Paper Mache Pumpkin Pie Plate

I love this pumpkin pie plate and use it for a decoration each Fall and then as an actual plate for pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving.  Paper Mache is not really all that strong but if you handle it with care, it is amazing how much you can do with it and how well it holds up.  I love the way it can look like ceramics but it's basically just cardboard and newspaper.  Paper Mache is a bit time consuming and it takes patience but the effort is worth it for a lasting treasured craft.  Not every project is "make it today, wear it tonight"!

I will go step by step for making the pie plate but I would like to offer a few tips in advance.  Tape your base together really well with masking tape to give it a strong start.  Tape will all be covered later with paper mache so it won't show anyway.  When making any cake plate, the bottom base is just different size plastic or paper bowls, cups, salsa cups, and lids taped together so try different arrangements and make it any way you like.  To make your stand taller, insert a piece of cardboard tube in between plates and bowls.

When it comes to doing the paper mach part, I always use liquid starch as it is easier and less sticky and messy than paste or glue, but it's up to you and you can find recipes online. If you buy liquid starch, most large markets carry it, Smart and Final for one.  I also like the finish you get from starch better as when it is dry, it just seems crisper.  Make your layers as smooth as you can and do just one layer at a time.  Often, one layer is enough but if doing 2 for extra smoothness or strength, do the second layer after first has dried.  Putting too many layers on at once can make your object lumpy, sloppy, or crooked.

When object is ready to dry, make sure you put it on wax paper so it will come off easily when dry.  If you are doing an object like a tray or flat piece, you will need to put some weights on the piece here and there to keep it nice and flat and stop it from curling up.  I use something like lemons or rocks as edges are rounded and they won't leave marks on your piece.  For 3D round pieces like a lid or a bowl, put the piece over a bowl that is a bit larger and it will stay perfectly round.  While all pieces are drying, which can take a day or 2, move the weights around a bit and move the pieces on bowls a bit so they won't get too stuck.  If your piece gets stuck on the bowl, slide a knife gently under the edge to loosen it.

 

I always use acrylic paints, and I always paint on a clear topcoat last to protect the piece and give it a nice shine. Acrylics cover well and you can always add colors on top of colors, even light on dark. For kid's projects or projects you might not be actually using, you can also use tempera or poster paints. I still prefer acrylics for all projects, kids too. This is a fun project for kids of all ages to paint after paper mache part is finished.  Older kids can do the paper mache part but for younger ones, the fun part is the painting.  Mix up some nice Fall colors and let kids paint as they like.  It will look great because the basic piece is great.  Can't miss.

  Mark and cut 2 cardboard circle for stand and cover, one piece for bottom stand 10" across and one piece for top lid, 9.5" across.   You can make these any size you want, for large pie plate or small, up to you.  This pie plate stand is for the average size pie which is about 9" so about 10" for base plate stand and 9.5" for top lid so it can fit easily.   For rim on top piece and scalloped edge on bottom piece, cut 2 strips of nice weight poster board about 30"long each.  For lid piece cut piece 3" wide and for bottom plate cut piece 1" wide.  To mark and cut scalloped edge on bottom piece, make marks every 2" inches and then draw arches for scallops, and cut.  Tape these pieces to the cardboard circles, overlapping ends.

 Make your base by putting together some plates and bowls and lids starting with a large piece first.  Tape pieces together and then tape to center underside of your plate bottom cardboard circle piece.

After all pieces are taped, it's time to add the newspaper strips dipped in starch.  Put some starch in a dish or pan, and dip and squeegee torn newspaper strips in starch and apply to pieces, smoothing out pieces as you go.  One coat at a time is best as piece will end up smoother and stronger.  Do one coat and let dry.  Put lid piece over a bowl (larger than lid) so it will dry perfectly round.  If you don't put this piece over a bowl, it will dry crooked.  Pieces will probably take a day of so to dry so move the lid a little now and then so it won't get too stuck.  Use a knife to loosen if it does get a little stuck.  For the bottom piece, turn it upside down (scalloped edge down) on a piece of wax paper so it will come off easily when dry.  Put a few lemons or pebbles around the piece or edges will curl up.  Move lemons around a bit now and then so they don;t leave marks and piece will be even.

There is a large bowl under the top piece even though you can't see it.  Just press your lid over the bowl and it will come out perfectly.  Don't press too hard, you will alter the edge or it will be hard to remove.

Make your little pumpkin top piece.  Wad up some newspaper to create a ball about 3" across or so, more or less a little.  Tape ball all around and then wrap a soft folded paper towel to the ball to make it a bit smoother and tape.

Smush in the top and bottom a bit like a pumpkin.  Make a hole in the top and insert a little piece of twig for stem.  Cover pumpkin in paper mache, keeping top and bottom on the flat side and with a knife push some lines or grooves around pumpkin.  Dry.

 Little pumpkin takes a little work and can be a bit tedious, be patient, keep it smooth with tiny paper strips layered carefully.  Push in top and bottom a bit as you go for that pumpkin look and so it will glue to top easily.                                                                                                                                                                                               .

When pumpkin and lid are dry, glue pumpkin to center of lid, flatten a bit if necessary, and paper mache pumpkin to lid.  Also add another layer to entire lid as well.  Back on the bowl to dry. 

When the bottom piece is dry, you will need to reinforce the bottom pedestal part of this piece to make it a bit stronger as at this point it is probably on the weak side.  Go over the pedestal and add a little extra to the weakest points or where plates and bowls are attached to each other.

When both pieces are dry, paint with a coat of Gesso which I prefer as it covers so well and makes pieces easy to paint.  You can also use a white house paint or other white acrylic paint.  When undercoat is dry you are ready to paint your pieces.  I use acrylic paints but you can also use tempera.  You can draw  designs on your pieces or just start painting.  Try painting different areas of colors and when dry,  add dots, lines, and patterns , and then add more details after those designs are dry.  If you want to paint Fall leaves around the side like our piece, make a leaf pattern, place where you like and trace.  You could paint leaves all over your pieces, or paint it orange and red with yellow gold polka dots.  Make it simple or be wild and free.  Just have fun.  When dry, paint a coat of any clear, gloss, top coat.  Put your pumpkin pie on it and enjoy your special Thanksgiving craft for years to come, or give it to someone you are thankful for.