Arts &Crafts, How-To's, Upcycling & Repurposing

Good evening everyone! Not long ago my husband was taking things to the recycling facility to dispose of, like styrofoam. It of course had my brain going and wondering why we can’t just put it in our recycling bins and they can separate it from there? Nope. Can’t make things easy on us. I however did find the most awesome idea to use styrofoam for! That will be for my next post. (Sorry for the tease). However, it got me thinking I can use the papery/cardboard style egg cartons to use in making clay. Yes, you read that right, clay. I came across an awesome, easy up cycling idea to do with our egg cartons.

Supplies needed:

* 1 egg carton

* Container of water to soak the egg cartons pieces in.

* Another container (disposable or a dedicated container used specifically for crafts)

* White glue ( I used regular school glue)

* Flour – approx 1-2 cups

* Paper towels in case of mess

* Something to stir with ( we mostly used our hands. )

* Plastic wrap

* Something to use as a mold. I used a metal bowl)

* Wet wipes

Step 1:

Start by tearing and cutting up your egg cartons into little pieces.

Next you will put the pieces in a container of water and let soak overnight.

Step 2:

The next day, take your pieces out of the water and squeeze and keep squeezing until not a drop of water comes out.

Place those into another container or bowl once the water is all out.

Step 3:

Now is the messy hands part. Mix in the glue and flour. I started with about 1/2 cup each and put more in as needed. I did use more flour. It helped keep it from being sticky.

Once that is all mixed up, turn the bowl upside down and cover the bowl or whatever you’re using as a mold with the plastic wrap.

Step 4:

You’ll now take your “paper clay“, and cover it over the mold. ( in my case was a bowl).

Let dry. Make sure to smooth out any cracks you see forming in the paper clay. You can put a little water on your fingers and smooth over the cracks.

Even the next day, my paper clay bowl was still wet. It took about 4 days to be completely dry.

On day 2 I lifted the paper clay bowl off the mold, turn the mold over (so it’s right side up), and put it in so the other side of the paper clay bowl will dry. Every day I did that. Switching sides so it would dry evenly.

Once it was completely dry I coated it with Mod Podge. It held the bowl together to keep its shape and prevent any cracks there was to break.

I definitely had my imperfections but no one’s perfect. My daughter and I had fun making this and we will be doing this again.

Have fun!

Like I said, mine definitely still had some cracks but for my first time doing this I know what to try and perfect the next time.