Arts & Crafts

Decoupage--Easy, Economical and Elegant

In the most simple of terms, decoupage is nothing more than cutting and pasting. The results can be simple or elegant, transforming common objects into collectable art items. Decoupage became the rage of Europe during the 18th and 19th centuries. Many archival items first thought to be hand painted have since proven to be decoupage by skilled artisans. Originally, it was considered "poor man’s art" because those who couldn’t afford to pay a skilled craftsman or artist to decorate their furniture could achieve striking results by using cutouts pasted on and covered with several coats of varnish or lacquer.

There are actually three ways to achieve decoupage results, and each has a special name. Decoupage is the arrangement of cutouts or paste-ons used to create decoration on various surfaces (wood, glass, metal, etc.) and objects. Montage is the mounting of materials that may or may not be cutouts--such as photographs, postcards, drawings and travel folders--to create a picture. With collage, many different items may be combined to create a textural and visually interesting arrangement, usually with some dimension and often encased within a shadowbox. Since the variances are slight, decoupage is often used to designate any or all of the three methods.

Tools needed to create the images used in decoupage projects include a pair of sharp, pointed scissors. Often the curved tips of nail scissors, along with their sharpness, are selected for intricate work. Good light and good vision are also needed to precisely cut the shapes without distortion or loss of shape and detail. The paper items used for the actual designs can come for many different sources: antique shops, resale shops, thrift and bargain shops, auctions, bookstores and art supply centers, gift shops, grocery stores, old wallpaper, foils and candy wrappers, catalogs, magazines, etc. Your collection can begin with any newspaper or magazine lying around the house. A quick flip through the pages could yield some interesting design elements to file away for future projects.

Topical elements such as buttons, sequins, shells, feathers, fans, beads and more add textural interest and personality to arrangements that will be displayed in shadowboxes. Twigs, leaves and other natural items are often important additions to the equation, too.

When doing the actual cutting of the designs from magazines, papers, cards, etc., the scissors should be tilted somewhat towards the right to obtain a slightly beveled edge. This allows the item to lie flatter and avoids a sharp ridge where the design stops and the background starts. The flatter you can get your decoupage images, the more realistic and "painted" they will look. Scissors, razor blades or stencil knives, all sharp cutting tools, should be held at a slanted angle as you cut.

Pasting is important because the even application of an adhesive will insure the item will lie flat, without bubbles or puckers. Ideally, the cutout would be placed on a sheet of clean paper and the adhesive lightly brushed over the entire surface. Every point, tip and edge should be covered so that it will lie down perfectly. Tip: Use an old phone book for your protective paper. Once you apply adhesive to a cutout, simply turn the page to reveal a new, clean sheet.

The glue you use can be one of many. Established decoupage artists often use wallpaper paste because it is great for large-scale work, is made of natural wheat starch and is inexpensive. It does not, however, last indefinitely. Modern water-soluble pastes and liquid glues are great because they will not spoil, afford easy cleanup and are readily available.

It is suggested that you also have a damp cloth to remove excess adhesive and to keep the item clean and ready for the next cutout. Soft rags are perfect for this application and do not grab or tear the image you are attaching.

Topical surfacing can be one of several choices. What determines the coating is the final use of the item. Paper art that will be framed or items such as greeting cards do not need a topical coating because they will not be put to heavy use. Service items such as trays or decorative boxes should be covered to protect the surface from abrasion. Varnish is a good choice for wooden or metal items and can be converted into a matte finish by rubbing with dampened emery cloth. White glue is also a cover coat and can be used either full strength or slightly diluted. It yields a glossy surface that is, however, susceptible to damage by moisture. There are special decoupage surfacing agents sold through many craft and art supply dealers, and they offer a wide range of application possibilities.

One warning: Decoupage is very habit forming and the designs you create can be applied to everything in the home from furniture to picture frames, vases to clock faces...the list is endless. A theme throughout the home can easily be created with cutouts of a similar style. So grab your scissors and glue and have some fun!