Project designed by Ivan Reece.
Materials:
pillar post cardboard egg carton - flat solid top with tall pillars inside (figure A)
short scissors
white glue
rubber bands
6" ruler
utility knife
pencil
1/4" paper punch
acrylic, poster or tempera paints:
- gray
- black
- white
- pink
paint brushes
Steps:
Cutting the Carton
- Body pillar - Cut around the pillars at the height where the pillar meets the center of the carton, approximately 1-3/4" from the top of the pillar. Trim and square the bottom of one pillar to approximately 1-1/2".
- Two head cups - Remove other pillars. Cut down between the cups and across the middle of the carton. The "head" cups will come from the middle of the carton, not an end cup. Once the "head" cups have been cut from the carton, trim them by cutting around each cup approximately 5/8" from the bottom.
- Two ears - Cut the two ears from middle cups. Trim to approximately 1/4" from the bottom of the cup.
- Two legs - Cut two legs around the corners of the egg carton lid. Cut a 7/8" circle with a foot pointing out along the bottom lip. Make sure the feet are cut in opposite directions to create a left and a right foot.
- Two arms - Cut two arms from the sides of the carton's lid. Make the arms 1/2" x 2" with rounded ends.
- Cheek area - Cut the cheeks from the side of the lid. Cheeks look like a squashed heart measure approximately 1-1/4" x 1". The bottom of the "heart" is the top section of the cheek area.
- Teeth - Cut a 1/2" square with a slight "v" cut on the bottom from the side of the egg carton lid.
- Tail - Cut a 2-1/2" long tail from the side of the egg carton lid. Make the tail 1/4" wide on one end, tapering to a point on the opposite end.
- Nose - Cut the nose from the tab that holds the carton closed. Round the thin end of the tab.
- Two Eyes - Punch two 1/4" holes from the side of the egg carton lid.
Sculpting the Mouse
Tip: Whenever gluing, put glue on both pieces that are to be glued together. Use a rubber band to hold the pieces until the glues dries. Be patient during this process.
- Glue the two head cups together and allow glue to dry. The rounded part of the carton is the top of the mouse's head; the pointed part is the bottom.
- Glue the smooth side of the teeth to the inside of the cheeks, rough side out. Teeth should extend slightly below the cheeks. Allow glue to dry.
- Glue the cheeks to the front of the head, covering the indented section. Allow glue to dry.
- Glue nose to the upper front of the head, slightly overlapping the cheeks. Let glue dry.
- Glue an ear to each side of the top seam on the head. The pointed section of the ear should point down towards the center of the head. Let glue dry.
- Glue a leg to each side of the body pillar. Let glue dry.
- Glue an arm to each side of the body above the legs. Let glue dry.
- Carefully curl and loop the tail. Glue it to the back of the body. Let glue dry.
- Glue the head to the body. Let glue dry.
- Once carton sculpture is completely dry, paint using thick paint. Some pieces will need a second coat of paint to cover the sections of the carton with labels.
Tips:
- Wash hands with soap and water after handling used egg cartons.
- Various types of cardboard egg cartons can be found in most grocery, specialty food, or feed and grain stores.
Resources Make Your Own egg carton sculpture kits
egg carton sculpture kits available
Reece's Recess
Scottsdale, AZ
US
Phone: 480-443-8946
Email:
iwreece@aol.com
URL:
www.reeces-recess.com
Guests Ivan Reece
Cardboard Sculptor, Reece's Recess
Scottsdale, AZ
Phone: 480-443-8946
Email:
iwreece@aol.com
URL:
www.reeces-recess.com
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