DIY: Paper Mache Heart Jewelry Dish

I wanted to create something in the spirit of Valentine's Day and I decided to make paper mache heart jewelry dishes created from cutout heart pieces. Super cute right? If you'd like to know how these dishes were created just continue reading.

Materials needed for this project include: waxed paper, saran wrap, heart shaped glass or ceramic bowl, decoupage paper (newspaper, scrapbook paper, etc.), paper mache paste (crafters choice), glossy modge podge, paint brushes and heart punch

INSTRUCTIONS

FYI: I did not take pictures for every step in this project as I felt some of the steps were self-explanatory and did not need an image. Just make sure that when reading instructions you correlate the instruction number to the appropriate picture number.

1) Prep decoupage paper - using heart hole punch, punch holes into your decoupage paper making more pieces than needed. You don't want to run out of heart pieces while in the middle of the project

2) Prep paper mache paste - I used 1/3 white Elmer’s glue and 2/3 water. If you have another paper mache paste recipe feel free to substitute it here just remember to mix well and that you make the paste more on the watery side than the pasty side

3) Cover work area with wax paper. Make sure work surface is flat and smooth (the purpose of this step is to protect your work area from any spilled glue, plus it will also provide easy clean up when done)

4) Take saran wrap and wrap around bowl making sure that saran wrap is as smooth as possible

5) Place bowl upside down on wax paper 

6) Gathering heart pieces, glue and paintbrush - glue heart pieces of paper to bowl by dipping pieces into paper mache paste or brush paste onto heart pieces and place onto bowl. Smooth paper out to make sure there are no air bubbles (I initially tried to keep it clean and use the paintbrush but towards the middle I started using my hands and dipped the pieces into the glue – so much for keeping it clean)

7) Layer pieces of paper until jewelry dish has the dimensions that you like. There is no need for drying time between layers since it’s only going to get wet again when the next layer is applied

8) Once jewelry dish is fully covered (2-3 layers of hearts) - let dry completely, preferably overnight 

9) Now that jewelry dish is completely dry, carefully remove mold from bowl and peel away the saran wrap

10) Seal with glossy modge podge and let dry (I used two coats on both the top and bottom of the jewelry dish)

And there you have it, heart shaped paper mache jewelry dishes made out of hearts.

What colors are you going to use? Until next time, allow inspiration to find you!