Hobbies And Interests
Things You'll Need
Instructions
Tear up several newspapers into small strips to make the paper mache. Put the strips of paper into a bucket and add water; just enough to make them slightly soggy and then mix around using your hands.
Pour a packet of powdered glue into another bucket. Mix with water according to the instructions on the packet using an old wooden spoon or stick. Leave to thicken for a few minutes. The glue is used to bind the paper so the paper mache is hard when it dries.
Pour a little of the glue mixture gradually into the bucket that contains the paper. Stir as you pour. Keep adding the glue until you have a paper mixture that doesn̵7;t resemble paper. Put some of the mixture in your hand and squeeze, then let go. You need to be able to mold the paper mache into shapes. If it̵7;s too runny, add more paper. If it̵7;s too thick, add more glue.
Blow up a balloon to the size you want your paper mache light to be. If you only want a small light, then only inflate it a little, but if you want a large light, then blow up the balloon fully.
Use your hands to start putting the paper mache onto the balloon. You need to completely cover the balloon using the paper mache. It needs to be about 1/2 inch thick.
Leave the paper mache until it is nearly dry. Test it by pushing the paper mache gently using your finger; it is fine when you need to apply a reasonable amount of pressure to make a dent.
Use a long, sharp knife to slice some of the paper mache off the bottom of the balloon. You need to make a flat surface so the light can sit upright. Push a needle through the flat base of the paper mache to burst the balloon.
Cut out holes in the paper mache using a knife. Just push the knife through the paper mache and make whatever shape you want. Cut as many holes as you want, but make sure you make one hole big enough to put an AA battery and flashlight bulb through. Let the paper mache harden completely so it̵7;s solid.
Paint the paper mache using a paintbrush and colored paints. Paint any design and color you like. Let the paint dry.
Cut two strips of AWG wire 3 inches long using a knife. Remove 1/4 inch of plastic off the ends using wire strippers. Attach the end of one wire to one of the terminals on the flashlight bulb using a small strip of electrical tape. Attach the end of the other wire using the same method. Attach the opposite end of one of the wires to one of the AA battery terminals; it doesn̵7;t matter which one. Attach the opposite end of the other wire to the other battery terminal. The light should illuminate.
Put the battery and flashlight bulb carefully through one of the holes in the paper mache light.
Repeat the process to make as many paper mache lights as you want.