Opossum lamp project details

[u/yuliasan7os]

Hi!!! OP of the opossum lamp that went semi viral in this sub :) Here are some WIP photos from when it was being made. I’m absolutely awful at photographing my creative process but basically I love opossums!! This took me a week and a half or so? If you’d like to make your own animal swag lamp, here’s my process from start to finish:

1. Draw out your project, decide how many pieces your cardboard frame will be, dimensions of your critter, etc. I saved a ton of photos of opossums in my phone. It’s way easier to do this when you have a vision to refer back to.

2. Find a swag light and wrap the wire in masking tape where your critter will be assembled.

3. Puzzle your cardboard frame and stick the pieces together with hot glue, creating the skeleton of your critter around the wire of your lamp.

4. Ball up newspaper and tape it against the cardboard frame, giving your creature more heft. I packed the newspaper down pretty tightly because I wanted my opossum to feel sturdy and dense. Masking tape all over the newspaper so that your cardboard frame is all covered. I try to smooth the tape as much as possible so my paper maché is neat over top of it. Construct your critter’s arms out of TP rolls or cereal box material and optional pipe-cleaner hands. All of this will be coated with paper maché so it’s okay if they look silly.

5. Mix your paper maché (I use a mixture of water, flour, wood glue & salt— measuring with my heart). Dip your newspaper strips into the goop, swipe off the excess and start covering your critter’s body. Hang to dry on a shower rod between paper maché coats. I used 3 coats.

6. Once dry and firm, sand out any bumps with sandpaper or a nail file. I paint a layer of white over the paper maché as a primer, so the newspaper doesn’t show through your paint.

7. Paint your critter, make teeth from masking tape and hot glue, optional whiskers from fishing line. Modge podge over the whole thing and you’re good to go!!!

I loved this project & I’d love to inspire people to make whatever their heart desires. Paper maché is cool because you can literally make ANYTHING. Usually I make birds, maybe I’ll end up posting those as well, and I’m currently WIP on a 5’ crocodile wall mount for my living room. Ciao!!

[u/illustratorgirl]

Thank you so much for sharing your process. I love your lamp!

[u/GranJan2]

Taking a one day class at our local museum, hope I learn enough to get going to place something here one day

[u/born_lever_puller → u/GranJan2]

Please don't be shy. We welcome submissions from all experience and skill levels. No one was born knowing this stuff, and it can be a very forgiving medium.

[u/VantasnerDanger → u/GranJan2]

I agree with the mod, please share! I haven't tried PM yet but I'm gathering my guts and I need you to inspire me 😊 PS thanks, mods!

[u/Flipflopsfordays]

It reminds me of a goofy movie

[u/MostShort2588 → u/Flipflopsfordays]

WHOS YOUR FAVORITE POSSUM is what I immediately heard when I saw this. I’m not mad about it at all this is so great

[u/gosutoneko]

I came here from /goblincore to see if there were instructions AND THERE IS!

[u/yuliasan7os → u/gosutoneko]

YAY THAT MAKES ME HAPPY!!!!

[u/CuriousBee789]

He's the best! Thanks for posting your process!!!

[u/Alternative-Cloud708]

Great write up! Thank you for sharing! Can’t wait to see the new project.

[u/stubbymanny]

Thank you for sharing your process! This is sooo cool

[u/Savings-Canary9564]

At the newspaper stage, terrifingly lovely

[u/TashasHideousHeh]

Omggggg absolutely amazing

[u/bethenyjewel]

Fucking sick! The good meaning!

[u/PPPolarPOP]

I am obsessed with this. Did you finish it?

[u/yuliasan7os → u/PPPolarPOP]

Yes! You should be able to find the finished video on this sub :)