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.   

   

 

EASTER CHICKS 

Easy craft for kids using balloons covered in paper mache.

 

Easter eggs are made from plastic eggs, also covered in paper mache.  Eggs can be any size (lots available in dollar stores), painted any way the artist chooses, fancy designs or just polka dots. A coat of clear acrylic gloss makes them look great.

MATERIALS

Balloons, about 6 inches high when blown up but this can vary.
Liquid starch and torn newspaper for paper mache.  I prefer starch but you can use a different method.
White acrylic paint or Gesso
Acrylic paints in assorted colors of your choice.  You can use any brand but the little 2 ounce bottles at crafts stored work great.
glue
Feathers from craft store in assorted colors or your choice
Plastic eyes or if you prefer, you can just paint the eyes, color paper for beek or paint

For eggs~ assorted plastic Easter eggs, paper mache (see above), paint, clear acrylic gloss top coat.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR CHICKS

Blow up balloons to about 6 inches high and tie.  Cover tie with tape.  Cover balloon with a layer of paper mache (torn newspaper strips dipped in starch) making it as smooth as possible, and let layer dry.  When first layer is dry, add a second, and dry.  When egg is dry, add a coat of white paint or Gesso (I prefer Gesso for the way it covers).  When dry paint chicks in Easter colors like pink and yellow or white if you prefer.  Glue or paint on the little eyes and beek.

Chicks are ready for their feathers.  Even little kids can enjoy doing this part with a little help.  Glue and feathers can get a little tricky but it works with a little patience.  Experiment with feathers to get the look you like and have fun.

EGGS

Eggs need just one coat of paper mache and a coat of white paint when dry.  Kids of all ages can paint eggs.  Put out lots of colors as anything can work.  To help kids a bit, encourage them to start with a solid color or two, or some stripes and add designs after dry.  It's easy to keep adding more details to designs as you go along.  When dry paint with the top coat for a great shine.


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EASTER EGGS ALA MATISSE ~

Giant paper Easter eggs with Matisse style cut out designs is a fun, easy art project for kids of all ages.  While learning about Henri Matisse and his colorful, bold, organic paper cut outs, kids will love working with  the bright colors and the fact they are giant Easter eggs.  Eggs can be displayed on walls or in a window.  Kids can either cut out the shapes or an adult can cut out the eggs and a selection of colorful shapes and kids can choose and glue shapes to eggs.

MATERIALS ~
Several sheets of poster board in bright Spring color for giant eggs.  Lightweight board is fine but construction paper is a bit too light.  Extra colors for cut outs which can be a combination of poster board, construction paper or any bright colored paper.
Pencils or marker for creating eggs and making pattern
Scissors
Glue sticks
Newspaper for creating egg patterns, or whatever you have on hand such as newsprint if you no longer enjoy the fun of reading a real newspaper.  I just had to say that because I love my paper.

INSTRUCTIONS ~
Make an egg pattern any size you choose or a variety of sizes.  Our pattern is about 36X22.  You can adjust size of egg to fit your poster board, or go for smaller eggs if you prefer.  I use newspaper for making patterns because it is so easy as it comes with basic lines to follow.  Fold newspaper lengthwise (if you need extra length or width, just add extra paper with tape)  A basic egg shape can be done by starting with 2 circles (half when folded), bottom larger than top circle, and then go from there and fill in the rest.  Cut out your pattern and trace and cut an egg, adjust it a bit if needed.  You can now use your first egg for your pattern as the newspaper is a bit flimsy.  Cut out as many eggs as you need.

Cut out a variety of colorful shapes to glue on the eggs.  You can do some flower shapes for Spring, lots of wavy lines, leaf shapes, uneven hearts, circles, and squares (see the sample photos for ideas).  If you have a book on Matisse Cut Outs (or look online) you can refer to that for a little inspiration and to show the kids Matisse's work.  Even better, if you are lucky enough to live near an art museum (like Los Angeles) with some of his work on display, take the kids as it's a wonderful way for them to enjoy art and the museum.  Once you get the idea, you can come up with lots of shapes.  One of the nice things about these shapes is they are so organic and free form, anything goes.  An adult can cut the shapes, kids can, or both.

Put all of the shapes out an a large table or the floor along with the giant eggs and some glue sticks and have fun!

DOGS ~ WATERCOLOR PAINTING KIT

Watercolor painting is relaxing and fun for kids and adults.  Pre-printed pages makes it easy to enjoy painting and provides an opportunity to practice and develop your own style.  You can paint in the lines or outside the lines, wild and free.  Printed lines will show through no matter what style you choose. 

Dog illustrations are lighthearted and fun, with a folk art feel.

Kit contains ~ Six pre-printed pages with six different Dog illustrations on fine quality 140 lb watercolor paper, 8.5X11, and one blank sheet for practicing.  One set of Jack Richeson fine quality semi moist watercolors (non toxic), 12 colors.  Two paint brushes, and tips.   $14.00, sold on Etsy at etsy.com/shops/littleislandcompany.

