Paper Bowl – The Coolest Mess You’ll Ever Make

My favorite pastime is recycling paper. For this bowl, I used daily newspapers. I used to hand-cut the papers, but since everybody loves to receive these for birthdays (plus, I sell them on the side), I got a paper cutting machine. It really isn’t hard to make, although it can get a little messy until you got the gist of it. I understand that DIY projects always seem easy to do when you see the end result, but when you try them yourself, they can be a little bit challenging. That’s usually because the creators are not explaining the process, nor giving you any advices or tricks that will help. 

The How to Part

Ingredients:

• Newspapers
• Old bowl that can fit the balloon
• A balloon
• Wood glue, or any other that’s white
• An old towel, to collect the mess
• Sponge

Once you cut the papers into tiny squares, load an old bowl with glue. I use wood glue, which is white and blends the paper well and keeps it sturdy. For the first layer, the one that goes directly on the balloon, I put the glue as it comes from the canister. For the second and third layer, you can pour a little bit of water. I do this not to save on glue, but to make it easier to use. Dip the balloon in the bowl with the glue and then in the paper pieces. I put all my paper squares in a plastic bag, to keep the mess in one place.

Once you cover the glued area on the balloon with paper chunks, you can use your hands to lock them in place. I use a sponge for applying the second and third layers, because you can easily manipulate the paper with a sponge, by dabbing one area after another. After you apply the second layer of glue, apply the second layer of paper chunks. If you want the bowl to be heavier and last longer, you can add another layer of paper. I don’t, since I put a lot of glue. 

Once the layers are all covering the balloon, you need to leave the bowl to dry out. If it’s hot and sunny, you can put it right under the sun to air dry. If not, put it close to a heating source. It should be ready in 24 hours, after which you can just pop the balloon and peel it off the bowl. I like my bowls this way, but you can paint over them to make them match your décor. Have fun and let me know if you succeeded!