Make a Waterproof Paper Mache Mushroom for the Garden (Ultimate Paper Mache)

Today’s guest post is by Linda Bunnell, who made this life-like paper mache mushroom. She shows us how she made it and the product she used to make her mushroom weatherproof so it could stay outside.

I haven’t seen anyone using this product before, and I haven’t tested it myself, but it certainly opens up some exciting opportunities for experiments.

Thanks, Linda, for sharing this article with us!

How I Made My Waterproof Paper Mache Mushroom

Here are the steps by which I made my mushroom.

Supplies:

Some of the items I used to create my paper mache mushroom

I used:

9 1/2″ plastic plate I bought at a thrift store, (you could also use a plastic bowl of the size you choose)
water bottle , (you could substitute a Pringles can ,etc)
plaster
plaster cloth
masking tape
newspapers
paper pulp
Rust-Oleum LeakSeal
Acrylic paint

Step 1:

Mix water & plaster & fill the bottle 1/3 – 1/2 full. Set aside to dry.

Step 2:

Wad up newspaper & tape to your plate until you get the desired shape of your mushroom cap , be sure to make a roll over the edge of the plate for the bottom edge of your cap.

Creating the cap for paper mache mushroom.

Step 3:

Next cut a piece of cardboard to fit the inside of cap ( note black lines in photo). Find the center of your cardboard & cut a X to fit the plastic bottle & insert it cap first & tape & hot glue securely.

Cut cardboard as shown.

Step 4:

Cut strips of plaster cloth & wrap the bottle

Attaching plastic bottle to cardboard and cap of mushroom.

Wrap stem with plaster cloth.

Step 5:

Cover your mushroom & stem with paper mache (strips or pulp). Let dry completely. This may take a while. Don’t forget to make your gills under the cap. (Note from Jonni – you could also use paper mache clay, or find a recipe for paper pulp here.)

Add paper mache strips of paper pulp to mushroom.

Step 6 (optional):

At this point you can coat your mushroom with a thin coat of Patch if you like a very smooth look. Let dry.

Use patching plaster to smooth surface.

Step 7:

After drying, spray with water sealer & let dry. You may coat it 2-3 times letting dry completely each time & making sure you get in all the cracks and crevices.

Waterproofing paper mache with several coats of Rust-Oleum LeakSeal.

Step 8:

Now you are ready for painting. Use acrylic paint, a variation of near the same color , dark , medium & light. I chose Asphaltum brown, Raw Sienna & Buttermilk. I also used Antiquing gel & blending gel.

After painting spray a couple coats of a clear sealer.

The completed paper mache mushroom, after sealing and painting.

Hope you have enjoyed this post. Please let me know how you did. Would love to hear from you.

Thanks , Linda