Students were given a choice of supplies for the armature - wire, cardboard, plastic bags, newspaper. After the basic form was constructed the 8th graders covered the form with plaster craft. After applying that as a skin, they used found objects to create an interesting surface. They brainstormed quite a few ideas as possibilities for found objects. Optional: apply a base coat of acrylic paint before gluing objects.

List of possible Junk to add: Cards, game pieces, buttons, fabric patches (applied with Mod Podge), candy wrappers/gum wrappers, candy, nuts and washers, candy, fruit loops, pasta, paper clips, rubber bands, bottle caps, crackers, pennies (if a students wants to furnish), shells, seeds, beans. (Note: food items may need a protective seal to keep insects away). Check a recycling center near you for all sorts of metal gadgets (there is a good one in Columbus, Ohio)

Resources

Sculpture of Leo Sewell
Leo Sewell links (many were broken and were removed)
Article on Sewell: http://www.tfaoi.com/aa/1aa/1aa203.htm 
Interview: http://www.craftsreport.com/december02/onlineexclusive.html 
Article and images - Art from Recycled Materials: http://www.eco-artware.com/newsletter/newsletter_09_01.shtml 
Atlanta Airport art: http://www.atlanta-airport.com/sublevels/airport_info/kids/club_exhibits_03.html 
Sewell Football (no longer on line)

Paper Maché Artists Links

Karen Filippelli Abbo
http://users.adelphia.net/~antkar/index.html
Masks:
http://users.adelphia.net/~antkar/masks.htm
Look like this artist builds her own form to construct the masks. Try using a hump of newspaper - adding wads of newspapers to build up features - and aluminum foil too. Your finished masks will pop off of the aluminum foil when done. Save the paper humps to use another year - or just pitch. Jazz Hound is my favorite animal of hers:
http://users.adelphia.net/~antkar/figculpt.htm
See Jungle Painting for a very Chagall type feeling:
http://users.adelphia.net/~antkar/figurativeptgs.htm

I found her link on the following page:
http://www.painterskeys.com/links.asp
Looks like it is a good stop to find contemporary artists.
You too can subscribe to the Painter's Key twice weekly newsletter:
http://www.painterskeys.com/subscribe1.html

Ken Parker:
http://www.sculpturama.com/index.html
Check out the hands - VERY doable with kids! (think self portrait in a different way)
http://www.sculpturama.com/Pages/handsandtrophies.html
Panoramas - doable with high school and middle school:
http://www.sculpturama.com/Pages/panoramas.html
Portraits are fun:
http://www.sculpturama.com/Pages/portraits.html

Also check out paper pulp/cast paper sculptures:
C. Jagdish from India (site no longer online)
http://www.alankritha.com/Jagdish%20C.htm