I have started to get a bit of a taste for making things using papier mache. I was saying in my last post that I don't get to do it very often, even though I love it. So I am making more, and getting my children involved. It is a fun kind of messy, not a glitter kind of messy. I know that all parents dread glitter as you will probably keep finding it for 20 years.

Anyway, here is a tutorial for a crown papier mache box. Obviously you don't have to do a crown, it could be any design. Have fun and enjoy the making.

Find a template for making a box and print it out. You can use a photocopier to get it to your desired size. Then transfer this design onto the cardboard, and carefully cut out each piece using a craft knife and cutting mat. And glue all of the pieces together, holding them in place with some masking tape.

Next, tear up the newspaper into strips of roughly 2.5cm wide, and dip them into diluted PVA glue, then stick it onto the box. Make sure that you overlap each edge a bit to give it more strength. You will need to cover each part of the box with four layers of papier mache, and then leave it to dry thoroughly.

Once dry, give the surface a very light sanding to smooth the surface with some fine grade sandpaper. And then prime the papier mache box with two coatings of white emulsion paint. Now you can draw your design onto the box.

Next, decorate your little box with colourful poster paints or gouache paints. You can add extra definition to your designs by painting a black border around them.

Leave your papier mache box to dry overnight. Then add two coatings of clear gloss varnish to seal and protect your box. And again leave to dry thoroughly before use.