My new idea came when my husband's beloved bonsai tree died. He was very upset about this, but all I could see was a little dead tree that I could use. This is a fun tutorial guide for all ages to making and styling papier mache sculptures. I liked the book's logical layout and the author's easy to understand writing style and instructions. It includes a good introduction with chapters covering tools and supplies, basic general techniques, and finishing instructions. The following chapters include 13 really appealing and colorful projects. The tutorials each have a description, tools and materials lists, and step-by-step instructions accompanied by clear full color photos of each step. But I did enjoy reading the book and the projects are truly great fun! They are definitely not boring, instead I was very curious about trying them, but alas I cannot. But they are adorable (like those birds, or that cheer team you could make (which I could definitely use)) or useful. I wouldn’t mind making a cute planter for my plants. Now that I got my own home my windows downstairs have all the plants and a cute planter would make everything even more fun!

I mention that right at the top of this review because most books on paper mache are written for a younger audience, and include step-by-step how-to instructions so you can make specific projects that will end up looking exactly like the ones the author made. However, Monique’s book will not show you the specifics of how she built that fantastic creature on the front of her book. She assumes the reader is a sculptor, with a mind already filled with creative ideas about projects the reader wants to build. She trusts you to absorb her methods into your own work. Perhaps a better title for the book would have used the word “engineering,” rather than “design.” She includes unique techniques for making large, lightweight sculptures that are strong enough to hang from the ceiling or to ship to a distant gallery. Trust me–you won’t find these techniques described anywhere else. However, you’ll need to design your own sculptures. Although strictly speaking the correct definition of papier mache is paper fibres and binding agent, there have been some wild and wonderful ingredients used in the past: I finished the whole thing off by adding some fake moss up the side of the tree and a little brass handle to either side of the door. Finally, a small wooden 'S' outside. Oh, and I forgot...some little leaf butterflies around the door. I am quite pleased how this turned out and I think this is definitely my favourite door. Because I can’t see a finished sculpture so clearly in my mind as she does, I would not be as successful using her complete method. However, there are many things in her book that I’ll be including in my own work, especially the larger pieces that I’ve been thinking about lately. One thing I’ve noticed is that every book on paper mache has something in it that can be incorporated in my own work to make the process easier or stronger. (For instance, I used some of Dan Reeder’s methods to build my bobcat and lion cubs, but they don’t look anything like his monsters.)For all of you that have not read the book, the Magic Faraway Tree grew different fruit all over the tree, which is why Silky has pears at her front door and apples around her window. (I just thought I should clarify that I have not made a mistake). This was a lightbulb moment when I thought "wouldn't it be great to make a Faraway Tree along with all the characters." So my mind was made up in a split second! The projects are easy to follow with simple step by step instructions including pictures along each step. There are also tips and hints and suggestions. I also love that at some points the oven times were both in Celsius and Fahrenheit. Thanks, because I live in the rest of the world and we use Celsius. Haha. 😛 This is definitely not for the grade-school art class–this is a serious book for people who are dedicated to creating 3-dimensional art. And you probably have EVERYTHING you need to get started in papier mache already in your house. If you have flour or cornstarch, cardboard, foil, a utility knife, masking tape....things along those lines are all you need to get started.

My next bright idea was to try and make a sliding/sash window. My husband said I was mad and taking things a little too far.... but I paid no attention to him and carried on with my mad idea. So, if you are looking into investing in a whole new hobby and you got the money and the means to do so, I would definitely recommend this book to start your projects! Fun projects, easy to follow, and tons of cuteness! By 1860 papier mache production had reached its peak. England was still producing a lot of wares, while still importing vast amounts from China. The market became saturated leading to a decline in popularity. Competition from new materials helped the papier mache industry die a death. The final British manufacturer, McCallum and Hodson, closed in 1920.Sarah Hand is a papier mâche artist, illustrator, and art teacher. A puppet show she created in her late 20s inspired her to pursue the art of papier mâche in earnest. This messy, fun medium was an undiscovered well of inspiration for Sarah. Creating creatures and puppets led to teaching the magic of papier mâche to children and adults alike.

The result of her method is a very strong, highly detailed sculpture that is almost completely hollow, yet amazingly strong because of the geometric shapes inside the sculpture, the type of glue she uses instead of flour and water paste, and her method of building up shapes with the paper mache. I then started to attach the lights to each room. I needed to get all this completed and all the wiring in place to start on the outside of the tree.This would be a good choice for home crafting library, public or school library, maker's groups, activity groups and similar. Four stars.