Paper Mache Tree Stump Stool

Add some whimsy to your home with this paper mache DIY tree stump stool. (I did paper mache in grammar school is this is pretty much the same.) We provide a lot of step by step visuals on our site (too many for here) plus a printable instruction packet. We'll just show the basics here.
SUPPLIES


5 gallon pail Empty pails can be purchased at hardware stores and in the Walmart paint section.


Small piece of wood (1 square foot of MDF (medium-density fiberboard or plywood)


2" flat head nut and bolt


Jigsaw (to cut wood)


Drill (for center hole)


Newspaper


White glue


Paint - dark brown, light brown, tan, black


Foil


Toilet paper tubes


Masking tape


Clear satin or gloss finish, spray or brush on


A 5 gallon pail and a piece of wood traced on the bottom is the stool base.
A 5 gallon pail and a circle piece of wood traced for the seat part. Turn the bucket upside down and place wood piece on what is the bottom of the bucket but will be the top of the stool.
Drill a hole through the center to fit the bolt through. Insert bolt and tighten nut onto the bolt from beneath (The nut should sink into wood and be flush with top of wood.
Gather toilet paper rolls and stuff them with newspaper - We used eight
Choose where you want your branches and thick roots and use masking tape to apply toilet paper tubes to the bucket. Rip off a 1 to 2 foot piece of foil and loosely roll it up into a tube - press foil into seams between toilet paper tubes and bucket to smooth out connections and fill gaps. Tape into place.
Cut newspaper into strips - most of ours were larger strips, about 1-2" x 5-6", but we also cut up some 1"x2" pieces for the areas that had more dips, grooves and edges because they lie flatter.
Dip newspaper into mixture, wipe excess off both sides and apply to entire surface of bucket and tubes, layering over one another as you go - this is the most time consuming part as it took about 2 hours (we only did 1 layer). Try to make it as smooth as possible.
Dip newspaper into mixture, wipe excess off both sides and apply to entire surface of bucket and tubes, layering over one another as you go - this is the most time consuming part as it took about 2 hours (we only did 1 layer). Try to make it as smooth as possible.
As mentioned above there are a variety of steps and instructions that were too much to add here. View our site post link at the bottom for full details and photos plus a printable instruction sheet.
Using watered down brown, take a thinner brush and draw a line around the top of the stool, about " in from the edge.
Finishing touches. This really does not require a lot of artistic ability. It just looks like it does! Check out our link below for more.
Nancy at Craft Your Happiness
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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Frequently asked questions
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  • Patty Patty on Oct 01, 2016
    Could a full grown man sit on one of these? (200#'s+). I think they would be cool for a game room but only if they could be used by the adults. I know for kids they would work. Great idea and lovely work by the way!
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  • Diane Diane on Oct 07, 2016
    I love this idea. What could you use to make paper mache' rocks? Balloons are too uniform in shape. I need some good sized rocks. Any ideas?
    • See 3 previous
    • Laura Laura on Nov 10, 2016
      I would justnews paper tightly and smooth wit glue anore soth news paper
  • Laura Laura on Nov 10, 2016
    I mad a large cactus usg this method and it was 10 y o and people still think its real in holds up well
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