PAPER MACHE DOG

  Paper mache dog made from a simple card board rectangle shape box is an easy fun craft for all ages.  Kids can make the entire project from start to finish or an adult can make the basic dog and give it to a child to paint any way they choose.  Lots of animals can be made from a basic box and when finished kids can use the box for "stuff".

 

To make paper mache dog, go to January 2016 post Paper Mach Cat and follow the instructions.  The only difference will be the ears and tail.  Remember to remind kids that they can paint their dog any way they choose, even green with purple dots.

CASTLE CRAFT PROJECT

Castles are fun for kids of all ages and even more fun when they get to paint their own.  Paper Mache castles are simple to make and can be made for a child to paint, any way they choose.  The fun part about a castle is after painted, it can be used for play or displaying toy characters.  Kids can create their own castle starting with cardboard boxes, tubes, cones and tape.  Paper mache is fairly easy but it does take a bit of time to do and there is a drying time of a day or two.  So if you are looking for a project to bring to a child, it is sometimes easier to create the basic castle first.

MATERIALS ~

You will need one box for the castle base, one a bit smaller for the second square piece, a cardboard tube (can be trimmed) and a cardboard or heavy paper/poster board cone which can be purchased from a craft store or online or created by you.  

The pink castle base in the picture has a base box that is 5x5 and the second box is 3x5.  The overall height of castle is about 16", with flag 19".  The second castle has a base box that is 6x6 and the tube is a bit longer. For tower, or tube, you can use a paper towel tube or a mailing tube, whatever you have, and then cut to size.  Your castle can be any size you choose (even extra big!) and if you don't have boxes, you can create the pieces you need out of cardboard. 

You will also need ~ masking tape, glue, liquid starch (I prefer this for paper mache but you can use any recipe you like), newspaper strips, Gesso for undercoat or any white acrylic paint, acrylic paints (the 2 ounce bottles of acrylic craft paint at craft stores work really well) in assorted colors, paint brushes, scissor, clear acrylic top coat for a strong shiny finish.

To create basic castle, mark and cut an arch out of base piece.  mark and cut little pieces out of top section of second piece.  Glue or tape second piece to base, then glue or tape tube to base and to side of second piece, glue cone to "tower".   You are ready to paper mache your castle but if you are in a rush or do not want to paper mache, you can paint your castle now.  I like paper mache because it makes pieces strong, even, smooth, and a little easier to paint.  

Cover castle with a smooth layer of paper mache.  One layer is typically enough but if you prefer two (for extra strength and smoothness), wait for first layer to dry before applying the second.

I prefer liquid starch because it is neat and easy and provides a nice crisp surface.  You can find liquid starch at larger markets and Smart and Final.  There are also lots of different paper mache recipes (many online), such as flour and water, glue and water, that work well.  Just dip torn newspaper strips through starch, squeegee through fingers, and apply to castle. 

Paint an undercoat with Gesso or any white acrylic paint.  I prefer Gesso as it covers so well.  A white undercoat is a good idea because the newspaper is grey and dull and white is a better background for colors.  

 

After Gesso is dry, castle is ready to paint.  Encourage kids to paint their castle any way they choose, any colors.  Remind them that one way to add details or designs is to paint a color first, wait for it to dry, and then paint designs etc next as acrylics are great for adding colors on colors, even light on dark.  When paint is dry, for strength and shine, add a coat of a clear acrylic top coat. 

 

To make flag, use any small stick, skewer, craft or baking stick.  Cut a flag shape out of heavy paper or poster board, curl the straight edge a bit, add some glue and fold it around the stick top and hold until it sticks.  Craft glues work well or glue gun if an adult is in charge.  You may need to cut a little bit of cone top off to fit stick inside.

 

A castle is a wonderful project for a child needing to spend quiet time, time in a hospital or clinic.  You can encourage kids to make animals, characters, and trees (shown in picture) out of paper or cardboard to go with castle.  Or you can purchase little characters, animals or toys to go with castle to make a creative experience even more fun.  Interactive art, it's good for kids!

 

ELEPHANT PAPER MACHE CRAFT

 

Paper Mache elephant is an easy craft for kids of all ages.  Elephant can be created by an adult for a child to paint or with a little help, kids can do the paper mache part as well.  Paper Mache takes a little patience and experience but it gets easier with practice and the creative possibilities are endless. Kids love the fact that these animals, created out of little boxes (typically 4x4x6) can be used to store toys and treasures.

The elephant is made the same way as the paper mache Cat project posted January 11, 2017, so refer to that project for instructions and materials you will need.  

For elephant face you will cut a circle (slightly larger than your box), 2 big ears, a trunk, a tail, and four legs.

The size box I used is 4x4x6 but you can use any rectangle size box you choose...even extra large.  If you do not have a box, you can create one out of cardboard.  Elephant does not have to be gray and can be any color or colors child chooses.  

After cutting cardboard pieces and taping and gluing to box, elephant is ready for paper mache and a coat of Gesso before painting.  Again, see paper mache Cat project, January 11 for How To's.