Papier-mache vases can become an original and functional subject of interior decoration. Such an element can be made independently with a minimum expenditure of time and money. With a little effort, you will realize any imagination and pick up any shape and finish for your product.
Types of vases from papier-mâché
Everyone from childhood remembers that the papier-mâché technique involves the manufacture of an item’s case from newspapers soaked in PVA glue. Therefore, many people think that such things are impractical, too fragile and look messy. In fact, any papier-mâché vase photo indicates otherwise.
A newspaper vase can be made quite functional. And if you take a glass or plastic bottle as the basis for the form and do not remove it, then you can fill in the product with water and put fresh flowers.
A floor vase from papier-mâché can decorate any room. You can make the design sturdy and practical. If you additionally create a frame made of wire, vine or cardboard, then the product will stand upright and withstand heavy loads.
Vases for fruits, bulk items or cookies can be of any shape, color and design. Additional frames for their strengthening are not necessary, it is enough to create a quality form from paper and paint it over.
Necessary tools and materials
To make a papier-mâché vase, you must first prepare the necessary tools and materials. These include:
- a form for creating a vase body;
- newspapers and white paper (their number depends on the dimensions of the future product);
- PVA glue;
- stationery and paint brushes of various sizes;
- cling film or bag;
- varnish with a glossy effect for coating;
- gouache.
Do-it-yourself vases from papier-mâché can be decorated with any decorative elements. Therefore, it is worth choosing a material for decoration so that it fits the general design of the room. Beads, pebbles, decorative glass, ribbons, lace, fabric, metal elements, etc. may be suitable. Several options for finishing materials can be combined within the same product.
Manufacturing technique
A papier-mâché vase is made according to the following algorithm:
- The mold for the product is wrapped on the outside with cling film. Such a protective layer will make it possible to easily remove coarse paper without damage.
- Glue is bred with water. It is worth adhering to the following proportion: dilute one part of the glue with three parts of water.
- Tearing newspapers. In this case, you should have both small pieces and long rectangular ones. Small pieces are the basis of the form, and large ones will strengthen the frame.
- Long pieces of newspapers are dipped in diluted glue and stacked tightly in a circular shape.
- When the first layer dries a little, you need to lay the next. There should be at least eight such layers.
- After complete drying, the outside should be glued with pieces of white paper. Carefully pull the product out of the mold and glue it with white paper inside (all this dries up for about a day).
- The basis is to cover with gouache. The color is best chosen in accordance with further decoration.
- After 2 hours, the gouache will dry and then it will be possible to treat the surface with varnish.
Other decorative elements can be attached with a glue gun already on the dried varnish.
Vase decoration methods
A papier-mâché vase can be decorated in different ways. The main thing is to consider the functional purpose of the decor element. So, on the prepared form, you can crochet a cover or knitting needles, picking up an interesting pattern.
You can wrap the surface in a circle with tape, thread or twine. Using different colors and textures, you can create a pattern or applique. The thread can become the basis for further decoration.
A vase of newspapers and paper can be glued with beads, decorative coins, stones. The budget option will be disks cut into small pieces, which are laid on the surface in the form of a mosaic.
Those who know how to work with polymer clay can create a whole composition on different topics. Additional elements can be metal rivets, decorative glass, rhinestones, etc.
Decoupage, a pattern laid out of eggshells, colored pasta, weaving from a vine - non-standard, but effective ways of decorating vases. It is worth choosing the right technique for yourself, and your product will become a real decoration of the room. Good luck