Crafting a Paper Mache Moon

Table of Contents

Introduction

Have you ever found yourself with some giant pieces of cardboard and wondered what to do with them? Well, I had that exact dilemma recently. I couldn’t bear to part with these unusual finds, so I asked my friend Jacks, “Do you want to make a giant moon?” And that’s precisely what we did!

Supplies Needed

To embark on this creative project, gather the following materials:

Giant cardboard
Plastic grocery bags
Masking tape
Cereal boxes or thin cardboard
Paper towels
Acrylic paint (Black, white, grey, glow in the dark)
Paintbrushes
Mirror hanging wire
Hot glue
Scissors
Newspaper
Paper mache paste (equal parts flour/water)

Shaping the Moon

Begin by drawing a large circle on the giant cardboard and cutting it out. Now, let’s shape our moon! Start building layers using plastic grocery bags. Attach the bags with masking tape. We initially created a ring around the outer side of the circle and continued building from there. As we ran out of grocery bags, we switched to kraft packing paper, the kind that comes with your Amazon packages. I always keep it because it’s so handy! Keep layering and building until you have a small hill. Ensure that the entire moon is covered in masking tape to prevent any paste leakage or mold issues. Keep taping, my friend!

Creating Craters

To add an extra touch of authenticity to our paper mache moon, we turned to pictures of the actual moon’s surface. I had Jacks look at them and decide where he wanted to place the craters. We cut thin pieces of cardboard from cereal boxes and loosely formed circles. We then attached these circles to the moon’s surface using tape. To achieve a realistic effect, randomly place different sizes of craters until you’re satisfied. Fill the craters with crumpled paper towels, and then cover the entire crater with tape to ensure everything is well enclosed.

Adding Layers with Paper Mache

Now it’s time to mix up a batch of paper mache paste and start adding layers of newspaper. We recommend doing around three layers in total, making sure to let each layer dry thoroughly before adding the next one. We placed our moon out in the sun, and it dried within 30 minutes.

Hanging the Moon

Once all the layers have dried, it’s time to add the hanging wire. Poke two holes on the back side of the moon and insert the wire. Keep the tension tight to prevent the moon from leaning out from the wall. After achieving the desired tension, secure the wire by adding hot glue to the hole and the surrounding area. Leave it to dry completely.

Painting the Moon

Now comes the fun part – painting! Start by applying a base coat of white paint. From there, you can let your creativity soar. Take inspiration from pictures of the moon’s surface and replicate the dark and light areas. Experiment with mixing different colors. To bring out the texture and imperfections on your moon, try a final dry brush coat using your chosen color. And for an extra touch of magic, add dots of glow-in-the-dark paint. Trust me, it really does glow! Remember, each moon will be unique, so have fun with it!

The Final Touch

After everything has dried, it’s time to proudly hang your magnificent moon in your room. Let it become a captivating centerpiece, bringing a touch of celestial wonder to your space.