Rachel

I'd love some tips! I started making one a few weeks ago for my dd's birthday party this saturday. I made it, decorated it with my dd, and stuffed it veeery full of some small toys, stickers, and a lot of candy its.. er.. kinda heavy. I'm starting to worry that I maybe made it too heavy! I poked two holes towards the top and strung some yarn through it, but the other day when I lifted it up to show someone, the yarn ripped out! I did 3 layers, but its possible that towards the top where the yarn went that I put it through a weak spot because thats near where I was leaving the hole in it. I was thinking of finding a spot that feels particularly strong (anywhere on it, not necessarily the top) and shoving a zip tie through it. Then filling it to the top with crumpled paper and then paper mache-ing over the hole at the top.. the crumpled paper would be to protect the goodies inside from getting starch dripped on them. then wherever the strong-feeling area that I put the zip tie through would become the new top. Does this sound good? hoping its not too heavy...

envyjewels

I would just use some duct tape to reinforce where you want to tie, and if you want to cover that, put a layer of mache and paint it.

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weareborgswife

Your plan could work... we glued some card board (I think part of a cereal box) to the inside edge and when it was dry made our holes with a hole punch through that.

The first year I made one though I ended up wrapping it in a rope/net contraption I made up, because it ripped out of the paper mache the first hit.

Angela

I wish I had a solution for you. I never would have thought of the weight being an issue. I think you are very brave to be having a pinata indoors! Make sure you post a picture of it before the kids get to it!! And let us know how you fixed this issue.

ETA: My oh-so-helpful 16 year old just suggested turning it into a bowl.
"Free candy! No work involved!" ...she hollered.

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Rachel

ooh.. reinforcing with duct tape is genius is its simplicity! I can put it on the inside so it doesn't show. Here it is:



dd painted it, and she did a few of the rhinestones but i did most we're probably going to break it open outside, unless the weather is REALLY gross. Then.. I guess it'll have to be in!

stufffromthebunker

Look very nice Rachel, you and dd did a fantastic job. I use to make them for my kids 100 years ago LOL. I did it because my mom always had them for us when we were growing up but she bought ours. I am thinking I put 6 or 7 layers then covered it with crape (that doesn't look right but you know what I mean!) paper.
I think I would use something stronger than yard to hold it.
The kids are going to have so much fun, just make sure noone gets hit in the head. I remember on one of those America's funniest videos shows there was an adult that got hit when the kids were trying to break the pinata, looked real painful.

Great job!,
Deborah

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Jrits

I always have issues with pinatas not opening and we basically have to rip it open for the kids.

Rachel

Yep.. thats why I'm making one instead of buying one! The cardboard crap from the stores don't open. My brother and my niece made one for my niece's bday and it was PERFECT! Withstood beating by several kids before breaking so most kids got a turn, and then broke open with a very satisfying crack So I made mine exactly the same way they made theirs, because their results rocked! I used liquid starch from the laundry aisle instead of mixing flour and water like tutorials say (because thats what my bro used) and did 3 layers.

PennyPinchingPixie

That is so awesome Rachel, making a pinata with your dd for her bday! Brings back memories of when I did paper mache projects as a kid! You'll have to let us know how to fares at the party!

weareborgswife

If you do end up doing it indoors and you used hard candies (like lollipops, and disk shaped ones, life savers etc.) might I suggest using a sheet or plastic on the floor?

It's not any fun to clean up shattered candies from your carpet