DIY Network

Paper Pulp Clay Sculpt with puréed paper. From "B. Original" episode DBOR-502

Get sculpting with puréed paper pulp.

Some crafters shred and pulp paper to make new, handmade papers – Michele Beschen does it to make a type of clay.

The B. Original host shows how to transform a sack of shredded paper into a clay-like modeling medium that's perfect for adding texture to grapevine wreaths, simple shapes and even tree branches. Scroll down to get started with this new way to recycle paper.

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Paper Pulp Clay

Materials:

5 cups shredded paper
6-7 cups water
3 Tbs. sawdust
4 Tbs. white glue
2 Tbs. linseed oil
4 Tbs. wallpaper paste for unpasted wallpaper
fabric dye
rubber or plastic gloves
large pot
large bowl
blender
stove

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E

Note: Michele Beschen recommends using distilled water to keep your paper pulp from developing a musty smell.

• Mix the water and shredded paper in a large pot.

• Heat the mixture on the stove. Bring the mixture to a boil and let it boil for 20 minutes.

• Remove the pot from the heat and let the mixture cool.

• Pour the mixture into blender (figure A).

• Add the sawdust, white glue, linseed oil and wallpaper paste (figure B).

• Put the blender lid on tightly and blend the mixture until there are no signs of the paper. The mixture will be very thick; you may need to stop the blender periodically to stir. The mixture is ready when it has a pulpy consistency.

• Pour the mixture into a large bowl and add a package of fabric dye.

• Wearing a pair of rubber or plastic gloves, work the dye into the mixture until the color is uniform throughout (figure C).

• Remove as much water as possible from the pulp mixture: Squeeze out the pulp thoroughly by hand, then press it against a fine screen such as a splatter screen (figure D).

• The new paper pulp will be workable for a day or two. To make it last a little longer, seal it in a plastic bag or other airtight container.

• Mold the tinted pulp in small, greased containers or use it to cover anything from grapevine wreaths to plastic foam balls.

• Michele Beschen likes to apply the pulp to small, smooth branches (figure E). The pulp beefs up the branches and adds an interesting texture — at a fraction of the cost of embellished branches at art or hobby stores. You also can create your own armatures for pulp sculptures from wire or even newspaper wrapped with tape.

• Give pulp projects a couple of days to dry, then put them out on display. It’s an inexpensive – and addictive – art touch for your décor.