Decoupage is an old craft that involves gluing paper images to an object, then adding coats of sealer until the paper image looks as though it were painted onto the surface.
Twenty years ago, decoupage required mixing and pouring a smelly, two-part resin mixture that took days to dry and was nearly impossible to clean up if spilled. Today, crafters can use water-based varnish that is thin so it's easy to work with, plus it can be cleaned up easily. These new varnishes are applied in layers, but they build up to a beautiful, clear and smooth texture.
The fun part of the decoupage project is selecting the paper image. We found some wonderful artwork in an old wallpaper sample book. We recommend making color laser copies of your artwork and using the copies instead of your original. That way, if you make a mistake cutting out the image, you'll have a spare piece. Most office supply stores will make copies for about 50 cents apiece.
DECOUPAGE PICTURE FRAME
Time: 2 hours of active time, several days of drying time
Cost: $10
Skill level: Intermediate
Materials
Unfinished wood picture frame
Water-based craft paint
2 paintbrushes
White craft glue
Scissors
Laser copy of the artwork you wish to use
Sponge
Gold leaf pen, optional
Clear polyurethane, varnish or lacquer
400-grit sandpaper
Instructions
1. Have color laser copies made of the image you want to glue to the picture frame.
2. If necessary, lightly sand the picture frame to remove rough edges. Paint the frame with craft paint and allow it to dry completely.
3. Cut out the paper designs you are using and practice where you want to place them on the picture frame.
4. Apply a generous layer of thick glue in the area where you want to glue your paper pieces. Use far more glue than you think you will need and use. Use your fingers to smear it around and completely cover the area that will be covered with paper cutouts. Don't worry about excess glue -- it will dry clear and won't show when the frame is finished.
5. Fill a flat container with water. Place one of your paper cutouts in the water and allow it to float until the edges are no longer curled. Gently lift the paper out of the water and place it on the wet glue. Use your fingers to push the paper into place and smooth out any air bubbles. Repeat the glue and water steps until you have attached all of the paper cutouts to the frame. (If you plan to use several layers of paper, allow the glue to dry between layers.) Use a damp sponge to blot off any big puddles of glue. Allow the paper and glue to dry completely.
6. At this point you can use the gold leaf pen to outline the paper cutouts or to create an edge on the frame. We used it to create a gold border around the opening for the picture.
7. Brush a thin layer of polyurethane over the entire frame. Allow it to dry; then add another coat of polyurethane. When the second coat has dried, lightly sand the surface with 400-grit sandpaper if necessary. Continue adding coats of polyurethane until the surface of the frame is smooth and you can no longer see the edges of the paper. Most projects take about four layers of polyurethane, but you can use more if necessary.
(Reach Gwen Schoen at gschoen(at)sacbee.com. For more stories visit scrippsnews.com.)
Must credit Sacramento BeeWith decoupage-box
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