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How To Make A Paper Mache Narwhal Bust

The built-in bookcases in the nursery have officially been filled with board books, toys, stuffed animals, framed prints, and a few other random bobs and bits that I hope our little man will love feasting his eyes (and mouth?) upon. We even created an easy paper mache craft there on the bottom left shelf. Can you spot him?

Bookcases1

Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce Norman The Narwhal. He’s FAR from a perfect specimen, but it was the sweetest project to do with soon-to-be big sister Clara. I think I love him more for his handmade wonkiness than anything else. Dude has some serious character going on. So let’s file this under “made by a kid with a little help from mom for her baby brother.”

Bookcases3

Plus, it’s an easy craft to customize to make whatever animal you want to capture as a cheeky, faux bust display.

How We Made A Paper Mache Narwal Bust

Here was our inspiration (which is nowhere near as wonky, and very charming indeed), and here’s how Clara and I had fun subbing in paper mache for a styrofoam ball, made the horn a different way, used buttons for eyes, etc.

Narwal After

Step 1: Buy or Make Your Wood Plaque

We picked up a small wooden craft plaque from JoAnn for around $3 with a coupon, but you could also cut your own shape out of a piece of wood if you’d prefer.

Step 2: Paint Or Stain Your Plaque

We decided to paint our plaque white using a leftover sample container we had around. This was an easy step for a 3-year-old to help with. Plus, you could choose any color or choose to stain it for a wood grain look.

Narwal 1and2

Step 3: Add Your Paper Mache Ingredients

Admittedly it had been a while since we paper-mached anything, but luckily you probably already have the ingredients around the house: it’s just flour and water. Here’s another great paper-mache tutorial if you’d like to see this process on video!

Step 4: Mix Until Smooth

Mix your flour and water in a bowl until you get the consistency of thick soup. We made waaaay too much). Clara LOVED this part, hence the comically large batch. She kept wanting to add more water and more flour and “stir, stir, stir” things up.

Narwal 3and4

Step 5: Build Your Animal Head

Next, we used some small strips of newspaper dipped in our “soup” to make our narwhal head. Most paper mache crafts have you layer these soggy paper strips over a balloon. You can easily customize the size of your project with a balloon. Plus, it removes easily (just pop it!) when your paper has dried.

We didn’t have a balloon handy so we sort of just crumbled up a ball of paper to build around. It didn’t make for the smoothest finished project, but having a lightweight base that we could leave under the shell did help constructing the narwall head in the following steps. So maybe not having a balloon was a happy accident!

Narwal 5and6

Step 6: Built Your Narwal Tusk

While our paper mache dried, we turnd our attention to the narwal’s tusk. For ours, we found a small wood dowel and trimmed it to about 5″. But a pencil or firm straw would also work!

Step 7: Wrap Tape To Create Your Shape

To create the tapered horn shape of the tusk, we gently coiled some painters tape from the top to the bottom of the dowel, wrapping larger loops as we went. We could’ve used more paper to form a cone under the tape, but we were going for a lightweight tusk so it wouldn’t sag.

Step 8: Wrap Decorative Tape On The Last Layer

For the final layer of the tusk, we switched to a yellow polka dot washi tape that I had on hand. It’s hard to see in the pictures, but it was a nice way to introduce a little bit of fun pattern. We also coated the tusk in a layer of matte Mod Podge just to lock everything in place.

Narwal 7and8

Step 9: Paint Your Paper Mache Head

While our Mod Podge dried, we paintd our narwal head using some blue craft paint. But again, this is a great chance to customize yours with whatever color suits you!

Step 10: Glue A Screw

In order to put the the tusk to the head, we first used Aileen’s Tacky Glue to glue a long screw to the inside of the dowel of our horn, which we let dry for a nice long time.

Narwal 9and10

Step 11: Attach The Tusk

Once our narwhal face was dry and the glue for our screw had cured up, we screwws it right in to the paper mache for that horned look. I even made a small pilot hole with our drill to get things started (Clara LOVES anything drill related, so this was a thrilling step for her as well).

Narwal 11

Step 12: Add Personality

We glued on some buttons to give our narwal eyes and drew a small smile on with Sharpie, but really anything goes at this point. Give it a bow! Draw freckles! Add a hat! Have fun!

Step 13: Glue To Your Plaque

With the narwal fully constructed, we used more glue to attach the head to our painted plaque from the first step. We also added some dash marks around the border with a paint pen, and added string to the back so it would hang.

Narwal After

This was such a project to involve our daughter with, and we think the final creation is so filled with personality (plus really screams “a 3-year-old helped make this!”).

