How to Make a Papier Mache Bowl with Wrapping Paper #DIY

The party’s over and you have lots of cool wrapping paper pieces left over. Do you put it all in the recycle bin? We used to! But now we make super cool papier mâché bowls with left over wrapping paper scraps.

Making a papier mâché bowl is so easy and the results are fabulous! I followed directions in Jane Bull’s book entitled Make it!

What you need:

  • a small bowl
  • pieces of wrapping paper
  • petroleum jelly
  • a paint brush
  • homemade paste (recipe below)

papier mache tutorial

First, you’ll need to make a homemade paste. Here’s what you’ll need:

Homemade Paste

  • 1 cup Flour
  • 3 cups of water

1. Put one cup of water one and one cup of flour in a saucepan. Stir mixture with a wooden spoon.

2. Add the rest of the water and bring to a boil. Stir constantly. Turn off the heat.

3. Pour into a bowl and allow to cool.

This makes LOTS of paste. You’ll have enough for several bowls. I kept some in a sealed container for later use.

Make a wrapping papier mâché bowl:

1. Gather pieces of cool wrapping paper and cut them into strips. The longer the better.

papier mache DIY

2. Find a bowl you’d like to use and grease the bowl with petroleum jelly. This stops the paper from sticking to the bowl.

3. Start layering the paper and brush a layer of homemade paste on the paper. Make sure the entire paper is covered.

papier mache tutorial

papier mache tutorial

4. Continue the process until you have done about 6 layers.

TIP: You will want to do your first layers with the wrapping paper facing the inside of the bowl. (ie. you’ll be seeing the back of the paper for the first layer). Once you have a good first layer you can flip the pieces over and paste the paper colour side up.

papier mache tutorial

papier mache tutorial

For more great project ideas check out Make it! by Jane Bull. All Jane Bull books are currently 30% off right now on the DK Canada website in the Jane Bull Boutique. 

What material would you like to use for your papier mâché bowl? I’d love to know!

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