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View Full Version : Hammie Paper Mache Tutorial


DwarfNome
02-09-2011, 02:03 PM
I have been rather short of cash recently, and I was desperate to get some fun for my ham. I decided to make a tutorial on making a play/climb ground for your beloved ham!

Part 1: The Base
What you'll need:
Flour
Water
Bowl
Something to mix with
Toilet Paper
Newspapers (as coaster)
Cardboard (sturdy)
Tape (any kind)

You can really use any mold you would like, as long as your willing to get it dirty! I however decided on taping together cardboard, as it would be more customized :) Here is the base:
http://iaza.com/work/110210C/iaza17778834685200.jpg

Next, mixing the batch. You need 2 dl of water to even out 1 dl of flour, so you can really just decide on how much you need for the moment. I started with 2 dl of flour and four dl of water.
http://iaza.com/work/110210C/iaza17778885910100.jpg

Now lay out the newspaper over the table, make sure to have many extras as you will have to change it during the process.

Now dip the toilet paper in the mix, and start to lay it over a mold. When you have done a few layers, my best tip is to take a long strip and dip a bit in the end of it. Then lay the wet piece over the mold, and rip! then the wet paper will stay on, and the dry will not! then repeat.

As I said: This gets sticky!
http://iaza.com/work/110210C/iaza17778898799400.jpg

After doing a many few layers, lay it to dry. Come back later to add more layers and do this as long as it is needed and wanted.

Easy clean up!
http://iaza.com/work/110210C/iaza17778810323000.jpg

Part 1: The Base is finished!

Olive & Flurry's Mama
02-09-2011, 03:09 PM
Ooooh this is exciting! :eek:

Gillzy
02-09-2011, 04:03 PM
Do you plan on taking the cardboard out? Coz if you want to mold around something (say a bowl or tub) you could wrap it in cling film and mache as above and when its dry you can pull the tub out (I think).

Little housy is looking good :D

DwarfNome
02-10-2011, 01:16 PM
Update! the cardboard was a disaster, so here is the new Part 1: The Base!

Part 1: The Base!

What you'll need:
Flour
Water
Bowl
Something to mix with
Toilet Paper
Newspapers (as coaster)
Mold
Plastic bag or something alike

So! Here is my second try at the base, this time without the cardboard :rolleyes:

Chosen molds:
http://iaza.com/work/110211C/iaza18327398680900.jpg

After many layers:
http://iaza.com/work/110211C/iaza18327355851300.jpg

mangoandmimi
02-10-2011, 01:53 PM
looking good ;) i need to try this lol ;D

Kristin
02-12-2011, 10:08 AM
ooo this is interesting :)
Will have to try this soon. I'm sure my lil hammie would appreciate it :) xxx

Womblehands
02-12-2011, 11:39 AM
what about using a balloon? leave the top sticking out so it can be cut at the end and the innards pulled out. Would make a nice little hut

Georgey
02-13-2011, 05:37 AM
Can I ask what DL stands for? :confused: Looks really good! Could you use newspaper instead of toilet paper too?

Iluvhamsters
02-13-2011, 06:07 AM
Looks great :)

Nappo
02-13-2011, 06:16 AM
Hey,

yeah with a ballon it works great xD But we use only water and toilettpaper, you dont need flour XD Here a few examples:
Hamsterboard.de | Bastelarbeiten für unsere Hamster | Sammeltread für Toisachen (http://www.hamsterboard.de/thread.php?threadid=1671&hilight=Toipapier)

Gillzy
02-13-2011, 07:25 AM
Can I ask what DL stands for? :confused: Looks really good! Could you use newspaper instead of toilet paper too?

DL means decilitre (100ml). The only problem with newspaper is that it contains ink, and so if hammy chews it may ingest ink, which isn't so good :(

wofunny
02-13-2011, 07:37 AM
Might give this a try too :)

DL means decilitre (100ml). The only problem with newspaper is that it contains ink, and so if hammy chews it may ingest ink, which isn't so good :(

Most (if not all) UK newspapers use non-toxic ink (I think its vegetable oils)

Iluvhamsters
02-13-2011, 08:15 AM
Might give this a try too :)



Most (if not all) UK newspapers use non-toxic ink (I think its vegetable oils)

I queried this before and yes, it's vegetable based inks that are used here in the UK.

emma and button
02-13-2011, 09:23 AM
The financial times is toxic still ;) something to do with the pinkness

Gillzy
02-13-2011, 06:47 PM
The financial times is toxic still

Haha, I think we should start rumours. :P

So it's fine to use newspapers for hammy-mache? :D That's good to know!

Georgey
02-14-2011, 03:22 AM
that you for explaining DL :)
It's brilliant that newspapers are non toxic, will be trying this today :-D

Nappo
02-15-2011, 11:10 AM
I'll tried it with a Critterbath and transparent film taped over it, thank you DwarfNome for your inspiring idea! :) Before I always used ballons, but with the plastic bag/film it works on any stuff you an imagine xD

http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/fffs-75.jpg (http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/fffs-75-jpg-nb.html)

http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/fffs-76.jpg (http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/fffs-76-jpg-nb.html)

Katarina
02-15-2011, 11:16 AM
I'm going to try this over one of my small oven-proof dishes and going to use mix of egg white and water to soak the toilet paper and then bake it in the oven on a low temperature. maybe I'll use some oats and mixed seeds to coat it in as a last layer to encurage them to nibble at it rather then on the cage :)

alexarcano
02-15-2011, 11:27 AM
Btw if you want to try making the papier mache without adding the flour be preared for it to take a few days to air dry. Mine's been hanging up for a couple of days now and it's still quite damp.