Over the years I’ve been asked if I think obviously fake creations like these (or a ceramic ram head, or a cardboard deer head) might glorify the act of mounting an actual animal head. I’m sure everyone has different opinions about this (it’s such a highly personal thing) but I’ve thought about it for a while, and I don’t believe faux taxidermy makes any sort of pro-real-taxidermy statement. To me, it’s just like using faux sheepskins in our house instead of real ones, or how people might buy faux fur coats. Another example would be how animal rights activists like Stella McCartney will design things with faux leather (real leather = against her beliefs, but she’ll use the imitation to make a statement that there are great alternatives to the real thing).

Bookcases3

Now I’m excited to start in on some other personality-adding details, like a pair of colorful curtains, and a large-scale mobile for over the crib. This is just some bad photoshop below, but I have an old manzanita branch that I think could be fun with lots of colorful shapes hanging off of it at a ton of different lengths and depths.

Mobile Photoshop

So those are next on the list. What are you guys up to when it comes to bookcase-filling and art-making? Anyone else breaking out the paper mache? Clara kept trying to eat it, which was both comical and surprisingly ok (it is made from flour and water).

Psst- To see our nursery progress from the very beginning, here’s the planning and rug-buying post, the dresser-sourcing post, the wall and ceiling painting rundown, the first half of built-in building, the second half of the built-in project, and how we added crown molding and a homemade crib skirt.

Comments

  1. Carrie K says

    My husband informs me that there are some pretty good narwhal videos on youtube:) He played for an ultimate frisbee team that was called Narwhals and that was their little logo too. Really cute idea!

    Reply

  3. Sara says

    I really, really love it! You always have he per to balance of decor without feeling crowded or overdone. I stand in my house and feel like it has plenty, but then I take a photo and it feels bare.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      That chair was from Joss & Main a while back (it used to sit in our last house’s kitchen in the corner across from the fireplace). Here it was sitting in the office but we don’t think it would last in there long-term (after we add desks and storage, etc) so it made sense to use it in the nursery. It’s super comfy!

      xo
      s

  7. Jenny F says

    In love with the nursery, and Clara for loving her brother so much! Just had an idea for the mobile, if you are going with the bike theme – how about using the rim from an old tricycle or small bike for the ring of the mobile (maybe painted green?) – then hanging the cute colored shapes from it? Even if it’s too “theme-y” would be CUTE!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      We have seen that and think it’s really cute, but we worry it’s a little heavy for over a crib (a manzanita branch is super light, like balsa wood). We’ll have to see where we end up! We’ll definitely have the bike art on the other wall to represent bikes in here either way ;)

      xo
      s

  9. Kelly says

    So nice! The Barnacle will love it!

    Both my kiddos referred to their not-born siblings as ‘my baby’. It worked so well as they weren’t a bit jealous with the new babies (I have three – no longer babies : )

    The other thing that worked out well, just FYI, was having a Big Brother/Big Sister box filled with little gifts/activities for them after the baby was born. I had little things for them for a week or two after the baby was born so they could celebrate their Big Sibling-ness. We still have the boxes that I decorated for them filled with memorabilia. Can’t recommend this highly enough!

    Reply

  10. Bethany says

    This is coming together! Love watching the process.

    Where’d the chair/loveseat in the corner come from? Did I miss something?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      That chair was from Joss & Main a while back (it used to sit in our last house’s kitchen in the corner across from the fireplace). Here it was sitting in the office but we don’t think it would last in there long-term (after we add desks and storage, etc) so it made sense to use it in the nursery. It’s super comfy!

      xo
      s

  11. Jocelyn says

    Love the narwhal!! I have two empty glass lamps in my kids’ shared room that I’ve been trying to find a cute way to fill. I’ve considered making some kind of paper mach animal to put inside because everything else I’ve tried I haven’t liked the look of or it hasn’t fit. I’ve been lazy and not wanted to bust out the paper mache mess but you may have inspired me to get over it and just do it since it’s been a year and a half. :)

    Your shelves looks so happy and I think it is awesome that Clara is so happy to pass things down to little brother. She’s going to be a great big sister.

    Reply

  13. Jenn says

    A narwhal’s “horn” comes out of its mouth, not its head, because it’s actually a tooth. Just FYI because I like narwhals. I think you made a “whale-icorn”.

    Reply

    • Jessica says

      Agreed. My kids were horrified to see the horn coming out of its head like a unicorn, lol. But it’s a fun little project and I’m sure it was thrilling for Clara.

  16. Sayward says

    Ceramic inch worm and snail for the win!

