DIY PAPER BOWLS / PAPER CLAY As Seen on Marilyn Denis
October 20, 2021
DIY PAPER BOWLS / PAPER CLAY
Similar to Paper mache the only materials needed for this project are;
- Several mixing bowls
- Shredded paper ( cardboard )
- Flour
- salt
Instructions
- First start with some shredded paper, or if you do not have a paper shredder, you can cut paper into very small pieces. You can also use shredded cardboard, or even torn up egg cartons…whatever paper products you may have….dig through the recycling bin!
- Fill a small bucket about half way with paper (to make a large bowl or a few smaller ones) then pour hot water over the paper to fully cover and saturate it. Let the paper soak for a few hours or overnight.
- Using your hands break the paper apart as best as you can, and to create a finer pulp, use an immersion blender (to create a smooth pulp)
- Using a large strainer, or your hands, scoop up the pulp and squeeze out about 80% of the water and place the pulp in another bowl.
- To the “squeezed pulp” add about . amount of flour as pulp and mix together with your hands (similar to incorporating seasoning to ground beef J)mix until you have the consistency of coarse clay. Add a few tablespoons of salt (this will help the mixture from going moldy during the drying process)
- Choose a metal or ceramic bowl you want to use as a form and cover it in nonstick foil.
- Start covering the bowl with a layer of the pulp clay (about 1/5 ’’ thick) and try to create an even distribution by firmly pressing it down and molding it with your fingertips. Leave the edges rough for an organic look.
- You can let the bowl air dry for a week or more….however I am impatient, so I placed the bowl in my oven (or toaster oven)at 120 degrees to speed up the drying ( KEEP AN EYE ON IT ) It will take several hours, then gently let it sit undisturbed for several days to fully air dry. Once FULLY dry the paper will be very hard and durable. (this takes patience)
- Remove the bowl from the form and you can paint it if you wish, however I like the look of natural paper.
Information courtesy of CTV's The Marilyn Denis Show
