unique goat head

... the "vegan" alternative to antlers ;-)

Where I live, it is or was common in some households, especially in the past, to hang stuffed animal heads or antlers on the walls or above doors - a decoration of questionable taste in my opinion. Stuffed animal heads make me feel a bit sad, but some people like them. A bit out of boredom, a bit to do something together with my partner, a bit as a provocation of tradition, we thought that we too would like an animal head in our home - but a vegan one. Of course, it's ironic to call it vegan, given that you don't eat it, but no animal had to suffer or pass away for this wall decoration. Today's post is about our papier-mâché goat head. Strictly speaking, it's not made entirely of papier-mâché, just the outer layer.

This goat's head has already traveled a long way and moved several times. The beginnings were in Rome - initially a somewhat stubborn "frame" made of chicken wire as the basic structure. Then gradually more and more layers of papier-mâché were added and the head took on more and more shape. The ears are made of cardboard, the horns of wire and cardboard. Finally, the last layer is made of newspaper cuttings (intentionally only cuttings with small-format writing without pictures - this makes it look more uniform and less restless). Spraying with clear varnish has proved its worth, keeping the dust layer within wipeable limits. The goat was always allowed to come with us when we moved house and still watches over our front door.

To make a goat's head like this, you will need

• Wire

• chicken wire

• newspapers

• glue

• cardboard

• clear varnish

The goat is a decorative object to which I feel very attached and to which I am very attached. It's a decorative element that puts me in a good mood every time I look at it, as the goat reminds me of the wonderful hours of laughter during which we brought it to life.

Which animal would you make? Would you hang an animal head on the wall in your home? Would you prefer a real one or one like "my goat"? And would you prefer it with newspaper clippings or perhaps in color? Which color would you choose? I look forward to reading some of your answers to these questions. What do you think? I hope to have given you a little inspiration this time too to create something with your hands, alone or together with the people you love. I like the idea that maybe you too will create a papier-mâché animal head for yourself or for someone you love. It will be an object that will keep you company for years if you treat it well and will certainly require considerably less attention than a real pet and evoke fewer skeptical associations than the head of a real animal. Hugs and see you soon!

Ps. The goat doesn't always wear the straw star - only at Christmas time ;-)