Recycle
With Paper Mache
Let’s
Keep That Junk Out Of Our Oceans
We love paper mache (aka papier mache) here at WoS HQ. It really is the art of recycling. We’ve managed to trap all kinds of nasties inside a shell of really strong paper and, while it’s not actually getting rid of the problem, it’s keeping it out of our oceans.
Another great thing about it is that you never run out of unique gift ideas for family and friends. I bet that person you know who has everything doesn’t have a papier mache Great White Shark crashing through his bathroom ceiling. Okay, neither do I – yet. It’s on my ‘to do’ list though.
Paper Mache Elephant
Mr Wellington Tusk
Our ele is a giant money box. He was made for the Bushcamp Company in South Luangwa, Zambia, to help raise funds for their community projects and wildlife conservation. To make him we recycled paper, cardboard, old bed linen, broken coat hangers, plastic bottles and single use plastic bags.
Dolphin
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Our dolphin sculpture was made to look like he’s crashing through a wall with water gushing into the room. His name is Flippit. Well, everyone calls their dolphin Flipper, don't they? We wanted to be different, besides, Flippit is the a polite version of some of the names he was given during the tooth-making phase;)
To make Flippit we recycled cardboard, paper, bed sheets, plastic and he even has a tuna can in his mouth. I wanted to make him a paper mache fish but I was told that would make him look too savage. Hmm. We used kitchen towel for the water gushing through the hole in the wall but I’ve decided that doesn’t quite work for me so he’s up on top of a wardrobe waiting to be reworked. |
 Flippit |
 Karen with Edgar Allan 'Po |
Hippo
This is Edgar Allan Hippo, or Edgar Allan 'Po to his mates. He has recycled a piece of old Masonite, an old tablecloth, paper, cardboard and loads of single use plastic bags. Getting up close and personal Here's me having a cuddle with him. The intention was to give you a better idea of his size, but it actually makes him look smaller than he is. It must be |
Fish
 Striped Fish |
 Blue Fish |
Annemarie recycled disposable plastic party plates and a cardboard cereal box to make these pretty little guys. They were quick and easy to do and they look great in the bathroom.
These fish are a project kids could
easily get involved with too. She even used someone’s leftover
wallpaper pasted to do the paper mache. Yes, even stuff like that
goes down drains or leaches through landfill and ends up in the
ocean.
Baboon
 Gawie |
This is Gawie. To make him we recycled a two litre plastic bottle, some old coat hangers, newspapers, a plastic yoghurt pot and even the bristles of an old paintbrush to make his whiskers and eyelashes. Most of the paint and varnish we use is left over from someone’s decorating project. This helps them to dispose of it safely and we get free materials for our art. Score! When I can figure out how to squeeze more than 24 hours into a day I’m going to be working on some shark art, so watch this space.
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Return to Save our Sharks from Paper Mache
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You can see more of out recycled art on our Creative Paper Mache Facebook page