Papier Mache

Here I go with another art or craft that is quite environmental friendly called as – PAPIER MACHE. The art of Papier Mache, like many other art forms, is an individual expression and there is no right or wrong ways to do things.

History of Papier Mâché

Despite the French sounding name, Papier Mâché was not made in France until the mid 17th century. However, they were the first country in Europe to do so. 

Papier mache actually originates from China; the inventors of paper itself. They used papier mache to make helmets of all things, which they toughened by many layers of lacquer. 

From China, the interest in papier mache spread to Japan and Persia, where it was used in mask making and festival activities. Eventually it spread across the world. Large imports of papier mache objects swamped European markets. This in turn led France to start making its own wares, and England followed suit in the 1670s. There was only a half-hearted interest until the late 1700s and into the 1800s, when it became widely used. 

Papier Mache (French for “chewed paper”) is believed to have got its name from French workers in London papier mache shops who did just that! Whether this is actually true or not we shall probably never know. The manufacturers didn’t seem to mind this idea being put about - possibly because it gave them the chance to hide their true methods and recipes, some of which little is known about even today.

These days we have different by-products to recycle, but a much more serious reason for using them. With landfill sites are filling up and forests becoming bare of trees, the more we can do to prevent further damage to our planet the better.

Now a day’s am always lookout for throwaway items like newspapers, papers, magazines, useless CDs which I can use in my work.

I have created these bowls using newspapers.  These can be kept on dressing tables for keeping ear-rings, rings and other accessories.

Recycling not only saves money, but it also keeps our environment friendlier. 

Happy Recycling!!!