If you like those cool Pottery Barn letters but not the price, make your own.1. My son's letter is about 9" tall. Start by drawing a big block letter on corrugated cardboard and cut out. Trace a second letter and cut it out also.
2. Get some styrofoam or similar cups and cut at least 5 to the same height and glue to one of the letters. When dry add glue to the edges of the cups, and in effect make a sandwich with the second letter. Make sure the letters are aligned so that it will stand and cover the edges with masking tape.
3. Mix up a batch of paper-mache and cover the entire letter with several layers of paper strips. If you really want a sturdy letter, have another mache session and let dry for at least a day.
4. Paint the letter with acrylic paint. I've found it best to paint the background first and then come back the following day to add details. When finished, paint with Mod Podge to add polish and protection for the paint.
2. Get some styrofoam or similar cups and cut at least 5 to the same height and glue to one of the letters. When dry add glue to the edges of the cups, and in effect make a sandwich with the second letter. Make sure the letters are aligned so that it will stand and cover the edges with masking tape.
3. Mix up a batch of paper-mache and cover the entire letter with several layers of paper strips. If you really want a sturdy letter, have another mache session and let dry for at least a day.
4. Paint the letter with acrylic paint. I've found it best to paint the background first and then come back the following day to add details. When finished, paint with Mod Podge to add polish and protection for the paint.
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7 comments:
Hi Kathy. I have been an art teacher (preschool through eigth grade) for the past thirteen years. I was very lucky and found your blog trough a search. THANKS SO MUCH. You have fun, neat, beautiful, and great art projects. I will be using some of them in my new school year.
I will be back many, many, more times.
God Bless, Christine
My kids love painting letters. If there are parents or teachers short on time you can also pick unpainted paper mache letter at JoAnn Fabris. They are fairly cheap $8-$3 and even cheaper if you pick them up on sale like we did.
I love all the idea you share.
Thanks for sharing the JoAnn Fabric's tip - I didn't know they had letters too. I also saw some fabric covered letters at Anthropologie, which I didn't have the budget for...but I sure am considering copying!
Did you provide a stencil for students to trace or did they design their own letters?
Hi Char,
As I recall, I did not give any stencils and deeply regretted it. Some kids made really skinny letters and had to do it over. Fat stencils that are at least the width of any cups you are going to use, are definitely the way to go.
What an awesome idea!
I think I am going to teach my children to do such a cool stuff in order to help them to develop their skills
xD
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