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Category: Paper Mâché

Figurings and ornaments molded and hand painted

  • Tickle Me Kitty Cat Mirrors

    These cute little Tickle me kitties were inspired by my Halloween project of Witches and Kitties.  I painted a couple of kittens playing with the fortune-tellers globes and it gave me the idea to make frames for mirrors with similar kitties. 

    These cat mirrors are created from light-weight, but tough-as-nails, paper mache,’ which are baked in a food-drying oven, sanded smooth and hand painted.  

    They are about 11″ tall x 9″ wide and 1/2 inch thick.  

    A black cat with yellow eyes and teeth is holding a mirror.
    The first Tickle me kitty. I’m keeping this one

    Here’s your chance to request one of these cuties decorated in your favorite colors. Contact me. There’s never an extra cost for custom designs.

    Surprise a friend or loved one with a unique, handcrafted gift.

    A painted animal with black and orange spots on it's body.
    Calico Tickle Me Kitty
    A colorful animal shaped picture frame with flowers.
    Bubble Gum Kitty
    A purple cat mirror with white designs on it.
    Lavebdar Tickle me Mirror kitty
    A mirror with an orange cat on it's back.
    Munchkin Tickle me Mirror kitty
    A black cat with yellow eyes and teeth is holding a mirror.
    The first Tickle me kitty. I’m keeping this one
    A black and white cat with many eyes
    Blue & Yellow eyes Black Tickle Me Kitty
    Two metal rings with a picture of an animal on them.
    Back side of kitties, Before sanding – on left, After sanding on right
    A white cast iron cat napkin holder.
    Sanded and smoothes, ready for priming
    A white cat shaped ornament sitting on top of a table.
    Unsanded, right out of the oven
    A black cat sitting on top of a table.
    Tickle Me Kitties are cat approved

    Joey is one of my helpers.

  • Paper Mâché Karmic Kitty Mirror Wall Ornaments

    A delightfully whimsical papier-mâché kitty cat wall ornament, molded with a big toothy grin and arms stretched wide in a welcoming embrace. Its playful expression radiates cheer, as if ready to hug the whole world. At the heart of this feline’s design is a mirror set in the center, reflecting light and faces alike—turning the cat into both decoration and a touch of interactive fun.

    The surface of the papier-mâché can be painted in bright colors, metallic accents, or left rustic for a folk-art feel. Hanging on the wall, this grinning kitty seems to watch over the room with open-hearted joy, its spiral-tailed spirit of play captured in handmade charm. A perfect mix of humor, warmth, and quirky artistry.

    A mirror with an orange cat on it's back.
    orange Minchkin
    A colorful animal shaped picture frame with flowers.
    Bubble Gum Kitty
    A painted animal with black and orange spots on it's body.
    Calico Tickle Me Kitty
    A purple cat mirror with white designs on it.
    Lavebdar Tickle me Mirror kitty
    A mirror with an orange cat on it's back.
    Munchkin Tickle me Mirror kitty
    A black cat with yellow eyes and teeth is holding a mirror.
    The first Tickle me kitty. I’m keeping this one
    A black and white cat with many eyes
    Blue & Yellow eyes Black Tickle Me Kitty
    Two metal rings with a picture of an animal on them.
    Back side of kitties, Before sanding – on left, After sanding on right
    A white cast iron cat napkin holder.
    Sanded and smoothes, ready for priming
    A white cat shaped ornament sitting on top of a table.
    Unsanded, right out of the oven
    A black cat sitting on top of a table.
    Tickle Me Kitties are cat approved

    We’ve got a few of these little pretties available for purchase downtown in Tsumani Beach Company and Harbor Arts Gallery.

  • Oroboros Snake Mirrors

    What goes around comes around.  

    The snake that consumes itself is an ancient cautionary tale that just keeps repeating.

     The Ouroboros is an ancient symbol depicting a serpent or dragon eating its own tail. It symbolizes cyclicality, renewal, and eternity. In various cultures and contexts, it can represent different concepts such as the cycle of life and death, the infinite nature of creation, or the unity of opposites. It has been used in alchemy, Gnosticism, and various mystical traditions throughout history.

