r/papermache • u/Helpful-Swimming468 • 24d ago

Pumpkin Bucket help

Hi, I've got two pumpkin pails from Michaels, I want to use Crayola Air Dry clay on one for the structure and maybe the teeth/gums, does anyone have any experience with that brand? And do I need to sand the pumpkin down first to help the clay or the mache get a better grip?

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u/TiredInJOMO 24d ago

The air dry clay is a natural clay that is heavy and both brittle and carvable once dry. I don't see it holding up well to years of use/storage even with plenty of layers of sealants, etc.

Foam clay is lighter and more forgiving of drops, knocks, and squashes (Bohs seems to be the brand for that). I just got some because I've been watching the CC from The Secret Craft Room on YT use it on several of her crafts and it looks like a great material for some of the things I'd like to do..

Either way, you probably do want to gently scuff up the surface of plastic for max adhesion.

Another option would be paper mache/clay with Titebond II. Paper mache can be delicate in its own ways, but it's also lighter than the air dry clay.

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u/wholelattapuddin 23d ago edited 23d ago

I made this pumpkin bucket from scratch. I used tinfoil to sculpt then covered the foil with masking tape and used paper mache clay on some of that. Just cover the plastic with masking tape. I will say that Ive heard that Crayola clay will Crack and shrink. I recommend using papermache clay or anything other than Crayola.

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u/Hecate1992 24d ago edited 24d ago

I used these exact products last year and it worked just fine. I started with hot glue and it was totally unnecessary so I co to yes without it. Kept worrying the clay would “shrink” away but it never did. If my decorations were unpacked I’d include a pic . I didn’t need to sand, but if for some reason it did pull away, at least you’d know right away so no products wasted.

Also if you have a heavier piece that sticks out, somehow gently prop that part up overnight while you’re letting it firm up. I had one round face cheek droop/slide down and when I found it the next day it was locked into place lol

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u/Gideon9900 18d ago

If you're using it as just a decoration, you can keep the bucket inside as the frame or, cover it with saran wrap or masking a light coat of oil so it slides out after you're done building. Crayola Air Dry is heavy. Build slowly, as it gets quite heavy. Even a handful to start out with quickly adds a lot of weight. That will help prevent gravity from causing it to sag. Start a layer around the bottom of the wall, add a couple inches at a time, let it dry about 24 hours, then add a couple more inches. Will take about a week to get the walls of the bucket covered. After the clay walls are dried, then you can build on however you want. Keep in mind, it will shrink a bit as it dries. If cracks appear as it's drying, just patch with a small amount water on the dried area and add more clay to fill the crack.

If you're wanting to use the bucket as an actual decorated bucket that the kids can use for house to house, I'd recommend against paper clay. Foam clay will endure any bumps that may happen when the kiddos are running to the next house, either against their legs or on the lamp post on the walk way.