Thrifty Flair
Decoupage technique transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary
September 8, 2010
Jennifer O’Connor
SPECIAL TO THE STAR
How did I transform a blasé mirror into a unique decorative piece?
Decoupage, naturellement.
The word comes from decouper, which means “to cut” in French, and describes the art of cutting and pasting paper. It’s a very simple and creative way to personalize any number of items in your home.
You can decoupage on lots of things, such as wooden boxes and glass vases. You can also reuse paper from plenty of sources. I keep a box in my hall closet that’s filled mostly with wrapping paper from gifts I’ve received, old magazines, and tissue paper that’s protected some newly-purchased breakable item. I also pick up interesting sheets at paper stores.
Every so often, I’ll pull a few things out of the box and play with different combinations to see if I’m inspired to look at something in a new way. Experimenting with a variety of possibilities is what I like most about decoupage. For example, if you want to include an image of the sun in an outdoor scene that you’re composing, you could find a picture in a magazine. You could also draw a circle where you want it to go and fill it in with different scraps of yellow paper. Or, you could use text. Just cut out the word “sun” and put it in your sky.
One of my favourite decoupage projects involves my grandma and Oscar Wilde. I found an old mirror at my grandma’s house (I went through a brief phase during which I was collecting them). I liked the ornate top and the distressed glass. I displayed it as a work of art.
I think I was working on some other decoupage artwork — I’ve used the technique on cards and candlesticks — when I was inspired to find papers to cover the frame of the mirror. I knew just what to use: pages from The Picture of Dorian Gray. (Amazingly, I found a copy at a thrift store the first time I went looking for it.) I figure as long as who I am in real life and the image I see within the mirror’s frame are the same, I’ll be okay.
The mirror is incredibly heavy, so I don’t want to hang it, but it’s also big enough that I can display it by propping it up against a wall.
If you would like to try decoupage, you will need:
• Something to decoupage on.
• Something to decoupage with.
• White glue (with a bit of water added to thin it), or Mod Podge.
• A paintbrush.
As you can see, this is a super-thrifty way to decorate. Unless you want to buy something specifically for your decor project, chances are you have everything you need already.
Here’s how I decoupaged the mirror frame. If you have another project in mind, there are lots of books full of specific instructions and inspiration available (check out your local library).
• Select the papers you want to use. Taken out of their original context, words and images can take on fun or subversive new meanings.
• Make sure that the surface of the object on which you’re going to decoupage on is clean and dry.
• Experiment with the placement of images before you start gluing.
• Apply glue to the back of the paper using your paintbrush. Place it where you want it and use the brush to make sure that the image is flat against the surface (some recommend using a tool called a brayer to do this).
• Continue with other images until you’ve achieved the look you desire.
• Apply a final coat of glue over the entire surface. Not only will it secure the images, but it will also give the piece a consistent finish.
• When dry, display your work in a prominent place so tout le monde can appreciate your decoupage.
Note: If you have any concerns about materials you’re going to use for this or any craft project (old furniture and other items may have been painted with lead paint, for example), please contact a professional before you begin.
You can contact Jennifer O’Connor at thriftyflair@gmail.com or follow her on Facebook.