How to Add a Nose to a Paper Mache Head

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Things You'll Need

  • Old newspapers, paper towels or toilet paper

  • Mixing bowl

  • Water

  • Blender

  • Flour

  • Small bowl

  • Large mixing spoon

  • Soda straws (optional)

  • Paints

  • Decoupage glue or clear spray paint

Old newspapers make great raw material for paper mache projects.

Making a paper maché head is as uncomplicated as laying glue-soaked paper over a balloon and popping the balloon with a pin when everything dries. With a few household implements and basic materials, you can create a masterpiece. Adding three-dimensional features like ears and noses will give that plain egg-shape more personality and set it apart from the merely painted versions around it. Be prepared to get a bit messy, however.

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Step 1

Tear old newspapers or other scrap paper into tiny pieces and place them in a large mixing bowl. Alternatively, you can use paper towels or toilet paper.

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Step 2

Pour just enough water over the paper to cover, and allow it to set overnight to soften. If using paper towels or toilet paper, you may only need to wait a few minutes.

Step 3

Drain excess water, then put the softened mixture into a blender and use short bursts to break it down into a mushy pulp.

Step 4

Unplug the blender.

Step 5

Remove the pulp from the blender and squeeze out all the water you can with your hands before putting it back into the mixing bowl.

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Step 6

Mix one part water and one part flour in a small bowl and mix it into a thick creamy consistency with a large mixing spoon.

Step 7

Pour some of the flour and water paste into the original bowl with the paper pulp and knead it together with your hands to form a clay-like dough--adding it only a little at a time so as not to make it runny.

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Step 8

Set the finished paper maché head "face side up" on a table, and prop it securely to keep it from rolling while you work.

Step 9

Use the paper maché dough to model a nose-shape on the face--making a sort of elongated triangle and using two short lengths of soda straw to keep nostrils open if desired.

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Step 10

Keep the face upright and allow it to dry completely.

Step 11

Paint as desired, then coat with acrylic decoupage glue or spray with clear paint to finish.

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