Did you enjoy creating collages when you were in school? Then try
decoupage, the grown up version. Decoupage involves decorating items such as boxes, furniture and other wooden objects with paper materials and special paint effects. The item is then treated so that the end result is a painted appearance.
You can use household objects or specialty craft items for decoupage. Around the house, you can find magazine and newspaper clippings, photographs, wrapping paper, printed clip-art, old greeting cards and postcards, fabric, tissue paper and lace. You can purchase artistic prints, paper cut outs, rice paper and scrapbooking paper at any craft store.
Begin by cleaning the object you are planning to decoupage with a sponge dipped in warm soapy water. Allow the object to dry completely before you begin. Paint if necessary.
Next, arrange your bits of paper over the item. You will probably need to shuffle them around a few times to get it looking right. The desired look is entirely up to you, but
collage and
patterns are popular decoupage themes. Once you've got the look, use a standard craft glue to glue the pieces of paper onto your item.
When the glue has dried, paint the entire item with a varnish. You could also use clear glue if you do not have varnish. When the varnish has dried, sand the item with a piece of fine sandpaper. If the decoupage still looks 'stuck on', repeat the varnishing and sanding process until it resembles paint. You can now add any other
effects such as
gold leaf or sponging.
Give your household items a cheap and easy revamp with the art of decoupage.
