studio wellspring

    November 29, 2007

    how lovely ~ great job!

  7. jordan

    November 30, 2007

    thanks Kendra. that is a really nice thing to say, especially when I am 8 months pregnant.

  8. erika

    November 30, 2007

    I’ve printed this post and I am attempting these this weekend… I cannot wait! I’ll let you know how they turn out!
    Love your blog!
    THANKS FOR SHARING
    erika
    urbangraceinteriors.typepad.com

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