By pam2cats from RI
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In preparation for a LOT of Paper Mache crafts this winter,(plan to make a complete Suit of Armor for my 8 yr. old grandson), I did my research about how to do it. It takes PASTE to stick together, otherwise it will just fall apart when dry. (Glossy paper is what is preferred for best paper mache crafts, so I have a one foot stack in a box, all from unwanted paper.)
I use ALL junk mail and unwanted opened mail
as firestarter in my firepit, which burns MUCH better than newspaper wads, and you don't have to wad it much. Then I take the accumulated ashes out about three times a year and sprinkle them around the yard and garden where undesireable garden pests
hang the most, often mixing them in water, and a tiny amt. of dish liq., splashing on areas where mold tries to grow.
As winter sets in here, we will use the accumulated free "fuel" to start our trees dead limb cuttings for warmth while we sit around the pit and converse during frost-free early evenings, with warm cocoa or hot herbal Lemon Balm tea, with extra lemon, from the garden. We don't take the useless local newspaper. Ours never has much news and we are LOW income, remember!
However, shredded paper from my few OFFICE working friends really composts well! I intend on stopping by the nearby Starbucks and asking for some coffee grounds to add, too. Hope I keep the
right soil balance. lol
God's blessings to you.
I've done this with personal letters before, but never thought to use it instead of shredding other papers with personal information--neat idea!
Maybe you could make paper mache stuff out of the papers containing confidential information.
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