    In endless coils of ancient lore,
    The serpent bites its tail once more.
    Through cycles vast, it twists and turns,
    A dance of fate, where all returns.

    Time’s passage marked in scales and skin,
    The Ouroboros, where life begins.
    Eternal symbol, forever bound,
    In cosmic depths, it’s always found.

    A circle drawn in endless chase,
    The past and future interlace.
    From birth to death, from dust to dust,
    Infinite cycles, bound we trust.

     

    A blue wax seal sitting on top of paper.
    Dragon Silicon Mold
    A black and white dragon with an evil eye.
    With mirror and god’s eye
    A black and white dragon bracelet on top of a towel.
    Plain Loop Dragon
    A dragon mirror on the wall
    Dragon with Mirror
    A red dragon with white spots on it's body.
    Red Dragon Loop
    A clay sculpture of a dragon on top of a circular object.
    Original Clay Mold

     Oroboros Snake Mirrors 

    These designs are generally 5″ x 7 1/2″ and can come with or without mirrors.

  • Papier-Mâché Sea Turtle Ornaments & Magnets

    Hand-molded from lightweight papier-mâché, these delightful sea turtle ornaments and magnets come in a variety of sizes, each one uniquely painted by hand with vibrant acrylic colors. Their shells shimmer with lively patterns—swirls, dots, and bold hues inspired by the sea—making every turtle one-of-a-kind.

    Some turtles are fitted with loops to hang as cheerful ornaments, while others are backed with magnets, perfect for brightening up a fridge, filing cabinet, or any magnetic surface. Whether small and pocket-sized or larger statement pieces, these turtles bring a splash of ocean charm and a touch of whimsy wherever they go.

    Great for beach lovers, ocean-inspired décor, or unique handmade gifts!

    Handmade Papier-Mâché Sea Turtle Ornaments & Magnets

    Bring a splash of the ocean into your home with these colorful papier-mâché sea turtle ornaments and magnets! Each turtle is hand-molded, then painted with bright acrylic designs—no two are ever the same.

    Available in various sizes, these lightweight turtles are perfect as:

    • 🎨 Hanging ornaments for beachy décor
    • 🧲 Magnets to brighten fridges, lockers, or boards
    • 🎁 Unique gifts for ocean and turtle lovers

    Cheerful, vibrant, and handmade with care, these little sea turtles are sure to bring smiles and seaside charm wherever they land.

  • How to Make Sea Turtles with CelluClay

    How to sculpt, mold and decorate a paper mache sea turtle

    In anticipation of teaching a class this month on how to make, bake and paint sea turtles using the Activa product CellUClay, I put together a tutorial that should explain the step by step process.

    The first step is to create a figurine or sculpture to use as a mold.

    I like to use polymer, non-drying clay to sculpt masks, ornaments and, yes, turtles. I’ve found it handy to set my little bucket of clay next to the foot warmer so the clay is always soft and plyable.

    These were my first attempt at baby sea turtle sculptures. They are fairly large as baby sea turtles go, so I kept on trying to get smaller and smaller models.

    Success.

    I now have three sizes of Leatherbacks. The smallest one is about 2′

    Size Matters

    The challenge is to make a baby sea turtle that will cook and dry in an oven within a few short hours. Larger paper mache molds can take up to 12 hours to dry.

    I like to make permanent casts of the clay sculptures to use as back ups. Eventually the silicone molds break. Having a backup copy is good.

    Plus, when grandkids visit I’ve got a bucket of creatures for them to play with.

    To make a clay model you must have a good selection of clay tools.

    I find the blue tools with various sized metal balls quite handy for smoothing out surfaces.

    Once you are satisfied with your clay model, prepare it for molding.

    I use polymer clay to form the walls of my models simply because it saves a few bucks and the process doesn’t seem to affect the clay.

    Spray the clay with a dusting of non-stick spray or vasoline to make de-molding easier once the mold sets.

    Follow the instructions on the silicone mixtures. Slowly cover the clay model with the well-mixed resin to at least 1/4 ” over the highest point. Wait the appropriate length of time before demolding.