Paper Mache Tea Coasters

We come across a lot of things daily which we think are waste products and don’t hesitate to show them the way to dustbin, but they should be given a second chance and should be reused. From a long time I was thinking of making something with paper mache but my mind didn’t permit me to use old newspaper for that, as newspapers can be used for many other purposes too. Then I started storing egg cartons for paper mache.

I am a tea lover and at my place coffee mugs are always purchased in pairs, for me and the man in the house :). But often don't find coasters according to the mugs and when I find the matching one another problem is that what will I do with a set of six as I need only two pieces. So believing in the mantra of 'want it make it', before few days I made some coasters. Today I am going to share how I made some very beautiful tea coasters by using paper mache.

Items required for making paper pulp
1- Egg cartons (You can also use any paper or cartons)
2- Plaster of Paris
3- Water

Items required for making the final item
4- A plastic scale
5- Acrylic paint
6- A white paper
7- A pencil
8- Paint brushes

Step-1
Tear the egg cartons to small pieces and soak in water over night.

Step-2
Grind this along with water into a smooth paste.

Step-3
Strain this pulp, so that all water drains out. Squeeze out the water as much as possible.

Step-4
Mix paper pulp with plaster of paris in 2:1 ratio. Knead well for sometime.

Make a dough like this. It will not become completely smooth like flour dough.

Step-5

Draw the required shape on paper.

Step-6
Fill the shapes with paper pulp.

Step-7
Flatten it properly with wet hands, so that it's surface becomes smooth.

Step-8
Now using a plastic scale give the impressions of a leaf. Leave it to dry for a complete day (You can give any shape and size).

Step-9
Now paint it with your desired colours. I painted them according to my coffee mugs.

After painting it allow the paint to dry for few minutes and then it's ready to use.Don't wash these, they can be wiped and cleaned with a damp cloth.By using three egg cartons I made six coasters and some other items too (That's a suspense ;) ).

So use less amount of cartons if you don't want to make so many items.Those items are coming soon on blog. :) :)

Have a look on the other tea coasters that I have made. They are customized according to the coffee mugs.

Red button tea coasters...

And some round printed tea coasters....

Creating something by using a waste product brings immense satisfaction and joy to me. I keep on falling in love with them daily. :) :)

DIY Mosaic Bottle

Mosaic art is an art form in which different images are created by assembling small pieces of colored stone, glass or any other material. We can also find out many Mosaic art ideas on net. From a long time I was wondering of making one Mosaic art by using small colored square shaped stone or small tiles. But couldn't find them and then the idea remained dormant *sad*. But on a Saturday evening suddenly the creative juices started flowing and on the next day I made something that I am gonna share with you all today. 

I am obsessed with a lot items which you will gradually come across *smile*...one of those is collecting glass bottles of different shapes and sizes *smile*. I had collected three bottles(they look so attractive) from a friend, in one I have planted a money plant and other two were lying unused. So two of my obsession dominated my creativity and here is the result.

Items required are: 

1- Broken Clay Pot
2- Any Glass Bottle
3- White Portland Cement
4- A sponge piece or cloth piece
5- Glue (I used the regular Fevicol)
6- Hammer to break the clay pot into pieces
7- Acrylic Paints
8- Paint Brush
9- Water
10- A Pot and a Spoon for Mixing White Cement
11- Some Pebbles

(Made this in so hurry that I forgot to keep some items here, while taking the picture. I hope you all will understand.)

Step-1

Break the clay pot into small pieces by using the hammer. Take out those pieces which you think are good to be used.

Step-2

Figure out a design in mind and then stick the pebbles and the clay pot pieces accordingly by using fevicol. If you have glue gun you can use that, I think it will perform the task faster. As I used fevicol it took around one hour to completely dry.

Step-3

Mix white cement with water in 3:2 ratio.

Step-4

Apply the white cement mixture on the bottle in between the pebble and clay pieces. This is a messy job.

Step-5

Wipe out the extra white cement by using a wet the sponge. You may have to repeat the process by washing the sponge again and again. Wipe out white cement from the clay pieces carefully.

Step-6

Once it is done..leave it to dry for a whole day under the sun. (I have not added the clay pieces at the top portion of the bottle as there were thread marks and the clay pieces were not sticking properly but it was looking blank so I covered it in the next step.)

Step-7

Once it is ready paint the clay pieces by using acrylic paint according to your colour choice. And then its ready. 

I have never thought that it will turn out so beautiful. I am very happy with the end result. I had some more pieces and some white cement left. So made these coaster also. 

Another thing I want to share from my personal experience that if you are making anything with plaster of Paris or white cement don't forget to wash your hand properly and apply sufficient moisturizer, otherwise it makes your hand very rough and dry.

Your feed backs are always welcome*smile*.