Level:    Intermediate

Time needed:   1 hour

What you need:

• 1 x paper mache or foam egg
• Japanese paper [10cm (H) x 16cm (W)]
• EC craft clear gum
• Jo Sonja's decoupage varnish
• 2 x paint brushes (for glue and varnish)
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Pencil

What to do:

1. Measure the height of the egg by wrapping it using the entire piece of Japanese paper from the top of the egg, down and back around making a complete oval.
   
   
2. Mark the paper where the strip meets and divide the resulting measurements in half.
   
   
3. Measure the width of the egg by wrapping the entire piece of Japanese paper around the widest part of the egg to find the width measurement. Mark the paper where the strip meets.
   
   

   

   
   
4. Using the height and width markings, draw a rectangle on the back of the Japanese paper and cut it out. Fold the Japanese paper in half so the long sides meet.
   
   
5. On the back of the cut-out Japanese paper, rule two lines across the rectangle using a pencil. One line is 1.5cm down from the unfolded edge and one is 0.5cm up from the fold. (All pencil markings should be made lightly to avoid showing through to the other side.)
   
   
6. Mark 1cm intervals across the width of the paper down from the unfolded edge to the line near the folded edge.
   
   
   
   
   
7. Cut a zig zag pattern (indicated by dashed lines on the diagram) starting from the unfolded edge and working across the rectangle. The finished cut-out should look like a picket fence.
   
   
8. Unfold the cut-out paper and wrap it around the egg. Make sure the spokes at the tips meet at the top and bottom of the egg when pushed together. With a pencil, mark the egg where the fold in the middle of the paper falls. This will help you line up the paper accurately.
   
9. Apply clear gum using a paint brush to the top half of the egg. With the fold of the paper at the pencil mark, begin pushing down the spokes one at a time overlapping each other, so the tips meet at the top.
   (Hint: Glue each strand of paper separately and ensure it is flat before gluing the next strand.)
   
   
   
   
   
10. When all the top spokes have been pushed down, rub a little clear gum over the surface of the paper and press down any loose edges. Wipe off excess gum with a damp cloth.
    
    
11. Repeat the same steps as above for the bottom half of the egg.
    
    
12. Dry the egg by resting it on a bottle top. Apply a light coat of varnish to one half of the egg using a paint brush. When one side is dry do the same for the other half. Repeat this step until at least 5 coats of varnish have been applied to both sides.
    
    
    All done!