The invention pertains to a mixture of materials such as ground newspaper, starch preservative and plaster of paris, or the like, having different particle sizes and densities which are uniformly dispersed through a dry mixture. The mixture of materials is adapted with the addition of water to form a soft, clay-like substance that may be formed or molded by hand or machine into any desired shape, and which, upon drying, will harden into a strong, tough material that may be further operated on or directly utilized in molded form. The invention is particularly directed to the maintenance of an even dispersion of dry materials throughout the mixture maintained in a solid, brick-like form prior to the addition of water, so as to facilitate storage and shipping of the material without settling or separation of the constituents thereof. Knowledge of papier-maché manufacture can aid in its conservation.