Make Your Own 3D Letter How To:

Heres a cool project where you can make your own 3D Letter, Number, or even Symbol.
Its made from paper and tape. With help from some Paper Mache.

Heres What You'll Need;;

1. A stencil of the number, letter, or symbol of your choice ( I make mine using the computer, just use the outline option in your font editor and print it out to the desired size you want to use.) *Use card stock for this as its thicker and more durable*
2. Scissors
3. Masking Tape
4. Newspaper
5. Paper Mache
6. A Ruler
7. Glue Stick
8. Paint to decorate; or old book, magazine, sheet music clippings.

* A little Heads up! The Bigger your Shape, the easier this project is.*

Heres the stencil I used. I highly suggest doubling up your card stock to make this sturdy for when you paper mache it, or it will bend and sag. Each heart is made from two pieces of  card stock glued together.

Once you get the object you want cut out its time to make the sides.

The smaller the project, the smaller strips you want. The bigger the project, the bigger the strips. 

For example, the heart is about 6" x 6". The number One I did below is about 11" x 2".
Small objects you'll want  about 1/2" strips.

Bigger objects you'll want about an inch to an inch and a half.

Start with one stencil. Tape the sides on just like I did here. Patience comes in handy when doing this. You want to make sure your getting the edges as close together as possible. Once you get all the side pieces attached to one side of the object, its time to stuff it with newspaper just like the one below.

This is a very important step to making a 3D shape. The newspaper acts as columns insuring that when you paper mache it wont collapse on itself. Once you have it all filled with newspaper as evenly as possible, tape on the other side. 

Now its time for Paper Mache!

Instructions on Paper Mache can be found HERE.

When Paper Maching this Project, make sure to do a couple layers (no more than 3), each one going in the opposite direction of the previous layer. You know.... Zig-Zag it. It will make it much more sturdier. 

When you have all the layers built up, you have the option of adding the final layer of old book pages, sheet music like I did here, old magazine clippings, etc. 

If you are painting, I HIGHLY recommend waiting at least a day for it to dry, and prime it white before adding other colors to insure the newsprint wont show thru. (unless you want that)

The Finished Project!

Let *all* Paper Mache dry for a good 24 hours. I dry mine on plastic so that it doesn't stick to anything.

The Number One I did for My sons First Birthday!

If you want to hang your project on a wall, just attach a picture hanger onto the back with some hot glue. I recommend making it thin if you hang it, so its not sticking out of the wall by over an inch. But, if thats what you want, then go for it. 

*TIP: Spray your Letter with a CLEAR coat of spray paint. It'll look nice and keep for a very long time! (plus its easier to dust)