How to create a large pencil shaped Pinata out of paper mache?

As a group project for several people at my work, we want to create a pinata(s) for the afterschool program in the shape of a pencil and eraser. We want to do it using paper mache and was wondering if anyone could provide a good detailed instruction on what we should use and how we should go about it. We are aiming at having a group of at least 5 people help out and detailed instructions so that we could split up the tasks would be excellent.

My quick and easy idea is that sometimes if you go behind carpet stores, you can find large, extra strong cardboard tubes which you could seal off each end, make a superficial (wouldn't hold any candy/goodies) and then decorate and use/cut fringed tissue paper to make the item into a pencil. Hope this helps!
Burf2 years ago
Get some of the large, elongated balloons at a party supply store (they come in a variety of sizes) and cover with your paper mache to make the pencil barrel and then let it dry. Attach a string to hang the pinata with.
Make the eraser, ferrule and a conical point out of poster board and glue them to the barrel. Cover it all with appropriately colored crepe paper and decorate with frilly lace or fringe as desired.
I wouldn't worry much about trying to make it to scale, you can even make it a pencil stub, just try to keep everything in reasonable proportions and it will look fine when finished.
canucksgirl2 years ago
I did a quick sketch of each part. I would make the hexagon, the cone and tube shape(s) to start with poster board. It's rigid enough to paper mache over, but not so thick that it can't be destroyed in the end (like a pinata generally is). Since you have a group of 5, break up the job in tasks. You need to mix a batch of paper mache, tear newsprint or paper, pre-mix the paint colors for the pencil, bend and shape the hexagon-tube (for the pencil), the cone shape pencil tip and the tube portion for the eraser and the metal portion on the pencil. Once each piece has been pre-shaped with poster board, the parts can be separately covered in paper mache and perhaps someone can speed up the drying with fans or a hair dryer. After the parts have dried, fill the pencil with your pinata prizes and use some additional paper mache (or glue) to secure the parts. Once dried they can be painted with the pre-mixed paints.

I hope that helps. I omitted any specific sizes, to allow your group to determine the dimensions. Once you have those measurements, it'll be easier to break your group apart to work on individual pieces.