How to Make a Miniature Model of a Asian Pagoda
- 1). Stand a dowel rod atop the center of the first 6 by 6 inch cardboard piece. Trace the base of the rod onto the cardboard. Remove the rod. Cut out the circle in the cardboard. Repeat for the second piece of cardboard.
- 2). Slide the first cardboard piece three inches down over top the rod. Bond the cardboard piece into place at this position with permanent epoxy. Slide the second cardboard piece onto the rod. Make the upper side of the cardboard surface flush with the top of the rod. Bond the second piece to the rod with permanent epoxy.
- 3). Measure 1/2 inch to the left from the bottom right corner of the lower cardboard piece. Fit and bond a 2 inch piece of standard drinking straw upright in between the upper and lower cardboard pieces. Measure 1/2 inch to the right from the bottom left corner of the lower cardboard piece. Fit and bond a 2 inch piece of standard drinking straw upright in between the upper and lower cardboard pieces. Continue around the entire pagoda in this fashion until eight straw pillars are erected between the upper and lower cardboard pieces.
- 4). Bend the 6 by 10 inch cardboard piece in half so the six inch sides touch. Pre-crease and unfold the bend. You now have a "V" shape piece of cardboard to act as decorative roof. Fit and bond the "V" shape piece to the upper piece of cardboard. Cover the two hollow "V" shape openings with masking tape. The body of the pagoda is now complete.
- 5). Position the 2 by 6 inch cardboard piece on a flat surface so a two inch side is facing you. Bend the bottom edge upwards one inch. Bend the bottom edge under itself one inch. Continue until the entire piece is bent into the shape of stairs.
- 6). Position the three inch sides of the 2 by 3 inch right triangle cardboard pieces in a vertical position. Adjust each piece so the 45 degree side of each triangle is facing the same direction. Fit and bond the cardboard stairs in between the triangles. Center and bond the stairs up against one of the pagoda sides.
- 7). Combine the water and flour into a pot to make a paper mache mix. Boil the mix for three minutes. Allow the mix to cool for five minutes. Pour the mix into a medium size bowl.
- 8). Soak one newspaper strip into the mix. Press the strip into the body of the pagoda. Continue until the entire pagoda and stairs are covered in one layer of newspaper. Repeat with the white paper towel strips. Allow four hours for the pagoda to dry.
- 9). Coat the pagoda and stairs with acrylic paint. Allow two hours for the pagoda to dry before handling or displaying.
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