Paper Mache Christmas Balls
Submitted by Sharon Moreno
Estimated Cost to Make the Item: $5.00
Materials:
Styrofoam, newspaper, wire, ornament hook, paper mache/clay, glitter.
To see all of the reader-submitted items, including more from Sharon, visit our Practical Paper Mache page.
I love these! The retro-yellow-guy especially appeals to me. I am so inspired!!
Thanks very much
Kate
Good morning Jonni
Thank you, I used your techniques described in your book to build the framework for my cats. They came along so much quicker using your techniques.
Yes, of course you can include the ornament instructions in the ebook.
Sharon
Hi Sharon,
Thank you so much for the information about using string and other texture to make such a lovely design on the the glittering Christmas Ball.
I must try to make one or two.
Thanks for the reply.
June
You are welcome June. I’d love to see your ornaments when you finish them. Now I want to create some more!
Sharon
I’m sorry, I’ve been so busy mache ing away, attempting to get something finished for my etsy shop I haven’t even looked at the computer. ( if it’s okay to leave my etsy info here Jonni I’ll add it at the end of this comment post. There are a couple of sold ornaments in that section).
June, I tried your idea with the glue gun but I found I couldn’t get a smooth even consistent line out of it so I scrapped that idea.
The only thing I had to buy is the the glitter – I had everything else on hand.
The materials I used: styrofoam balls ~ wire ~ Jonni’s paper mache and gesso recipes ~ lots and lots of sandpaper ~ cotton packaging string ~ paper mache clay for the fine details ~ and glue.
Steps:
1. sketch my pattern
2. use wire for loop and glue into styrofoam ball. (I tried adding the wire
after I covered the ball with the paper mache recipe but Jonni’s mache
dries so hard I had a heck of a time. An ice pick might have helped. You
know I think of these things after the fact.
3. cover entire ball with paper mache recipe. Dry thoroughly.
4. sand, sand, sand, Sand – then gesso until satisfied and sand some more 😀
5. use sketch to draw your design on the ball.
6. soak cotton string in glue (you could probably use the Stiffy they sell at craft
stores (I didn’t think of it until now).
7. then sculpt the flowers and glue the string onto your design you drew onto the ball.
8. Sand, sand, sand
9. Let dry.
10. paint, varnish and while still tacky apply glitter.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/thepaintedladys
Thanks, Sharon – this is great. (and that cat on your Etsy shop is really quite intriguing – I hope everyone takes a look). May I add these instructions to the Christmas ball page in our ebook?
I would love to know how to make your christmas ornaments. Could I please get the instructions
Joni, all the mache projects are unique and interesting..
sharon, your mache is exceptional. How do you get the texture on your Christmas balls..the flowing stems of the flowers and the flowers themselves. I was just thinking of adding a textured line using hot glue and pulling the glue in the direction I wanted, then cover with mache. Has anyone done that?
Love all the ideas. Such an inspiration.
June