Turn a flower pot into a decorative pencil pot by covering it in paper mache. Find a plain flower pot. Rip up some pages from old magazines or newspapers. Paint one side of each piece with paper mache paste and stick it to the flower pot. Do so until the pot is covered, and allow it to dry. Then take some acrylic craft paints and decorate the exterior as desired. The pot can also be left unpainted for a different look.
Paper mache masks can be used as props in a play or simply put on display as art in the home. Cut the base of the mask in the shape that you would like out of cardboard. Scrunch pieces of paper up into ball form and attach them to the cardboard using paper mache paste for a 3D mask. For a flat mask, cut paper into strips and paste them flatly to the cardboard. Apply a few layers if you are making a flat mask, for added durability and strength. Allow to dry completely. Use acrylic craft paint to decorate the mask as you choose. You can even glue on accessories such as feathers and jewels once the paint is dry. If you plan to wear the mask, punch holes in either side and loop a string through, securing it on each end. Or glue a Popsicle stick to the bottom or side and paint it to match the mask, for a mask that you can hold up to your face.
A simple box can be turned into a personalized storage area for memories and souvenirs. Take an old jewelry box, or purchase an unvarnished wooden box from a craft store. Collect photos of friends, family, or interests that can be used -- ideally printing them from a computer or cutting them out of a magazine. Use the paper mache paste to secure the photos to the box. Be creative about the placement of images, scattering them as you see fit. Use a brush to lightly coat the pasted images with a layer of white glue. This will act protect them and act as a sealant.
Create a balloon that can be on display forever, never deflating. Blow up a balloon and tie it tightly. Coat strips of newspaper with paper mache paste, and drape them over the top of the balloon. Cover the whole balloon, only excluding the tie at the bottom. Wait for that layer to dry, and apply another. Continue until you have applied six layers, and each layer has fully dried. Then take a pin and pop the balloon from the bottom tie. Paint with acrylic craft paint, and secure a ribbon to the inside with tape, leaving it hanging as it would with a real balloon.