    Random ceramic animal chatter: I have West Elm’s snail in my bathroom, but yours looks different and cuter. Maybe there were two sizes and I got the big one? Now I have petite snail envy. Also, I can’t believe you’ve been quietly adopting more ceramic babies into your family without shouting their arrival to the Internet! What are their names? How big is your secret stash of undocumented friends? Who else haven’t we met? My friend was at a Ross or Marshall’s in NYC and casually scored the white ceramic dachshund of my dreams to give as a gift for her mom. I’ve considered breaking into her mom’s house and stealing it…

    Oh and your shelves look completely fabulous. Clara is such a sweet and generous little girl.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Haha, you’re so sweet Sayward! The little snail friend was a gift from a sweet friend name Jacelyn (dude needs a name, pronto) but I think he came from Target’s Threshold line? Maybe WE has something similar though? I have no inchworm name yet either, so I better get on that. Maybe I should consult Clara…

      xo
      s

  17. Meghann says

    I love that you got your paper mâché on!!! It’s such a fun project to do with little ones! Two years ago my daughter and I tackled one together. It was much larger but oh so fun since she was way into “my little pony” and was loving unicorns. Here is the link to our inspiration. http://www.lilblueboo.com/2012/04/paper-mache-animal-heads-a-tutorial.html
    We however found wrapping paper at cost plus that she picked out and tore it and used that instead of book pages. It’s still one of my favorite things in there. In fact we made two. One for her and one for a friend!!!
    Love the room. Can’t wait to see how it continues to evolve.

    Reply

  18. Robin says

    When I was pregnant with my daughter, my hubby and I always called her “baby narwhal” (especially before we found out that she was going to be a she). So naturally, I adore your Norman :)

    Reply

  20. Laura C says

    Just a helpful hint about the mobile – make sure it has 3D images. Lay down under it and see if the objects can be noticed. If they are 2D, it might be uninteresting to the barnacle. I remember someone telling me this MANY years ago. My baby is 31. :(

    Reply

  22. Sarah says

    Very sweet progress! When I saw the tree branch I instantly envisioned felt balls… I think Clara could help with that project since it doesn’t require needles. Using warm soapy water you can make any shape or size. It would be a fun messy job!

    Reply

  23. Sara says

    Charley Harper is (was) a graphic artist that has fantastic prints that would look great in there. And an Alexander Calder inspired mobile would look great as well!

    Reply

  25. Karen says

    Ok, seriously, do you just have natural-born talent to dress shelves? Or did someone teach ya? All your decorated shelves should win awards!!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      You’re so sweet Karen! I just put a ton of stuff up there and nudge it all around and step back and change things and step back again. It’s a funny little shelf-dance that happens.

      xo
      s

  26. Megan says

    Loving the room so far! Our first is due in July and his/her room (mystery baby) :) is currently the guest room/dog’s room. Lol. We’re going to go with grey walls and then green, orange and yellow around the room. I had an idea for your mobile, how about making yarn pom-poms to hang? I’m torn between doing a mobile with yarn poms or a big display of tissue paper pom-poms. So looking forward to seeing more of the nursery as it comes along. :)

    Reply

  27. Kristen says

    Norman is so cute! The handmade-ness just makes him all the more special!

    And, that mobile would look so amazing in that large open space. It is to die for!

    Reply

  28. Kate says

    Hey guys – this room is so sweet and it has only just begun – awesome! Can you share the dimensions of the room? I likely missed it in a previous post.

    Reply

  29. jessi says

    I love this nursery! Green is my favorite color, so I am definitely appreciative of your sweet and subtle use of the color to give the room personality. :)

    Just out of curiosity, I was wondering what you did with all of the gifts you received on your book tour? Do you usually plan to incorporate them, regift, donate, etc? My friend and I did gift you a couple of large pillows, and I totes understand if they aren’t your cup of tea. haha I was just wondering about them and all of the other sweet presents I saw at the book signings. :)

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      You’re so sweet Jessi! We try to integrate those crazy-thoughtful gifts whenever we can (there’s some art hanging in Clara’s room for example) but so many rooms in this house are so far from being done that I still have piles of art and pillows and decorative accessories (many of which are ours from our last house, so they’re not all from the tour or anything) that are waiting to be dealt with in various cabinets or the unfinished storage room. Can’t wait to get more on the walls and work in more textiles/accessories as we go!

      xo
      s

  30. Emily says

    May I ask where you found the wooden block with the blue whale on It? It is just precious and I would love to get it for a pregnant friend of mine!

