I am really loving working with papier mache at the moment, and I would love to show you how to make a papier mache wall sconce. You can do any design that you wish in any colours that you wish. I have gone for a fairly neutral design with a bit of a gold accent.

Firstly, find a template that you would like to use for your papier mache wall sconce. If needed, enlarge it to your desired size, and then draw them onto the cardboard. Cut them out and make the back and base with three layers of the cardboard to make them extra strong.

Next, tape the layers of the back and base pieces together. And then tape them securely at right angles to each other. Make a heart shape out of the cardboard and tape it to the back panel towards the top. Ensure that you leave enough space under it to add a small mirror. Then seal it all with a coat of diluted PVA glue.

Now, twist two lengths of galvanised wire together, and bend them into a curly S shape. Make sure that they fit well between the back and the base of the wall sconce. Then repeat this process for the opposite side.

Next, tape the wire side supports into place, making sure that they are attached firmly to the back and base. Then tear the newspaper into roughly 2cm wide strips and soak them in the wallpaper paste. Cover the wall sconce in four layers of papier mache. Then use pages from an old book to do the final layer. Then leave it to dry thoroughly.

Once the papier mache wall sconce is dry, paint over the whole thing with a wash of diluted white emulsion paint. Once this is dry, colour in the heart shape with a gold wax crayon. Add additional spots of gold evenly over the rest of the wall sconce.

Next, spray the wall sconce with a coating of acrylic varnish to protect the decoration. I would recommend applying a few coats to give it a good even finish.

Now, decorate the night light container to match the rest of the wall sconce, and glue it to the base with strong clear glue. Then glue a small mirror to the lower back to reflect the flame once it is lit.