Expert: Ginger Lordy - 6/26/2004

Question
I am looking for a way to make the outside of large boxes look like a cave.  Any ideas?  This project needs to be done by July 10th.  Thanks, bert

Answer
Hi Bert,

I think there are a few ways to make a box look like a cave.  I am not sure if you are making a number of caves or using a number of boxes to make one big cave - either way this should work, if you want to make one big cave just open up the boxes and tape them into the shape you want.

What I recommend is using papier mache to change the shape of the outside by making it rocky.  You could bunch up mounds of newspaper into the shape of a 1/2 of a rock - tape each mound over the box, with masking tape (don't use too much; the papier mache will stick to it but it would rather stick to the paper) Stagger the rocks, and use different sizes and shapes.  You can make the newspaper into any shape you want so if you want to make an arch instead of bumpy you can do that too.

After you have the shape you desire you can papier mache over the rocks to make it one big cave.  


*Papier mache

I use a 1/2 white glue (Elmer's) 1/2 warm water mix, I find it works best in a dishpan but any bucket will do.  Mix it up and then take stips of newspaper, dip them in the mix.

You will want to get it nice and wet but then wipe off the extra - I run the strips between my pointer and middle finger to get off the excess.  Then place the strips over the form.  A criss-cross design works well and is very strong.  The papier is very pliable and will pretty much form any shape and it will become very strong when it is dry.  

If you have time to cover the whole cave twice, it would be really strong, but it time is a concern you can get away with doing a double coat of paper on one day but let it dry, it needs to dry well, out in the sun for a day is great.

After the papier mache is dry, paint over the outside with brown and/or grey depending on your needs. It might need 2 or 3 coats. If you really want to get fancy you would go to a craft store and buy some silk grasses and glue them in between a few of the rocks. I would use a hot glue gun if you have it, if not any glue should work fine.  You could also apply a plastic insect or two for fun.

For a much simpler solution you could draw different color rocks on the outside of the box and sponge paint them different shades of brown and grey and black, with perhaps some green grass growing in between the rocks.

Hope this helps, it sounds fun, if you have any questions please email me again.

Ginger@CelebrateArtSF.com