How do you learn how to decoupage?

7 comments

1. 

   admin on August 21, 2009 at 6:26 pm

   Yes, to add to the other answers which are both really good but you can use a "gel medium" or a watered down Elmer's glue if you are just trying your hand at it for the first time. There really isn't a wrong way….just do what you like but don't let your work get too wet or it will curl on you. License free clip art books are good for getting images.
   If you want to get fancy, you can cut out the same image 3 times and layer it with that one glue that smells like vinegar and make it 3D.

   http://www.diynetwork.com is good for ideas and http://www.craftychica.com is good too !!!!

   Good luck but more then anything, just have fun…..cause it really is !!!!

   PS You may want to look into ATC ( artist trading cards ) do a google search and you can see a lot of ideas that combine collage, rubber stamping and all sorts of mediums !?!

2. 

   admin on August 21, 2009 at 6:26 pm

   You need very little. Just decoupage glue, paper, scissors, fine sandpaper and objects to decoupage. Modge Podge or decoupage glue can be found in your local craft store. They should also have simple idea books.

   I like to buy those books with Victorian images you can cut out. I buy cardboard or wood boxes at Michaels's, paint the surface, let it dry, apply decoupage glue to the backs of the images, apply them to the surfaces and then apply several coats of decoupage glue over, sanding between layers to keep a smooth surface. I don't sand last coat.

3. 

   admin on August 21, 2009 at 6:26 pm

   Well, I collect stamps & sometimes they are damaged ones, so I use these for decoupage, it looks great, I made a music box for my DD 8 she loves it.
4. 

   admin on August 21, 2009 at 6:26 pm

   Good answers. I would just add that for larger pictures, I use a squeegee to get the air bubbles out. My squeegee is actually a credit card someone sent me in junk mail. I use it only when the picture is first glued to the box or container.
5. 

   admin on August 21, 2009 at 6:26 pm

   Have you got a Michaels Art store near you? They have great classes on this kinda stuff!
6. 

   admin on August 21, 2009 at 6:26 pm

   something to decopage on, like wooden boxes, trays, tables, chair backs etc, good pictures to cut out, and a bottle of mod podge decopage glue, and a foam brush. simply prepare your wooden item, sand, paint if you wish a painted background. then cut out very carefully with small pointed sissors the paper designs, put a layer of modpodge on the wooden item, then lay the paper designs on it, press down and let dry, then coat over the paper design, 4 to six layers of modpodge letting it dry between coats , if you want a super smooth surface you should go over each dry coat gently with steel wool, then brush it off very well before the next coat. you can use designs from greeting cards, callendars, and even good quality wrapping paper, and the scrapbook papers, when it was all the rage back in the late 60s early 70s they sold prints specifically for this treatment with a good quality paper and kid finished surface.
7. 

   admin on August 21, 2009 at 6:26 pm

   The only thing that I would add to what Autumn has already said it that you can use many kinds of paper to decopauge. I like to use gift wraps, or tissue paper, or photos from magazines. Cut your designs out carefully, and be sure to let each layer dry completely.