Katarina
02-15-2011, 11:40 AM
Btw if you want to try making the papier mache without adding the flour be preared for it to take a few days to air dry. Mine's been hanging up for a couple of days now and it's still quite damp.

when I used to make paper mache with kids at work (I used to be a nanny) I used to put it in a slightly warm oven with the oven door slightly open to dry out - sometimes I popped it in after I've baked a cake and left the paper mache in it until the oven cooled. It worked a treat!!!

emma and button
02-15-2011, 11:41 AM
Btw if you want to try making the papier mache without adding the flour be preared for it to take a few days to air dry. Mine's been hanging up for a couple of days now and it's still quite damp.

heh thanks for that i thought I had wasted my time- only did it the other day though. :)

leedsgurl
02-15-2011, 12:59 PM
I made this a few years ago, and used a puzzle playground creation as a template. I just used water, toilet paper and kitchen roll. It did take a few days to dry but it was quite sturdy, and once chewed to pieces was used as bedding :)

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii319/leedsgurl_photos/misc%20hamsters/20090128013_s.jpg

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii319/leedsgurl_photos/misc%20hamsters/20090128014_s.jpg

Iluvhamsters
02-15-2011, 03:10 PM
Nappo and Leedsgurl what a great idea using toys you already have, they look great :)

amyXlovesXhamstersX
02-15-2011, 03:13 PM
Leedsgurl, did you cover it with clingfilm or something before you put the paper on or did it just dry and come loose? I'd love to things other than balloons and we never have clingfilm...:p

leedsgurl
02-16-2011, 06:26 AM
Leedsgurl, did you cover it with clingfilm or something before you put the paper on or did it just dry and come loose? I'd love to things other than balloons and we never have clingfilm...:p

No I didn't cover it with anything - it just came loose, I think helped by the fact that the puzzle playground stuff has holes in it, and if it doesn't come off easily you can just pull it apart :)

DwarfNome
02-16-2011, 09:15 AM
Giving you all a small update. The tutorial is off, sadly. My camera broke down for a couple of days, and I wanted it to get finished. It's not finished yet, I need to connect the blue house to the green extension and add some climbing gear. Here's pictures!

http://iaza.com/work/110217C/iaza15439154627000.jpg

http://iaza.com/work/110217C/iaza15439139316300.jpg

http://iaza.com/work/110217C/iaza15439156007600.jpg

http://iaza.com/work/110217C/iaza15439112993400.jpg

alexarcano
02-16-2011, 11:57 AM
when I used to make paper mache with kids at work (I used to be a nanny) I used to put it in a slightly warm oven with the oven door slightly open to dry out - sometimes I popped it in after I've baked a cake and left the paper mache in it until the oven cooled. It worked a treat!!!

Interesting idea, but does that work when you use a balloon as a former? Will the balloon not just pop?

HamstersAreHardcore
02-19-2011, 10:28 AM
Can you do it with the Daily Record newspaper or does it have to be Toilet paper ?

alexarcano
02-19-2011, 11:29 AM
Aha!
Eureka!
Worked on this a bit as a bit of a trial and error experiment ;)
I got the idea from seeing people (on TV ages ago, funny how some things stick in your mind isnt it?) using a similar concept to make plaster sculptures.
I used wire mesh as a former and structure to make a papier mache 'tube' to join Busters two bins together and came up with this.
Actually just calling it a tube is a bit of a misnomer as it is two half tubes joined together so that i could put mache on the outside and inside of the 'tube'. Its just easier to do it that way. :D
It is made from just plain cheap recycled toilet paper (from Lidl 10 rolls for about £1.50) and water, with no flour. I liked the idea of having a smooth curve rather than sharp turns and angles, and am thinking it may be nice idea for the kids to paint it (kid safe water colours ofc). :)
I thought it would be something a little bit different to the usual tubes.
I slightly overcooked it in the oven, hence the little brown patches, it was up too high to start with, but it is un-damaged.
Doh.
Turned it down to about 100C and 30 mins later it was done. :rolleyes:
Yes I know it will have to be replaced at some point due to Hammie vandalism and general wear and tear. :)
Buster seems to love it along with the other balloon formed toys that we have made.
And yes, the tube is quite escape resistant as the papier mache is there only to make it more hammie friendly as the wire mesh is the 'real' structure. :D

HamstersAreHardcore
02-19-2011, 02:00 PM
I just made it out of Kitchen Roll , worked a dream !

gellerbing
02-19-2011, 02:14 PM
looks good, could never do it myself though as i hate paper mache

HamstersAreHardcore
02-19-2011, 02:41 PM
Just asking ....

How did use do it with toilet paper ! :L :(

It failed for me so i resorted to toilet roll , it was bigger making it quicker and easier , i used a ballon as the frame and its currently drying

alexarcano
02-19-2011, 04:30 PM
The first layer is a pain in the posterior to do, but once that's made it gets a lot easier. Just do not wet the second layer before laying it on top of the first. Wet it after laying it down and It works like a dream. All that is needed from there on in is patience. :)

Lloydhammy
06-17-2013, 03:46 PM
never thought of using paper mache! I am going to try to make a cave for my syrian :) saw that on here. I guess though i would have to find some non toxic paint?? great ideas!!!

Gazmo
06-18-2013, 09:41 AM
that's brilliant, im gonna give it a go :)

traste
11-22-2013, 08:27 AM
Thanks for the tips!

I've just made a house with loo paper and water using a memo cube as a mold.
I've covered a couple of loo paper tubes, and also I have made small cup type things which I will put treats in and hang them from the door of cage.

I also found it easier to use a water spray bottle to wet the loo paper.

I'm waiting for my goodies to dry out on the radiator :)