Papier-mâche (French for 'chewed-up paper'), sometimes called paper-mache, is a substance that consists of pieces of paper, sometimes reinforced with textiles, fixed together using a wet paste (e.g. glue, starch, or wallpaper adhesive). The crafted object becomes solid when the paste dries. It was a common technique for making dolls in the 19th century, before plastics came into use.

Paper-Mache is the most versatile form of craft and almost anything viz jewelry, vases, bowls, masks, piñatas, or even furniture can be created using paper mache. By using Papier-mâche, the skilful artisans of Rajasthan have manufactured unique and attractive-looking pieces of furniture including chairs, couches, benches and seats, cabinets and container shelves.

Papier-mâche was one of the first composite materials, and using the right techniques, it can build surprisingly strong structures. Paper-mache paste is the substance which holds the paper together. The traditional method of making papier mâche paste is to add one part water to one part flour. Some artists prefer to boil the paste, saying that it makes the consistency smoother (water to flour ratio is changed to five parts water to one part flour in this case) while other artists opine that starch makes a fine paste.

Beautiful artifacts of paper mache are sold in the makeshift stalls of beach markets of Anjuna and Baga, local market of Mapusa and also in the cosmopolitan department stores and designer boutiques of Goa. Plenty of other handicrafts items including stunning crafts of Paper-Mache is made in Goa under the auspices of the Goa Rural Handicraft and small Scale Industries Development Corporation, and are available at the Handicrafts Emporium, Panaji, Tourist Hotels, and other souvenir hubs.

Other places where you can find paper-mache are-

Velho & Filhos Shopping Centre at Panaji
Cottage Industries Exposition, Villa Saligao, Saligao
Ranjana's Souvenir Shop, opposite Hotel Goan Heritage, Calangute beach,
Rajasthan Arts, Baga beach

Last Updated on 4^th October 2010

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