Paper mache on a balloon help.

[kohl]

It seemed so easy in school. I'm trying to use the white glue method instead of flour, on a balloon. Everytime I apply newspaper, I come back later and all the pieces have sunk torwards the ground :( Is the flour method better? Should I let the glue sit in a bowl for a bit? I'm trying to make panels for a head.

[bloodredruby]

The main problem with applying newspaper paper mache to a balloon is the smooth texture of the paper itself, not neccessarily the choice between glue or flour-paste, especially if you used any "shiny paper" ie most of the store flyers that you'd find in a newspaper these days.

My suggestion would be to switch to either paper towel or toilet paper. It is more maleable once soaked with your goo of choice, can be made to be much smoother, and because of the softer, more fabric-like texture to the paper, it adheres to itself and other things much more easily than regular paper or newsprint.

I've often been thwarted by newspaper paper mache, but paper towel or tp paper mache has never failed for me.

I hope that helps!

[kohl]

I'll give it a shot. I figured TP would turn to goo. Maybe brush it on... :-\ i'll check for paper towel aswell.

[bloodredruby]

It can turn to goo, it just depends on how much you saturate it with your glue.

If you are using straight up white glue, it can be a little difficult to do, I would suggest watering the glue down a little so that you have a thinner solution, less viscous. Then you can either dip for thorough saturation and a more uniform finished texture, or you can brush the glue on to the balloon, add the strip of paper, then brush over top of it with the glue, for a more textured finished product.