What's new at Throg's Neck Library? Here at the Library by the bridge we try to keep ourselves involved with the community by coming up with program ideas to keep the public engaged. Knowing my co-worker and friend, Mrs. Akua Hamilton-Grant, loves doing craft and book display projects for the library I asked her, "Akua, why don't you do a craft program every so often with the children and teens?" And from that question we developed the "Do It Yourself" projects here. 

The first of many D.I.Y. projects she led were on September 19 and 25, and involved making a papier mâché elephant. Where did the idea come from? She was surfing the Internet and was inspired by a video that showed her how to make a Papier Mâché elephant from scratch and modified the tutorial from YouTube to her liking. 

If you weren't able to attend, you did miss out on a fun time. But don't worry, if you do want to do the project for yourself or to give as a present to someone special, here is a step-by-step guide for creating your own elephant at home.

Materials  Needed

• Cardboard     
• Paint brush   
• Glue   
• Paper towel   
• Scissors   
• Newspaper  
• Acrylic paint  
• Masking tape

Step 1

• Print out Template
• Cut out template
• Use cutout to trace on cardboard

Step 2

• Place cardboard scrapes in between the cutouts
• Place the scrapes near the head, legs, and mid-section (this gives the elephant depth)

Step 3

• Use masking tape to combine your two cutouts
• Tail and trunk should be flush

Step 4

• Mix water and glue ½ and ½ to paste newspaper to the elephant 
• Place at least 3 layers of newspaper on the elephant
• If you are going to make a stand, paper mache it and let it dry so you can then attach your elephant

Step 5

• Papier mâché the ears and tusks with paper towel and attach to your elephant (once dry, continue)
• You now need to paper mache paper towels to the entire elephant (take your time… you don’t want the paper towel too wet)
• Once your elephant is dry, paint as desired!