Blue Jay in a Pear Tree
Paper Mache Trug
8" long x 5" wide by 5" tall

Garden Trug with Caterpillar
Paper Mache
15" long x 8" wide x 9" tall

I've started making paper mache pieces again after a fairly long break. When I was living in Chicago I did a number of craft shows every year with my paper mache, showing things that ranged from very tiny bowls to functional tables. Now I'm back at it. My process is very slow but, to me, very satisfying. I recently finished the two trug pieces above. They are made with newspaper and white glue layered over scrap cardboard armatures. The faux bois details and handles are made with paper pulp or paper clay. I sand and gesso and paint with lots of drying time between stages. On these two pieces the decoration is decoupaged. The art is taken from two of my watercolors. The finished pieces are light weight, durable and water resistant.