    Reply

  31. Jenn says

    Just a suggestion obviously but what about a little flag banner above the crib made from Clara’s photo fabric! I can’t remember off hand if there were any that would work in a boys room but I adding sentimental touches to rooms. They feel so much more special. :)

    Reply

  32. Julianne says

    I took a peek through your stunning photos before reading the whole thing and I thought your photoshopped mobile was real! I love the way it looks. Fresh and bright. Your bookcases look lovely and I really like how you paired the dark chair with the colourful alligator in the room. You are soooo good at staging! May I ask where you purchased the blue chair?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Aw thanks Julianne! That was from Joss & Main a few years ago (it was in the corner of our office here, but we don’t think we’ll use it there long-term, and it used to be by the fireplace in our last house’s kitchen).

      xo
      s

  33. Allyson says

    Could Clara be any sweeter? She’ll be the best big sister ever! And I like seeing more color coming into the room. Have you guys thought any more about painting the backs of the built-ins?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Yes, we’re leaning towards adding things like colorful curtains, art, the mobile, and even painting the closet door before we do built-in painting, just to make sure we don’t add too much into the room at the same time ;)

      xo
      s

  34. Jenny M says

    So sweet that Clara’s getting ready for her bro!

    What’s your plan for the bigger toys that you guys have gifted to her over the years — things like the play kitchen? Will that remain hers, and you’ll make/find/buy another for her brother? Will you encourage her to pass it down to him at some point? Will it become “theirs”?

    Toys in our house seem to segue from “so-and-so’s” to “the family’s” over time, so by the time our younger is ready for, say, a first bike, his big brother’s bike is no longer just his own. It seems like the kind of thing that different families would handle differently, though.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      I think we’re going to play it by ear with stuff like that. If Clara and her brother both love something, like the play kitchen, they can either both play with it in her room or we can move it into a more public area (like the corner of the living room or office). We figure there might be some things one child loves more while the other is over (ex: I can see the train board ending up in the nursery since Clara doesn’t use it as much anymore but LOVES her dollhouse and kitchen a ton more). Will keep you posted on where things end up!

      xo
      s

  35. Drew says

    Don’t know if you might be interested but I will be on TV in your area this weekend. There’s a show.. Today’s Homeowner with Danny Lipford that taped an episode at my house recently. Set your DVR on WTVR CBS for 5:30am Saturday. It is a nationally syndicated show that is based in Mobile, Al. Airs at different times in the various markets. You should ask them to come visit your house and do an episode. They travel throughout the country taping.

    Reply

  37. Amanda L. says

    I just rearranged our bookcases this weekend. I went with the ‘fill the shelf’ model, instead of having 10 half-filled shelves, I now have seven filled ones, and the other three have knick-knacks on them. I like it, but need to play with how the books are arranged (right now it’s be ‘subject’, then height).

    Also, I LOVE the pea necklace that is one of the linked posts. I can see a Mother’s Day gift being checked off the list!

    Reply

  38. Lynn @ Our Useful Hands says

    Bravo! The mix of height, depth, color and subject came together really nicely with all of these additions. Personally, I’m not a big fan of mobiles over the crib (I have alot of paranoia about things falling on my bebes even with all safety measures in place) but I don’t knock others who love them. So the one you have pictured is very nice and it’s a kinda a boy themed throwback to Claras old dangly chandelier from the first house right? It had those pretty pink shimmery hanging disks if my mind serves me well. Such cohesive living.

    My best, Lynn

    Reply

  41. Bethany says

    Glad to see you have Snuggle Puppy and The Going to Bed Book (as well as other Sandra Boynton books). Do you have A Cow Says Moo? That’s hands-down the best one :)

    Reply

  46. Courtney says

    I book marked a zebra & fox tutorial like this I wanted to do for our boys room. Since we adopted him we only had about 6 weeks to get his room ready (and we had been using it as storage, shame on us). So I’m super jealous that you actually made one. Maybe I’ll get to it when he’s a bit bigger and I have 2 hands to craft with again! His room still needs some major attention. Poor guy!

    Reply

  47. Marcella says

    The room looks awesome! Great job!
    The giant branch mobile is a great idea. Have you ever seen yarn or embroidery floss wrapped branches? It could be one way to seal the bark if you don’t poly.

    Reply

  49. linda says

    Clara’s generosity is heart warming. All of her contributions worked really well with your color palette. Did you edit any out that weren’t? Steer her in any direction? Or is she just a natural decorator like her parents? The room is looking adorable and I love the oversized mobile. You are in the home stretch!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Anything she brought in was kept, just because I’d never want to discourage her generosity. She seems to think her brother will love gators and trucks and monkeys and robots, so it’ll be fun to see if she’s right!

      xo
      s

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