PAPER MACHE EASTER EGG BASKET

Paper Mache Egg Basket is created from a basic 10" balloon covered in paper mache.  This is a fun craft to do with kids or to create for a child to paint or decorate as there are so many creative possibilities.

MATERIALS ~

Some 10 to 12 " balloons, as many as needed.

Paper Mache supplies, liquid starch and torn newspaper strips.  You can use a different paper mache method if you prefer but I like liquid starch as it's easy and dries with a nice crisp surface.  Buy at larger markets or Smart and Final.

Gesso or white acrylic paint for first coat and assorted colors for painting egg.  Acrylics work best and you can use tubes or the little 2 ounce bottles sold in craft stores.  Clear acrylic top coat and some glitter for accents here and there, a lot or a little, your choice.

Wire (paper coated works well) for handle or any material you prefer such as ribbon, or pipe cleaners.  You can also use a strip of thin cardboard or poster board for a handle.  Just cut handle length and thickness you prefer, bend in shape to fit basket, cover with paper mache and dry on wax paper with rocks or other weights to hold piece in place while it dries.  When it is dry, it will lift off wax paper easily. To add handle to basket, you can punch holes in handle ends and basket and use ribbon or wires to attach them or you can bend ends of handles a bit and paper mache right to basket. 

INSTRUCTIONS ~

Before you blow up some balloons, stretch them lengthwise a bit to make them a bit longer and so they do not end up too round.  Tie end.  Because you want your basket to have some strength, it's best to apply 3 separate coats of paper mache, letting each coat dry before applying the next so surface will be smooth and not wrinkled.  Make each coat as smooth as possible.  No need to cover the entire egg as you will be cutting the top edge in a broken shell pattern when it is dry.  You can stop a few inches from the tie.

When egg is dry you can gently pop the balloon and peel it off.  It must be thoroughly dry or the balloon will stick.  Mark lines on the top end in cracked egg shell pattern and cut.  

Paint egg with a coat of Gesso or white acrylic paint.  I prefer Gesso for the way it covers.  You need this white coat as it makes it easier to paint your final coat.  Cut or punch two holes for the handle if you are using wire or ribbon.  

When Gesso is dry,  eggs are ready to paint.  For kids,  put out a variety of bright colors and different size brushes.  Kids can paint eggs a solid color and then add designs and glitter later or they can paint their eggs lots of different colors as they go along creating any sort of patterns,  stripes, blotches, or flowers.  Leave it up to the kids and make sure it's their choice and all for fun. Paint a coat of clear gloss acrylic top coat when paint is dry and then attach handle.  

If you want to apply some glitter here and there, it will go on after the top coat.  When applying glitter,  paint some dots or other designs on the egg with some watered down white glue and shake it on.  It's a little tricky to shake off the excess glitter due to the slight stickiness of the top coat so use a brush to remove the extra.

If you have time kids can either do the paper mache part or help with it, but if they are too young, or there is not enough space or time or it's just not convenient, eggs can be created first for kids and they can then do the painting.