Several months ago during a shopping trip to the local mall, my husband and I stopped in to check out the offerings at Anthropologie. Actually, scratch that- I stopped by to check out Anthropologie and dragged my tolerant husband in with me :) I took my sweet time checking out the beautiful dinnerware, home accents and accessories as Luke walked ahead. I later caught up with him and found him staring at a collection of papier mache mounted animal heads. He was intrigued with the faux taxidermy. After studying the busts for a moment I blurted out "I could make that" and before I knew it a challenge was thrown down. Luke asked me to make him a faux deer head for our office. He's wanted a real deer head for years but I have always protested-this was my chance to give him something he has wanted and have complete control over how it looks. Plus, I had a new project and craft/art projects are what make my world go 'round. This was a win-win in my book.
(photo credit)
I never start a project with out doing a little research. I had worked with papier mache before in high school art classes but it had been a while. Papier mache is basicly bonding pieces of paper together with a paste. I know papier mache can be subject to mold and rot so I wanted to make sure I did everything I could to keep that from happening. After reading several "how to's" on the Internet I decided to use a paste of 2 parts glue to one part water as my bonding agent. So began the process of making the faux deer head. I made it completely from scratch. I formed a base from scrunching up newspaper and using masking tape to hold the shape. After getting a good form and size I began applying the papier mache. The key to papier mache is to allow each layer you put down to dry completely before adding the next. Once I had the the whole thing put together and papier mached I decided to add a wrapping paper decoupage to the outside as the finishing touch. The newspaper was alright but I really wanted this thing to "pop."
So after a few months of on and off work the faux deer head is finished! My husband is impressed and I have to say, so am I! Oh the things you can do when you put your mind to it! Here are some photos of the project.
Just beginning the wrapping paper decoupage
Finished Product! Yaaay!
Ta-Da!
I never start a project with out doing a little research. I had worked with papier mache before in high school art classes but it had been a while. Papier mache is basicly bonding pieces of paper together with a paste. I know papier mache can be subject to mold and rot so I wanted to make sure I did everything I could to keep that from happening. After reading several "how to's" on the Internet I decided to use a paste of 2 parts glue to one part water as my bonding agent. So began the process of making the faux deer head. I made it completely from scratch. I formed a base from scrunching up newspaper and using masking tape to hold the shape. After getting a good form and size I began applying the papier mache. The key to papier mache is to allow each layer you put down to dry completely before adding the next. Once I had the the whole thing put together and papier mached I decided to add a wrapping paper decoupage to the outside as the finishing touch. The newspaper was alright but I really wanted this thing to "pop."
So after a few months of on and off work the faux deer head is finished! My husband is impressed and I have to say, so am I! Oh the things you can do when you put your mind to it! Here are some photos of the project.
