Thursday, November 13, 2014

Paper Pulp, Silver Foil Belznickle Ornaments

These papier-mâché ornaments look much older than they
really are.
Supply List:
  • silver foil spray paint
  • acrylic paints: red, green, black, blue, white, flesh tone and brown
  • masking tape
  • paper pulp (Celluclay)
  • newspaper, newsprint
  • permanent ink marker
  • Acrylic varnish
Step-by-Step Instructions:
  1. Crush newsprint into the rough shapes of standing figures. You needn't add any detail as of yet. The details are made with the Celluclay after the newsprint has been covered completely with masking tape.
  2. Mask with tape the entire figure.
  3. Now take a permanent ink pin and roughly mark on your figures where the face, arms, tree and hoods should be. You can also rough in the features of your Belznickle.
  4. Add a wire hook to the backside of each figure with glue and masking tape. Make sure this sticks out a bit after you have added pulp around it.
  5. Mix together the Celluclay with a bit of warm water. If the mixture is too loose add more pulp; if the mixture is too dry add more water.
  6. Add a couple of Tablespoons of glue to the mixture to make it extra tacky.
  7. Shape the features of your Belznickle with the Celluclay. It will stick to the surface of the masking tape quite easily. You will need to let the front side of your Belznickle dry in a warm place for a few days before sculpting on the backside of the figures. As you may have guessed these ornaments are best made during the warmer times of the year.
  8. After the Belznickles have dried, you may spray paint them with silver foil paint. Do this in a well ventilated area, like a garage. Also put the figures inside of a large box while you spray. This will prevent the paint from floating onto the surface of something that you do not intend to cover with silver foil paint.
  9. When these little guys have dried, paint them with acrylic paints. Let them dry again.
  10. Varnish the figures with acrylic varnish and string them with a wire or ribbon for hanging.
This is what Celluclay looks like before and after you mix it with water and a bit of glue.

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