Laura Smith
There are several ways to create fake mushrooms, and the method you choose will depend on the purpose of your project and the materials you have available. For example, if you're creating a large mushroom for a party prop or a vivarium, you might opt for paper mache or oven-baked modelling clay. Smaller mushrooms can be crafted from GS, hot glue, or even kiln-fired clay, if you have access to a kiln.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Materials | Oven-bake modelling clay, GS, hot glue, paper mache, tinfoil, foam clay, mod podge/PVA glue, newspaper |
| Process | Shape the material, sculpt details, let it dry, coat with glue, paint |
| Tips | Make large items hollow so they bake evenly, ensure paper mache dries thoroughly between layers to prevent mould |
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What You'll Learn
Use oven-bake modelling clay
Polymer clay, also known as oven-baked clay, is a versatile option for crafting fake mushrooms. It is convenient for at-home crafters and creates a durable finished product. To make fake mushrooms using oven-baked modelling clay, start by preparing your workspace. Cover your work surface with parchment or wax paper to prevent the clay from sticking and making a mess.
Next, condition your clay until it is malleable. You can use red and white polymer clay to create a classic mushroom design. Form a small ball of red clay, about 1 inch in diameter, to create the mushroom cap. Flatten the bottom so that it has a 1-1/4 inch diameter, and taper the edges toward the middle to create a domed shape about 3/4 inch high in the centre.
To add the spots to the mushroom cap, roll out tiny balls of white clay, about 1/8 inch in diameter, and gently flatten them into disks. Place these white disks in various spots around the red cap, gently pushing them into the red clay so that they attach smoothly. To create the stem, roll out a small white cylinder and gently squish the tip into the underside cavity of the red cap. Push the pieces together firmly but gently, so they stick together without losing their shape.
Place your clay mushrooms on a baking sheet and bake at 275 °F (130 °C) for 15 minutes per 1/4 inch (6 mm) thickness. The baking time may vary depending on the thickness of your mushrooms, so adjust accordingly. Once your mushrooms are out of the oven, let them cool completely before handling.
To add a shiny finish to your fake mushrooms, apply a glossy craft sealant like Mod Podge. You can also use paint to decorate your mushrooms. Acrylic paint, such as an earthy tone like coffee bean, can give your mushrooms a realistic appearance. Allow your paint to dry completely before handling.
With oven-baked modelling clay, you can create durable and adorable fake mushrooms. This project is perfect for beginners and can add a whimsical touch to your home decor or fairy garden.
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Try paper mache
Papier-mâché is a great way to make fake mushrooms, and you can use easily accessible materials to do so. The process is simple, but it will take some time, so be prepared to wait at least two days for your mushroom to be ready.
To start, you will need to gather your materials. For the stem, you can use recycled cylinder-shaped containers, such as empty cans, paper towel rolls, or even an aluminium roasting pan. For the cap, you will need cardboard, newspaper, masking tape, and your chosen adhesive.
Begin by shaping your stem. You can use an aluminium can, or two stacked together, and cover it with duct tape. If you're using a pan, turn it upside down and wad up newspapers to place on top, securing them with masking tape. For the cap, cut a circle out of cardboard that is several inches larger than your stem. Cut another circle out of lightweight paper and coat it with your adhesive. You can make your own adhesive by mixing equal parts school glue and water, or using liquid starch or wallpaper glue.
Now, tear your newspaper into strips and dip them into your adhesive. Apply these strips to the top of your mushroom cap, working from the rim to the centre. You may need to use wider strips at the start to help shape the cap. Keep adding layers until you are happy with the shape, and remember to let each layer dry before adding a new one.
Once your mushroom form is complete and dry, you can start painting. Use acrylic paint in your desired colours, and consider adding polka dots to resemble a toadstool. Finally, seal your mushroom with either a matte or gloss sealant. If you want to keep your mushroom outside, use marine-grade varnish.
With some time and creativity, you can make wonderful fake mushrooms using papier-mâché.
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Shape with tinfoil and cover in foam clay
If you want to make fake mushrooms, a good method is to shape them with tinfoil and cover them in foam clay. This is a simple and effective way to create realistic-looking mushrooms without needing to use real mushrooms as a base.
To start, take a sheet of tinfoil and begin to shape it into a rough mushroom form. You can make the stem and cap separately and then join them together, or create the entire structure in one piece. The beauty of using tinfoil is that it is easy to manipulate and can be moulded into various shapes and sizes. Once you are happy with the basic structure, you can use foam clay to cover the tinfoil.
