The Diving Bell

January 30, 2020

The Diving Bell

My drama class makes a film every year instead of a stage production. We write our own scripts and songs, make our own props and costumes, and generally goof-around quite a bit. For Episode 3 of our series "The Incredible Intergalactic Adventures of Lightning Speed," we needed an antique looking diving bell that could be worn and carried about. And since it didn't actually have to get wet, lol, paper mache seemed like the way to go.

I love the freedom and creativity that comes with paper mache. You can make almost anything out of it. You can build armatures, add on found objects, use cardboard, etc. I can build almost anything out of this stuff. There are, of course, several different ways to go about paper mache-ing, but I've always stuck to the tried-and-true method my dad taught me when I was little. Sta-flo liquid starch (from the laundry aisle) and strips of newspaper.

To begin, I blew up one of those big round punch balloons. This I covered with layers and layers of paper mache. You need to let each layer dry before moving on to the next (a fan helps) and at least 6 layers will be necessary (depending on how thick you lay them on) for the sphere to keep it's shape when you pop the balloon. When it's dry press in the side with your finger. If it dents in, you need more layers. Pop the balloon! Next, a large piece of cardboard was cut and bent to act as the shoulder and chest portion. Card board strips and rings were attached with masking tape for the front and side windows. Then the new pieces and all the connections got a few layers of paper mache.

Next cut out the portions of paper mache that are over the holes. Make your kid wear it to check everything is going well.

As an art teacher and general hoarder of nifty things, I have a few bins full of little doo-dads for using in assemblage projects. Time to glue on some cool doo-dads to make this thing come to life!

As you can see, most of this is recyclable junk... lids, strawberry baskets, 2-liter bottle, etc. Dowel rods were added inside the front ring. Glue on rhinestones were added as bolts.

Time to paint! I usually spray my projects with a coat of flat black spray paint before anything else to act as a base layer. Next, a light spray of a metallic gold, and some hand brushing of black and metallics.

"What's that thing over the end of the 2-liter?" you ask... it's the basket from an old mouse trap game :P

Final details... I added pipe insulation around the edge and a neat-looking black rope I found at the hardware store along with some metal fittings. On the back, a printed gauge went in the large circular space on the tank apparatus.