Gail Bartel's Blog

I've been experimenting with a package of CelluClay I received in my last batch of supplies.  So far I've come up with these Valentine cans and

this mixed media piece.  I'm trying to come up some different appilcations for it outside the obvious.

So this is the CelluClay.

You open up the package and you have fine pulverized paper fibre with the paste already mixed in.

Add small amounts of water until you get a mud like consistency that is very sticky.

VALENTINE CAN:

Let's start with the can

MATERIALS REQUIRED:

- recycled tin can with wrapper removed

- CelluClay

- water

- sandpaper

- acrylic paint

- fine sharpie

- wire

- beads

- text, optional

- Aleene's Tacky glue, optional

- Mod podge, optional

PROCEDURE:

Take your recycled can and apply a thin coat of CelluClay.  Smooth as best you can.  Let dry.  This will take anywhere from 24-48 hrs depending on the room temperature.

After the CelluClay is fully dry give your cans a quick sand to smooth out any harsh roughness.  The cans will have texture to them but that's what you want.  The Celluclay adhered exceptionally well to the cans, no cracking.

Paint with acrylic paint.

Add detail with a fine sharpie.  If you aren't adding any text you can Mod podge now if you want. 

Cut a length of wire.

Punch 2 holes on either side about 1/2 an inch from the top of the can.  I used an awl.

Add some beads to the center of your wire twisting to secure.  Attach the wire to the can using the holes you cut punched.  Trim away any excess wire.

You can text now if you wish.  I printed mine off the computer and attached it with Aleene's Tacky glue.

That's it. 

Next up the MIXED MEDIA PIECE:

MATERIALS REQUIRED:

- CelluClay

- chocolate molds

- sandpaper

- old picture frame

- text

- cardboard

- paint 

- Aleene's Tacky glue

PROCEDURE:

So I have these chocolate molds that I use for everything but making chocolates!  I have used paper pulp, paperclay, and plaster.  I wanted to see if the CelluClay would work.  Mix up a batch of Celluclay.

Fill your chocolate mold.  I use an old gift card like a trowel, spreading in the Celluclay and then smoothing away the excess.

Leave to dry for a couple of days.  You can remove the mold when it is 3/4's dry to hasten drying.

When dry trim away the excess with scissors, sand edges lightly.

Take the back or mat from your old picture frame and cut a piece of cardboard or chipboard to fit.  Make sure you test it before continuing on.

Paint your text, Celluclay letters and cardboard.  I used both acrylics and watercolors.

When dry glue your letters and text into place.  You can Mod podge now to seal everything and get a nice shiny finish.  Insert back into frame and that's it.

EVALUATION:

PROS:

- very sticky, will adhere pretty much to anything, use less water for fine sculpting

- is fine grained

- easily sanded

- paints up nicely

- lightweight

CONS:

- very dusty, wear a mask when mixing

- despite fine grain you will always have some texture, do not use where you want a smooth finish

- stickiness sometimes interferes with sculpting

OVERALL:

I was very pleased with the texture on the can. It looked like a peat pot yet was waterproof on the inside and more substanial. Great way to use up those recyclables. Painting on metal is always difficult so this is a great alternative. I did not expect it to work so well in the chocolate molds (was pleasantly surprised). The bit of texture gave the pieces a rustic, aged look that was quite appealing. I have no doubt that this would work well as a papier mache medium especially for those artists who are unfamilar with papier mache.  For fine sculpting I would still use paperclay and if you papier mache regularly or with a large group you would probably find this a bit pricey.  I will use it as described above on small projects in a school setting to supplement regular papier mache. 

 See you next time.