Wrap the patterned china in an old towel and hit it with a hammer to break it into mosaic-sized pieces. Prepare the papier maché (either following the recipe on the left or following the manufacturer's instructions. You can also check out our Papier Mache making tutorial page)
Cover your mould with plastic wrap and then spread a layer of papier maché pulp about 1cm/3/8in thick over the surface of the mould. Smooth the surface well with your fingers.
Begin applying the mosaic pieces by spreading PVA medium on the base of each piece and gluing them into place, working from the edge of the mould inwards.
Press the pieces into the pulp firmly, then wet the tip of the knife and press the pulp neatly over the edges of the mosaics to ensure that you don't leave any sharp edges.
Complete the entire mosaic in this way, then leave it to dry. You'll know it's ready when it's changed to a much lighter color.
Remove the mould when the top surface is completely dry and discard the plastic. Spread another layer of papier maché pulp on the underside of your creation to ensure a smooth finish, then leave it to dry.
When you're done, sand all rough surfaces to create a neat finish and paint all papier maché surfaces with the color of your choice. You can also add a coat of varnish for a shiny touch!
DID YOU KNOW?
Papier maché mosaics are great for plant covers to add a charming, personal touch! Remember, the pulp takes a long time to dry. It changes color and it’s a lot lighter when it's ready. |
