Decoupage, a simple lesson
Recently I have been revisiting the craft of decoupage, the art of cutting, layering and lacquering small item and often furniture. I have done quite a bit of this in past, normally items such as stools or chairs, but in this instance it was terracotta pots and saucers.
So thought it could be great to give a few simple instructions here .
Firstly your pots will need a light sand and dust to make sure they are smooth and clean. After which they will need 2 coats of undercoat, I used Gesso as I was using acrylic art paints. For a out door pot, then use house paint and undercoat, just make sure it is water based.
Gesso is available at any store that sells art and craft supplies. It creates a barrier that stops impurity's from leaching into the surface of your art work.
Once this is completed and dry, time to paint on the colour, ideally you would choose colours to complement the pictures you have chosen, I have used decoupage paper, gift wrap papers, cards, calendars and even photocopies with success.
Again 2 coats of paint, it doesn't have to be any expensive paint, just needs to be water based, so using up the kids left over tubes is fine.
While it is drying, cut out the pictures you have chosen, try to bet them as close to pictures as possible, with out the background showing, A small pair of scissors
is best at this point.
I have cut out designs here for 2 pots.
Once paint is dry, then gluing on to pot is next step.
Normally one would work arrangement out by laying down on item, which would have a flat surface. As we do not have that with a pot, then use some paper to make a template of your pot drawn and cut to size, and use that. Alternatively you can just wing it.
White craft glue, is best for gluing on, or PVA, simply apply to back of cut out and position into place, work from middle and gently press down with fingers, ensuring it is smooth with no air bubbles. Fortunately white glue is slow drying so easy to gently peel back cut out and reposition if need be.
Once done and your happy with result I give entire item a even coat of the glue to ensure any finer cut outs are smoothly in place. Leae to dry, you will know as it will be quite clear again.
Many people like to use Modge Podge for the next part, in fact it can be used as the glue, however I have noticed the items I have varnished have lasted a lot longer, In fact one sideboard piece I did 25 years ago is still as fresh looking as day I did it, I also used black and white photocopies of my ink drawings, these ave not yellowed at all. Modge podge as with white glue will also go cloudy once wet although dry clear it could over time spoil the design on a pot.
So simply using a water based varnish and a good quality brush start varnishing the first of many coats Allow to dry. A light sanding and dust between each one, enough to scratch surface allowing next coat to adhere to last. Try brushing in different directions for each coat, it helps with smoother finish. Generally I do about 20 coats to achieve the heavy lacquered look, but 10 is perfectly acceptable with a pot.
For a touch of fairy magic I threw a bit of glitter at last coast of varnish while still wet.
And that is all there is to it. Happy potting.
