What you need
Newspaper
Paper mache paste
Pencil
Pipe cleaners
10 cms of thin wire
Small beads
Craft paint
Spray varnish
Braid in your choice of color
Tissues or Tissue paper
Instructions
Start by making the paper mache butterfly base. For this you will need 1 sheet of newspaper and using your paper mache glue spread some paste over the newspaper.
Then take its longest edge and fold the newspaper in half. Spread the glue over the newspaper and again fold in half continue to do this until you have folded the paper 4 times.
Allow this paper mache strip to dry and then using the template provided below or drawing your own template of a butterfly outline. Cut out as many butterflies as you need to complete your necklace. We have used 3 for our necklace but you can use just one.
Using small pieces of tissue paper glue the tissue over the edges of the butterfly to seal it. As shown on the template above. This seals the raw edges of the butterfly and gives it some stability. Once you have covered all the edges on each butterfly allow it to dry.
To make the body take a pipe cleaner and fold it into 4 and wind strips of ready-pasted newspaper around the pipe cleaner until it is covered.
To make the antennas use thin wire cut into suitable lengths and pass it through the top of the body. Use the picture above as a guideline to where the antennas should sit and how long they should appear on your butterfly. Once you have pushed it through the body using craft glue to secure a bead onto each end.
Glue the body onto the butterfly wings and allow it to completely dry before painting it with your craft paints. We have painted a detail design but if you are not as confident then you could paint your butterfly a solid bright color or even decorate it with stickers or glitter.
Once your butterfly is dry and your paintwork finished spray your butterflies with a spray varnish this will protect the paintwork and make the project more durable.
Use craft glue to secure your butterflies to the braid you have selected. We have tied in some beads and used double lengths of braid. You can do the same by measuring two lengths of braid and tying a knot then threading a bead and tying another knot straight after the bead, make sure you space out your knots big enough to fit in your butterfly.
i like this very much but it is in so long way we also make it in short way
this could go to a whole new level
This is a really neat paper~mache craft 🙂 Tedious & detailed …a great way to keep my mind occupied!+++ Butterflies are my favorite <3 Thanx!
Lovely necklace, but not enough demonstration as to how to make a paper mache butterfly. Maybe I’m just dense but color photographed step by step instructions would really make a difference for us that need pictures. I’m just glad to see I am not the only one that feels this way. You speak of putting the butterflies onto braid, but in the picture above it appears as you used jump rings even though you didn’t mention doing so. Could be I making a mistake. And I am sorry if this seems critical but these instructions seem incomplete.
Lost in Translation. I think there need to be accompanying pictures to your steps, not really understanding the description and it doesnt appear I am the only one.
i would totally wear it1<3 thanks!
~princess~
i love it! i think its so awesome!<3
Very unique and durable craft which is suitable for all ages and everyone loves butterflies.
beautiful
very nice work
I dont get it! 🙁
it’s ok to me.i think it so cool!!!!!!!!!1
it’s ok to me.i think it so cool!!!!!!!!!1
extremely beautiful I would wear it and it looks expensive
I think you need to explain how to make a regular paper mache butterfly.