Looking for great ideas for your next paper mache project or a gift idea? Check out my patterns and videos for masks, animal sculptures and faux trophy mounts.
I absolutely had to show you this colorful giraffe, made by a class of grade school kids with a bit of help from a parent with carpentry skills. A few days ago we saw a fairly realistic (very buff) paper mache panther mascot made by 7th and 8th grade kids, with some help from a very talented teacher. Now we get to see what kids will do when they let their imaginations and creativity go wild.
I’ll let the teacher tell you about it – here’s what she said in her email to me:
Hello Jonni!
I have really enjoyed your website – your creations are incredible!. Â I teach at Our Redeemer Lutheran School in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. Â Every spring, the sixth grade puts the year’s artwork on display in what we call our Gallery Opening. Â We invite the parents, have some fancy appetizers and juice, and the kids act as docents for the evening. Â They tell their parents what they have learned about the famous artists we have studied during the school year. Â The paper mache project is our centerpiece. Â This year, we had a wonderful dad who was willing to make the giraffe armature out of 2 x 4s and we took it from there. Â The final covering is a mod-podged collage of bright tissue paper.Keep the great projects coming! Â You are a great resource for classroom art teachers!Thank you!Nan Burger
hello Jonni
I have just spent 4 days plus looking, reading and thoroughly enjoying your site.
IT IS MARVELOUS! I have been using PM for over 40 years (for myself, kids, grand kids, Girl Guides,etc) – totally by accident found your site – LOVE your clay, skills, talents, attitude, crafts, etc, etc… you are a true inspiration. I almost ‘lost’ track of your site – (computers are fairly new to me – son bought it for me to “bring me into the 21st century” – and I am getting better with it) – a year of heart attacks means I have had to find other things to do than work/stress(not allowed to work for 1 yr after my ‘last’ attack{1.5 mths ago} and finding that not working is more stressful than almost anything else) (raising 5 grandchildren didn’t help either- down to 3 now) Any way you have re-inspired me with the paper mache and I will be adding it to my ‘time filling activities’ such as felting, book binding,drawing, painting, scrap booking and writing. Thank you ever so much. Words really cannot express how GREAT I think your site is. I will be checking in often for new stuff.Thank you. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
Great job kids! The possibilities are endless with papier mache, which is why I enjoy it so much. AND the materials aren’t as expensive as other mediums. Here’s a picture of two 5-foot giraffes we made for a client last year. I was told the bride nearly fainted she liked them so much. Enjoy!
DiVitto
love it,its great to do sculptures with different things like tissue paper-try brown coffee filters that fun too
That’s wonderful! I wonder who gets to take it home at the end of the year! They should auction it off (maybe to help pay for art supplies?)
I love the motto in the background, too. *nodding vigorously*
Maybe they could all paint a poster of the giraffe and motto together, so everyone could all take him home. Did you ever get to do anything that fun when you were in 6th grade?