Paper Mache

Mixing

• Add 32 oz. of warm water into 1 lb of CelluClay, mixing in a large bowl or zip lock bag.

• Knead with fingers until CelluClay reaches the consistency of clay or stiff dough with no dry spots.

• Add more dry CelluClay if mixture is too wet or soft; add more water if CelluClay is too dry or stiff.

Optional Additive

• When faster set-up time is desired, mix a small amount of plaster into your mix. That ratio might be around 1 part plaster to 5 parts of water that you have added (1 oz of plaster to every 5 oz of water)

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Drying

• Allow CelluClay to air dry completely; usually overnight or 24 hours. Humidity level will impact drying time. Celluclay will feel room temperature when dry.

• Speed up drying time by placing CelluClay projects in a 190 to 200 degree Fahrenheit oven. Allow project to bake for several hours or complete drying.

General Tips

• While mixing, paint can be added to the mixture, if desired, to achieve a colored material.

• When dry, CelluClay can be drilled, sanded, nailed and sawed.

• Gray CelluClay needs to have a basecoat of acrylic paint brushed or sprayed on it prior to painting on your finished colors and designs.

• Mixed CelluClay can be stored in the refrigerator for several weeks if kept in an air-tight container or seasled air-tight in a plastic bag.

• You can press rubber stamps or other texture making tools into the CelluClay while it is still wet.

• To prevent sticky hands, add a few drops of liquid laundry detergent.

• Working with wet finger will also help to keep the CelluClay from sticking to your fingers while working.

• To smooth the CelluClay out, wet a finger or tool with water and gently wipe an area that you are working on.

• Objects, like cardboard, google eyes, stones and anything else you might think of can be "set" into the CelluClay while it is wet.

Tools

• Add details to CelluClay surface while wit with fingers, stamps or modeling tools (an ordinary pencil works too).

• After drying, use tools to saw, sand, drill, carve and paint using virtually any color medium.

• Basic tools needed are:

  • Water

  • Paper Towels or Newspaper

  • Slick working surface

  • A place to dry your work out of the way.

Armatures

• Styrofoam shapes, crumped newspaper, cardboard, wire mesh, tubes, boxes, fired clay pots, latex balloons, cans, etc. al can serve a armatures.

• To create hollowware, wrap and armature in aluminum foil or plastic wrap before covering with CelluClay. While wet, use a knife to score form deeply so that when almost dry, the two halves can be separated. After completely dry, rejoins the two halves with glue, tape or more CelluClay.

• For plastic molds, coat the inside of the mold with liquid detergent thinned with water. Use firm CelluClay and press CelluClay into the lowest parts of the mold first, then work to fill the mold completely. Loosen the edges and flip out the CelluClay to dry.

Finishing

• Add paint color or dry paint to CelluClay while mixing to eliminate paint work after project is dry.

• Metal leafing can be done once dry.

• To achieve a sculpture patina look, use thin washes of variegated paint colors, reapply as the project dries. When dry, sand highlights and polish surface with paper towels. Apply wax or varnish to complete.

• Once dry, embellishments such as buttons, feathers, rhinestones, beads, yarn, crepe paper, glitter, etc. may be adhered to CelluClay with glue.

• Seal finished projects with shellac, varnish, clear acrylic nail polish or other sealers, as desired.

• Weather resistant sealers may be used to protect finished projects from water.