Gold Leaf Paper Mâché Bowls

Materials:

Gold Leaf Paper
Newspaper
Matte Modge Podge
Balloons
Gold Leaf Adhesive
Gold Leaf Sealer
Paint Brush
Foam Paintbrush
Scissors
Acrylic Paint

I thought this was a good DIY/craft for Valentine’s Day, whether you are boycotting Valentine’s day or cleaning your favorite Valentine’s day sweater, you know the one with the red and silver felt hearts. 😉 Anyway I really enjoyed making the gold leaf paper mâché bowls. The results were beautiful and the possibilities are endless. They make great catch alls for jewelry, keys, affirmations, bobby pins…etc. I can even picture them in different sizes on top of a fireplace or even in shadow boxes displayed as art.

To create the gold leaf paper mâché bowls, you need to first make newspaper strips. Next you need to choose what size bowl you want, this would determine the size of your balloon. After blowing up the balloon, take the foam paint brush and apply modge podge to the balloon to adhere the newspaper to the balloon. Be generous with the modge podge and applying the newspaper strips. You are making a bowl, so think thick. Take you time and have fun. Patience is everything with this project. After applying enough layers, put your balloon aside to let it dry overnight.

Can you tell I like to create different picture effects…lol.

The next day pop the balloon. You should be left with a bowl with imperfect edges. I personally liked the imperfect edges. Use your scissors to trim the bowl down to your liking. Paint the bowl whatever color of your choice with acrylic paint. Paint it inside and out. Let it dry. Then get excited because the real fun begins…..applying the gold leaf paper. First thing first, apply the gold leaf adhesive with a paint brush or the foam paint brush. A little bit goes a long way, so don’t over do it. Put the bowl aside for about 15 mins until the inside of the bowl feels tacky and the adhesive is no longer white. Then place the gold leaf inside the bowl securing it to the adhesive. Don’t worry about overlapping, be gentle and use a soft paintbrush to remove excess. After applying the gold leaf paper and the inside of the bowl is smooth, apply a layer of the gold leaf sealer and let dry.
You did it!! You now have a beautiful gold leaf paper mâché bowl.

Nia Junkie