Rough Around the Edges

Imagine . Design . Create . Inspire

  • About
  • DIY Furniture & Decor
    • WoodWorking
    • Paper Mache
    • Furniture Plans
  • Interior Design
    • Tips and Tricks
    • Store Finds
  • Home Inspiration
    • Room Makeovers
    • Mood Boards
  • Local Artisans

DIY Paper Mache Recipe: How to Make Paper Mache Clay & Paste

August 18, 2019 by Tamara Anguiano 5 Comments

Paper mache clay recipe

Paper mache gets the rep of just being craft related, but you can actually make some pretty awesome home decor pieces. Paper Mache is so versatile that the possibilities are endless with it. It’s especially good for halloween and Christmas decor props. 

These mediums are so easy to make, you going to laugh at the length of the directions for each. There is really nothing to it. 

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. If you make a purchase after clicking a link I will earn a small commission but it won’t cost anything to you! Check out my full disclosure policy for more info.

Materials Needed for the Paper Mache Paste

6 cups flour

1 cup white glue (like Elmers)

1 cup liquid starch (my homemade recipe or bought)

Roughly 12 cup water

a cap of lysol or 2 tbsp salt (mold control)

mixer (not for food use ever again)

Large Mixing bowl (not to be used for food again)

Directions

  1. Add all your ingredients into the large mixing bowl, except the water. 
  2. Add a few cups at a time and start your mixer on medium high. FIY this mixture will spatter a little bit, but everything in this concoction is water soluble which makes for easy clean up. 
  3. Keep adding the cups of water to the mixture until you get a like watered down pancake batter consistently. This should be approximately 12 cups of water. 
  4. Put the paste into a plastic storage container. This batch makes about 100 fluid ounces. 
  5. Store in the fridge until ready to use. 

Materials Needed for Paper Mache Clay

1 cup Drywall joint compound

6 cups paper mache paste

paper pulp (insulation)

Directions

  1. Like before add all the ingredients to the large mixing bowl except the paper pulp. I use blown cellulose insulation to make my paper mache clay. Yes you herd it right. Its super affordable. Like $13 buckaroos for a 19 lb bell. I have made about 10 plus large size pumpkins and have only used like half of half a quarter of the bell at you local Home Depot. Paper mache clay
  2. Add the paper pulp a few handfuls at a time. You can either use your hands or the electric mixer. I don’t know about you, but i’m using the mixer.
  3. Keep adding a few handfuls of paper pulp to the mixture. Once it’s get tough to use the mixer start using your hand. Don’t want to burn up that electric mixers motor. 
  4. You can mix the clay by squeezing the paper pulp through your fingers to get it throughly mixed. 
  5. You will know when it done when it stops sticking to your fingers and the side of the bowl.
  6. When done, put in a plastic storage container and keep in the fridge till ready to use.
  7. Side note: when you are ready to use, evenly distribute the moisture three the clay by messaging it like playdoh.

paper mache clay Paper mache clay recipe

Now that you have some of the main concoctions done you are almost ready to start making your first paper mache piece. This paper mache clay recipe is awesome. This stuff is so pliable and easy to work with. Plus once its dry its nice a hard with no cracks. If it does crack all you have to do is mere some more clay of the crack and let dry and wahlah. So be ready, in the next post it’s pumpkin time. 

Signature

You might also enjoy...

Homemade Liquid starchHomemade liquid starch for paper mache

Filed Under: Paper Mache Tagged With: Paper mache clay & paste

Previous Post Homemade Liquid starch
Next Post HGTV’s Fixer Upper Hot Sauce House Inspired Console Table Build

Comments

  1. Roxanne says

    August 21, 2019 at 4:19 am

    Love your blog! Thanks for sharing all the DYIs.

    Reply
  2. Bianca says

    August 13, 2020 at 8:15 am

    Thank you for the recipe. Now I have the paper mache clay, how do I make the flowers ? Is there any tutorial in this respect ? Thank you

    Reply
    • Tamara Anguiano says

      October 11, 2020 at 5:32 pm

      I’m glad this post was helpful. I haven’t started making flowers just pumpkins and maybe a spider or two. Its all about research of the structure you want to create and practice the shapes.

      Reply
  3. Diana Stamper says

    September 20, 2020 at 1:17 am

    Do you need an armature when sculpting the clay

    Reply
    • Tamara Anguiano says

      October 11, 2020 at 5:29 pm

      Not necessary, however, that is a great way to make your piece is structurally strong. So I highly recommend it.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Hello There!

Hello There!

I am a stay at home jack of all trades mom. I love interior design and getting dirty building furniture and doing home DIYs. I am prior military , so I am a bit rough around the edges, but I love myself that way. Check out my About me page to to get into the nitty gritty.

Lets Get Social

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Subscribe

Sign up to Rough Edges Newsletter to receive new post, tips, freebies, and specially offers only to you. Don't miss a thing!

mood board creation

Looking for something?

Free Printables

Categories

  • About Me
  • Bedroom
  • Book List
  • Books
  • Caregivers Corner
  • Day In The Life
  • DIY Projects
  • Fitness Tips
  • Food
  • Food Tips
  • Home Upgrades
  • Interior Design Tips
  • Lifestyle
  • Local Artisans
  • Mood Boards
  • Paper Mache
  • Recipes
  • Room Makeover
  • Sign Making
  • Store Finds
  • Stress Management
  • Travel
  • Uncategorized
  • WoodWorking
  • Workouts
  • Blog
  • Lets Work Together!
  • Lifestyle
  • Cart
This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

Error: There is no connected account for the user 10560226212 Feed will not update.

GET UPDATES!

Sign up to Rough Edges Newsletter to receive new post, tips, specially offers only to you. Plus free access to the rescue library. Don't miss a thing!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

COPYRIGHT © 2018. Theme by Lovely Confetti · DMCA.com Protection Status

Disclosure Policy - Terms and Conditions - Privacy Policy