I did fill the plaster mold all the way. The material will shrink as the plaster pulls the water out of the Li Qua Che.

I have seen her videos, and I think she has used a version of paper mache clay in them. My recipe sticks to plaster, but maybe she found a way to keep that from happening.

Cats have so many different personalities - that's what makes them so special. Your new cat probably just needs more time to feel safe. :)

You can find the pattern here: www.ultimatepapermache.com/pig Have fun!

Yes, you can double the recipe. If your mixer has trouble mixing a large batch, you can use a paint mixing attachment on an electric drill.

I haven't been able to test it with Wurth, but several people have tried it, and they say it works really well. When you leave out the PVA Elmer's glue, you don't get that weird stiffness or rubbery lumps - just nice paper mache clay. :)

They sell them at any home improvement or DIY store, like Lowes or Home Depot. They're normally used for insulation.

Yes, you can do that. We do it all the time. 😊

@UltimatePaperMache , thank you SO much!!! I made my first batch today but I must have left too much water in my TP because it took a LOT of flour to make it just ok to spread.... we'll see! I'm excited to venture further into this and really appreciate your sharing so very much!! I'm making each of my Grandkids their favorite animal (a mask type hanging) for Christmas 🎁

Sure you can, if you don't need it to be stiff enough to hold up the sculpture. It would make your finished project a lot lighter, so I think it's a great idea. :)

@ thank you. I always get it in packages and I don’t want to through it away.

I almost never use a balloon for an armature, because they constantly change their shape, and that can cause either wrinkling or cracking of the paper mache. But if you really want to use one, you'd probably have better luck using a layer of paper strips first. The paper mache clay would probably just slip off the rubber, so you'd have to put it on just one fairly small area at a time, and let it dry.

I haven't tried it, and I don't know how it would affect the paste. It would be an interesting experiment, though. If you try it, let us know what you learn. :)

You can keep it for a few days in the fridge, but whenever you mix water with flour, yeast will eventually make it go sour. It's really best to make a small batch that can be used in a day or two, and then make a new batch.

@ thank you for answering so quickly! I cannot wait to continue my project 💖

I haven't tried that particular method for making paper mache, although I do use my paper mache clay recipe often. I always use it in a fairly thin layer over an armature, though. If you mix your paper with glue and then use it as a solid mass, instead of putting it over something like a cup or armature, I'm not sure if it would ever dry completely on the inside. You might want to try it, though, to see if it works.

It shrinks a little, like any air-dry clay, but I don't really notice it when I'm making a mask or sculpture with it. What will you be using it for?

I don't have a video about that guy, but I do have a video about the process of making him. And the one on my wall inspired me to write a whole book about "fast faces." You can see the original video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bn3XeHmqg7GHhZo

I don't know - I'm not an expert in concrete products, and I can't purchase everything in the store. (I can't even lift most of the bags! 🙂 But Portland cement is a very common product, so it shouldn't be difficult to find. If you have some other cement product, go ahead and experiment with it. And if it works, be sure to let us know!

I haven't had that problem, but the kind of bugs that like paper mache don't seem to live in our climate. Not inside, anyway. I think the crickets would be happy to munch on a paper mache sculpture, but they stay outside. A lot of people who live in hotter, humid climates do have problems with bugs and rodents eating paper mache, no matter what kind of sealer they use.

@ Thank you for your prompt reply. I truly appreciate it.

Titebond III wood glue is water resistant. If you're going to wear a mask out in a rainstorm, don't dilute the glue. After you paint it, you might want to protect the paint with a spray varnish. But I find that paper mache will eventually soften if it's wet for very long, even if seal it.

If you're designing your masks with clay over a mask form or mannequin, you could fill out the shape of your glasses first, and then add all the mask details over it. Or make an oversized mask with a cap on the back, so the face of the mask can be held away from your face.

@@UltimatePaperMache thank you!

Great - let us know how your experiment turns out! 🙂

I will!!