I'm a paper mache artist, Teena Flanner seems to be very popular so I wanted to check out her techniques. She actually delivers - she covers all the materials necessary, including the papier mache pulp and what paints and embellishments she uses. She devotes a whole page to glitter! I don't particularly care much for the "cutesy poo" style, I like vintage Halloween papier mache much better but the book focuses on Christmas and Easter figurines.
If you are looking to create the projects "exactly" as the ones shown in the book you may be out of luck. Ms. Flanner explains how challenging (but often forgiving) the medium is. Nothing is ever going to be "perfect" and that is part of the charm. How your figurines look depends on a variety of factors, including the paper mix you use (she uses ready made commercial papier mache paste mix), humidity, how much water you use and what molds you have available.
Ms. Flanner also teaches you how to make two molds, one with gel and one with silicone. I use a silicone technique myself. I also use plaster of paris and plasticine to create molds for my figurines...I wonder if I should write a book! I wish she had spend more time on this section, since not many people are going to find the molds for the projects. Ms. Flanner doesn't mention product brands for the silicone or gel, so you are pretty much on your own trying to figure out where to find your supplies.
One of the things about this book is that it shows beautiful photos of the finished projects that serve mostly as inspiration. I can see how people may be frustrated trying to recreate these *very specific* finished projects WITHOUT having the molds! Even if you find antique metal molds, Ms. Flanner recommends you only use them once, since the papier mache damages them. She also states that the more readily available clear plastic molds are not ideal for the projects, since they are hard to fill using an opaque paste. Only a couple of the projects don't use molds - the snow man family, for example. Another project uses a readily purchased hollow papier mache Easter egg.
Overall, if you like Ms. Flanner's style this is a perfect and inspiring "coffee table" book. If you are looking for a basic papier mache technique this is also the book for you. If you are an advanced papier mache artist, you can probably skip it.
A delightful, inspiring book. Teena Flanner's directions are easy to follow - and most of the required materials are easily obtained. The charming antique molds may be harder to find but modern recreations of vintage styles can be found on the 'Net. I wish however a recipe(s) was given for making paper mache pulp from scratch -- we don't have craft stores in our area. Again, sources for that have been found on the 'Net.
I was very disappointed to find out that all the projects are made from molds. I was looking for hand sculpted items, not ones that I have to purchase a mold or create a mold. This should have been stated in the write-up.
I received my book in the mail today and couldn't put it down until I read completely through it. The pictures are wonderful. Directions are clear and well written. Teena thoughtfully included lots of artist's notes and tips that only an expert would know. I love this book and have no doubt that I can duplicate the results or at least come close. I highly recommend this as an excellent how-to book on papier mache.
If you are creative and resourceful, this book is a guide AND an inspiration. There are a handful of projects that don't call for a mold, including her ever-popular snowmen. The rest? Sure, you need molds, but I saw three last weekend while antiquing and one was only $6 (and it was a lamb, too!). They don't have to be old, just a mold you like! Really, NOT HARD TO FIND.
This book gave me insight into the process and acted as a jumping point for my own projects. I had many lightbulb moments while reading this " ... Ah ha! THAT'S how you do THAT!", etc. I've got a project baking in the oven as I type and I'm so glad I checked this book out of the library. I'll probably buy it now!
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