Decoupage delights
Decoupage is a very special kind of cut-and- paste decoration. You can
put this kind of decoration on cardboard, papier-mache, wood, metal,
glass, clay, or stone.
To start, cut out pictures from old magazines. Choose different kinds
of pictures, or pictures about the same thing. For example, if you are
making a decoupage for someone who likes baseball, you might use just
baseball pictures.
Arrange the pictures in a pattern you like, and then glue them to the
object. When the glue is dry brush on a coat of varnish When the varnish
is dry, lightly sand the object with sandpaper Then brush off the dust
and varnish again. Keep sanding and applying coats of varnish until the
object is as shiny as you want it. Finally, wax it with furniture
polish.
Decoupage boxes can be used to hold stationery, jewelry, cards, or
trinkets. These handsome boxes are made from cigar boxes lined with
felt.
Open the box and glue pictures on all six sides. If you’re using a
wooden box with hinges, don’t cover the hinges. When the glue is dry,
open the box and varnish it. Then glue felt to the inside of the box. If
you want, you can glue a felt loop to the top.
Decoupage key rings are popular gifts for moms and dads as well as
for boys and girls.
Use a coping saw to cut out any shape you choose from j-inch plywood
(see sawing, page 202). Drill a small hole about \ inch (18 mm)
from the edge of the shape (see drilling, page 201). Sand the edges
and both sides of the shape (see sanding, page 203). If you want,
stain the shape with wood stain. Glue a small picture to the shape and
varnish it. Slip a key chain through the hole. Or, make a necklace by
putting a leather shoelace through the hole.
