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Nice to have for Decoupage, but not always necessary
Author: Karen Le Blanc
Some tools
are essential for decoupage, such as scissors, glue, varnish, cotton swabs, damp
rag and various images of all kind of sources. Its also a good idea to have
tweezers, craft knife, cutting mat, paint brushes, craft roller, piece of
sponge, metal ruler, colored pencils, water soluble pen and decoupage medium.
However, there are a number of other items which are nice to have for decoupage
but not always necessary:
Paints
Water-based paints are the best to use, including acrylics. If
the paint says it says it can be diluted or cleaned in water, then it's water
based. Acrylic paints come in various sizes and a large range of colors. Most
good craft shops have small bottles, which are ideal if you have a smaller
object to paint. It's best to use foam applicators to apply paints as it lays a
smoother layer than a brush, which leaves small grooves. For a larger project,
you'll need a paintbrush or foam roller.
Felt and Cork
These are useful for finishing off a project and giving it a professional look.
Glue either cork or felt to the base. This also prevents scratches on the
surface where you display your item. You can use self-adhesive cork or you can
simply use craft glue to glue the felt or cork down. When dry cut carefully
along the edges. With cork, use a very fine sandpaper to smooth the edges.
Sandpaper
Sandpaper comes in various grades but usually a 300-grit and 400-grit sandpaper
should be fine. You night need a coarser grade if you are preparing old painted
or varnished wood.
Sponge Applicators
These come in various sizes and are ideal since they don't leave stroke marks.
The best ones to use are firm, high-density foam since they last longer. Never
use them with paint or varnish that needs to be cleaned with turpentine as this
ruins them. Using a foam roller when painting a larger surface gives a slightly
textured finish.
Porcelain Medium
Porcelain or ceramic medium can be used as a sealant, glue, and finishing coat.
It's a thermo-setting, water-based product cured in the oven. This is the ideal
for decorating glazed ceramics, pottery, glass, tiles, tin, or enamel. It forms
a hard scratch and heat resistant film. It's expensive, but a little goes a long
way. Surfaces need to be dust and grease free. Brushes can be cleaned in soap
and water.
Christmas wreaths are an old Christmas tradition that is used to decorate the
outside of the house, typically on the front door, to give Christmas time
visitors a festive greeting.
To make a Christmas wreath you will need a
wreath ring, florist wire (you can get these cheaply from
our local florist) and some vegetation.
Take a walk around your local park, your
garden or in the countryside. Take a bag and some scissors
with you and collect interesting vegetation to make a
Christmas wreath. Under no circumstances should you pick
plants from other people's gardens unless you have their
permission to do so.
Collect evergreens, ivy and loral leave
are good. Some leaves are a silvery grey; these add a frosty
feeling to the wreath. Conifers are popular in people's
gardens. Do you have a conifer in your garden? Conifers
don't have overly interesting foliage but they make a great
base to the wreath.
Also look out for holly or other shrubs
that bear berries. Berries add colour to the wreath. Look
out for dried seedpods such as poppies, teasels and
pinecones. Seedpods can be spray painted silver or gold and
used to add interest to the wreath. If you do intend to use
spray paint any pieces do this well in advance of the day
you intend to make the wreath to give the paint enough time
to dry. When using spray paint always closely follow the
direction of use printed on the back of the tin.
Fabric or Textile Medium
Fabric or textile Medium is used as a sealant, glue, and finishing coat. It's
water-based and can be used on cotton and cotton mix fabrics. The fabric needs
to be washed first to remove sizing. Once applied, it must be dried for a few
hours and then heat-sealed by ironing.
Candle Medium
Candle medium is used as a sealant, glue, and finishing coat and is a
water-based product. It can be mixed with equal parts of paint to paint the
candle before decorating. It tends to be sticky and may need a layer of
water-based varnish over it.
Outdoor Medium
Outdoor medium is used as a sealant, glue, and finishing coat. It's used for
metal, plastic, terracotta tiles, stone, wood, soap, pottery, glass, hardboard,
wall, galvanized metal, and candles. It is slightly waterproof and waxy
properties and unsuitable for fabrics.
Gesso
Gesso is used to create a perfectly smooth and blemish-free surface. There are
also colored gessoes available. You can apply gesso to wood, bisque, and eggs. A
smooth surface may need four to six coats. Lightly dry sand each coat and wipe
off dust with a damp sponge. After the last coat, wet sand with superfine
sandpaper. The gesso will be gooey but when it dries, the surface is smooth. You
can mix paint with the gesso to make your own colored gesso. Gesso makes a
difference on wooden boxes with rough routed edges and means that they require
fewer coats of varnish. Usually, you need only wipe the gesso on with a piece of
cloth and wipe off. This leaves a thin layer.
You can make your own gesso by mixing equal parts of PVA glue and whiting.
Whiting can be found at paint stores and sporting supply stores. It's used for
marking lines on athletic fields.
Crackle
There are two different types of crackle medium – one is applied between coats
of paint and one on top of the finished work. The size and shape of the crackles
depends on the sponge you use. The larger the holes in the sponge, the larger
the crackles. Sponge on your topcoat thickly and quickly, rotating the sponge as
you go. Don't go back over areas you have covered. Crackling will begin
immediately, so you can't go back without destroying out the crackles.
When planning your crackling, decide which color is to be the top color and
which is to be the crackle. Using contrasting colors gives a more pleasing
result. For example, for a red box with white crackles, paint the white first,
then crackle medium, then red paint. Leave it to dry for forty-five minutes
after applying.
Karen's website has a Step by Step guide on Decoupage. Please visit the site for
info on
decoupage
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