Foam clay is a lightweight and flexible material that is perfect for creating the textured surface of a mushroom. It is available in various colours, including shades of brown and red, which are commonly associated with mushrooms. Gently press and smooth the clay onto the tinfoil, ensuring that all areas are covered. Use your fingers or a modelling tool to sculpt in the details of the mushroom, such as gills or ridges. You can also add texture by gently pressing or poking the clay with various tools to create a more realistic surface.
After you have finished sculpting and detailing your mushroom, set it aside to dry for at least 24 hours. The drying time may vary depending on the thickness of your clay application and environmental factors such as humidity. Once completely dry, you can further enhance the durability and finish of your mushroom by coating it with a layer of mod podge, PVA glue, or plastidip. This step will also prepare the surface for painting.
For the final step, you can paint your fake mushroom with acrylic paint in your desired colours and designs. You can create realistic-looking mushrooms by using earthy tones and shading techniques, or you can get creative and use vibrant colours for a whimsical effect. The paint will adhere well to the prepared surface, and you can add as much detail as you like to make your fake mushrooms come to life!
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Carve GS or clay
If you want to make fake mushrooms, carving GS or using clay are two possible methods.
Carve GS
One approach is to make a blob of GS and then carve it into the desired mushroom shape. GS, or "Sculpey", is an oven-bake modelling clay that is easy to work with and allows for a high level of detail. It does not dry out but will stiffen over time, and you can mix the standard colours to achieve lifelike variations. However, it is a bit expensive at $2-$4 per block. When creating large items with GS, it is important to make them hollow so they bake evenly.
Use Clay
Another option is to use clay to form your mushrooms. You can use air-dry clay or oven-baked clay. Air-dry clay is easy to work with and perfect for beginners, and you can purchase it from Amazon, craft stores, or art supply stores. You can also make your own clay with a simple recipe. To form the mushrooms, roll out a small ball of clay and flatten the bottom, tapering the edges toward the middle to create a domed cap. Then, roll out a tiny ball and press it flat onto the cap. To create the stem, roll out a small piece of clay, making it thicker at the bottom and tapering it up to the point where it will attach to the cap. Use a toothpick to carve lines on the bottom of the cap, add a dab of water to the centre of the cap's bottom, and gently push the cap onto the stem. Allow your creation to air-dry thoroughly for a few days, or bake it at 200F for around an hour. You can paint your mushrooms with acrylic paint, using earthy tones like coffee bean or creating a rainbow of bright colours.
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Use hot glue
To create fake mushrooms using hot glue, you will need a hot glue gun, hot glue sticks, and possibly some parchment paper. You can also use fairy lights to create glowing mushrooms, as well as aquarium half marbles, foliage, and moss to create a base. Mica powder can be used to colour the mushrooms, and a wood board can be used as a base.
Begin by creating the stems of the mushrooms. If using fairy lights, start by making the stems with the lights at the top of the mushroom. You can reinforce the stems with hot glue. Alternatively, you can create stems using polymer clay and a skewer. Shape the clay into a tube, insert the skewer, then smoothen it into a stem. Remove the stem from the skewer and create a slit on one side.
Next, create the mushroom caps or heads. You can do this by drizzling hot glue to create little oval shapes with a raised area in the middle. You can also use polymer clay and shape it into a mushroom head by pushing the flat bottom inward and the outer top curved downward. You can make the heads in various sizes and widths.
Finally, attach the mushroom caps to the stems using a drop of hot glue. Hold the cap in place until the glue dries to prevent slipping. You can also add some mica powder to colour the mushrooms without affecting their ability to shine light through.
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Frequently asked questions
Oven-baked modelling clay, paper mache, hot glue, and foam clay are all viable options for making fake mushrooms.
Form the clay into the desired shape and size. If you're making a large mushroom, remember to make it hollow so it bakes evenly. Once it's dried, you can paint it.
First, create the shape of the mushroom top and stem using an aluminium pan and cylinders. Then, tear strips of newspaper and dip them into the paper mache solution. Apply these strips to the form you've created, layering until you achieve the desired shape. Let it dry thoroughly between layers. Finally, paint the mushroom and add any desired decorations.
First, create a rough shape out of tinfoil. Then, cover it in foam clay, sculpting in the details. After it dries, coat it with mod podge, PVA glue, or plastidip, and paint with acrylics.
