Paper Sculptures

You don't have to spend a lot of money to make these cool paper sculptures. All you need are some recycled papers and a vivid imagination.

Time frame: One to two hours plus several hours to dry

Level: Easy

What you need:

• Newspapers
• Markers
• Scissors
• Stapler
• White glue
• Foam dish or paper plate
• Tissue paper or wrapping paper
• Dowel
• Glue gun
• Drill
• Wooden plaque

1. Think of a shape you'd like to make for this project. Draw an outline of that shape onto four layers of newspaper and cut it out (through the four layers of paper). You might want to start with a simple fish, or you could copy a coloring book design. Make your design approximately 8 x 10 inches.
2. Staple the edges of the four newspaper cutouts of your design together, leaving a three-inch area unstapled to add stuffing.
3. Crumple newspaper into small balls, and stuff the design to give it dimension. Once the design is stuffed, finish stapling the open edge.
4. Mix about 1⁄₄ cup of white glue with 2 tablespoons of water on a foam dish or paper plate. Cut or rip pieces of tissue paper or wrapping paper into small strips. Dip the paper strips into the glue mixture and glue them onto the design. Cover the design with at least two layers of paper strips. Allow it to dry overnight.
5. Cut a small hole in the bottom of the fish and glue the dowel into the hole using a glue gun.
6. Using a drill, make a 1⁄₄-inch hole in the middle of the wooden plaque. Glue the end of the dowel into the hole. If desired, you could stain and/or varnish the plaque and dowel.

Excerpted from The Complete Idiot's Guide to Making Great Gifts © 2001 by Marilee LeBon. All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. Used by arrangement with Alpha Books, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

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