Materials:

• plenty of recycled paper (choose a mixture of one selection): lolly wrappers, coloured paper, coloured foil, envelopes, comics, newspaper, magazines, wrapping paper)
• paint and paintbrushes
• newspaper, shredded and ripped into small pieces/ strips (4-5cms wide and at least 15cms in length).
• a balloon
• a wide cup/ small bowl
• Vaseline
• scissors
• paste/ glue. Homemade glue: Mix 2 tbsp PVA, 10 tbsp flour, and 1 cup water together until it is a soup-like consistency.
• paintbrush
• strip of card
• stapler
• masking tape

Instructions:

To make bowl

• Lay newspaper out on the table and create a work area.
• Blow up the balloon and fasten with a knot.
• Spread plenty of Vaseline all over it.
• Sit the balloon in the cup with the knot facing into the cup.
• Brush over some paste with the paintbrush on the top half of the balloon.
• Cover the top half of the balloon (that is covered in paste) with strips of newspaper.
• Make sure the newspaper is wet entirely with glue - add more if required.
• Paste the strips horizontally and vertically as this will strengthen the bowl.
• If you end up with an air bubble or glue lump, tear a smaller bit of newspaper and press it firmly over it, to smooth it out.
• Cover the ends that haven't been glued down properly with glue.
• Add at least six layers of newspaper and glue to the top half of the balloon.
• Leave it to dry in a warm, sunny place for the day.
• When dry remove the newspaper mould from the balloon.
• Trim off the rough edges, using scissors.

To make a base for the bowl

• Turn the bowl upside down.
• Make a loop / circle with the strip of card, and staple in place.
• Attach the loop to the base of the bowl with masking tape.
• Paste on some glue and cover it with newspaper pieces / strips.
• Once the bowl and base are completely dry it is ready to be decorated.
• Essentially you are decoupaging (paper collaging) the bowl.
• Cover it entirely with your selected paper and glue.
• Paint if you desire.
• Decorate until all of the newspaper is covered with colour and patterns.