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This project is based on the techniques we’ll be learning to build A Universe, the 2020 Beam Camp Project designed by Ye Qin Zhu.

A Universe will be built using a natural building technique called Wattle and Daub. Traditionally, buildings in this style were made by weaving together large and small pieces of wood to form walls. Then these woven walls were coated on both sides with a mixture of clay, sand and straw called Cob.

See the Beam Camp project development site for more info on this project!

NOTE: This activity is a follow up to the WATTLE WEAVE activity, but can be done separately as well.

Project

Overview 1:

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We will be making paperclay, a cheap and easy modeling material. This will act similar to Cob, and can be used to cover your woven wattle structure. You can also use this material to sculpt all kinds of objects!

Paperclay acts a lot like clay, but is made of the same ingredients as paper mache. If you’ve used either of these materials those skills will come in handy!

Project

Overview 2:

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Prepare

Your Workspace:

Set up your work space. Clear a surface on a table top where you can work. Make sure you have some scrap material covering your surface to keep it clean (magazines, newspaper, cardboard, plastic trash bag...) Make sure to ask other people who are using the space if it’s OK for you to set up there!

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Gather Supplies:

Newspaper, Cardboard, Paper scraps, Toilet Paper (any mix of these will work)
Large Bowl
Salt
Flour
Hot Water
Blender (you can also use a hand mixer, or just your hands in a pinch!)
(Optional) Paint and paintbrushes

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PREP THE DAY BEFORE...

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Step 1: Prep Paper

Rip your newspaper/paper/cardboard into small pieces. If using cardboard it’s recommended to pull the layers apart. Put the scraps in a bowl and cover with hot water, let sit overnight.

If you have extra toilet paper, this makes a great alternative! It’s so thin that you can skip this soaking step and go right to blending (step two).

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OK, LET’S GET TO IT!

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Step 2: Blend it

Once your paper has sat overnight, it should be soft and rip apart easily.

Use your blender/hand mixer/hands to pulverize the paper fibers and turn those ripped up chunks into a pulp. (Ask permission before using the blender or mixer!)

Be sure to use water so you don’t burn out your blender, we can remove water later.

The finer the pulp is, the smoother your final blend will be, but a little chunky is okay too.

BEFORE AFTER

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Step 3: Squeeze It

Before adding any other ingredients, it’s important to remove any excess water.

Pour off the loose water and squeeze your pulp mush so that it’s DAMP but not WET.

It should stick together slightly when squeezed in your hand, but not be saturated with water.

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Step 4: Make the Mix

Now we will add the flour and salt to our pulp mix.

The Flour will act like GLUE. It’s similar to the clay in the Cob mix. It’s sticky!

The Salt is a preservative, and will keep your mix from rotting too fast.

Like mixing Cob, you can adjust the mixture to suit your needs. Start off with this ratio:

1 part Flour

3 parts Paper Pulp

dash of Salt

Mix well. When you squeeze a handful of Paperclay it should hold together.

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Step 5: Sculpt!

If you are working with your Wattle Weave model:

In traditional Wattle and Daub, cob is applied on the inside and outside of the woven wattle walls.

The gaps in the structure will allow the cob to

bond to itself through the woven frame, creating a seriously strong form (it’s got a built-in skeleton!).

You can mimic this by pressing Paperclay on the inside and outside of your form, making sure there are enough gaps for the inside Paperclay to touch the outside Paperclay layer.

NOTE: If it feels like your mix isn’t sticking,

try removing water and/or adding flour to your mix.

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Step 5 BONUS:

Paperclay isn’t only for wattling and daubing - it can be used to make all kinds of objects!

Remember:

It acts similar to clay, once you get the hang of it

you can find new ways to form and shape it.

Some cool things to try:

Press Paperclay in a thin layer on the inside of

a plastic container and let dry. Pop out!

See if you can make a Paperclay ‘sandcastle’,

Can you add internal supports to build taller towers?

(chop sticks? toothpicks? cardboard?)

Paperclay Tiles from The Artful Parent

Artist Paola Paronetto

makes paperclay vessels

Figures from Creative Paperclay Co.

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Step 7: Finishing (Optional)

Let your model dry fully, this can take a few days!

Once everything is dry you can leave it raw or paint it (acrylic or tempera paint works best).

Show us your Paperclay Creations!

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