Paper Mache Fish

Paper mache is a leap of faith for me.  I know projects will turn out in the end, but it seems like it's touch and go through the process!  I chose fish for our subject because they are simple enough that the first-time paper macher will have success.  We started the project by drawing and cutting the basic fish shape out of cardboard.  The next class we added a "pillow" of newspaper to give the fish dimension.  We also added our first layer of newspaper strips dipped in a water/glue mixture.  The next week we another layer of newspaper followed by a layer of white copy paper (this makes a nice surface to paint on.)  Finally, the last week we painted with tempera paint.  I added a paperclip hanger on the back, a plastic fish eye, and a coat of clear poly.