Paper mache is good for my brain and spirit. It requires just enough attention – all those little pieces of paper – It’s a very effective antidote to stress and anxiety and good for percolating ideas – my hands are busy and my mind wanders gently around. It takes me a little while to settle into it but it never fails to bring a quietness and presentness – a sense of equanimity- whatever might be swirling around me. I think its meditation sneaking up on me.
I’m building ships and boats – besides the psychological benefits I miss having them around – I’m currently ship-less. The large ship above is made using this pattern with a couple modifications to the side and back templates. I’ve started the second layer of newsprint over the first of brown paper. I don’t usually wait for one layer to dry before starting the next and 2 layers should be enough for this ship.
The very mini boat below is an experiment – I wondered if the little felt boat pattern template would also work as a paper mache armature – it does! I taped it together with lots of masking tape and added two coats of paper mache. It’s so little the paper mache part was quick – about 15 minutes per layer.
If I was starting over I would have made the little boat 10% bigger – it shrunk a bit when it dried so t’s a tight fit for the gentleman sailor mouse I made to captain it (find the free pattern here). He’s fancy – with his lace ascot and looks pretty pleased with things.
P.S. – if you’ve never tried paper mache you can find a free project here and another here – both are a good place to start.
Soulfood!
I love your boats so much.I bought the patterns and have had so much fun making them. It is a very meditative process and I love choosing the paper and the paint that will give each boat its character. Now I have to make some animals to sail them!
Well. If that little boat and sailor gentleman isn’t just the cutest thing.
I have learned to take meditation in whatever form I can get it. It comes easiest for me when, like you, I am in the middle of contemplative creating with repetitive motions. Quiet also helps.
And thank you for the paper cache links!
I totally agree, but then find that most crafting is for me a form of meditating. I like to lose myself in whatever my current crafting fad is. I made a few little boats following your instructions and they look amazing… But you have triggered an idea in my head this morning so I now have a project in mind
of ships and dreams and angel wings! (I thought from the top photo that you were building an angel
Thank you so much, he is lovely. A good idea for little gifts, with your name mentioned of course.
As for the papier mache, I must agree with you, there is nothing as good as all that sticky mess and then ending with a beautiful creation. You’re a true artist.
I used you tea cup pattern and was pleased with the results. Thanks you, Paula