Decoupage - first acquaintance

Handicrafts are becoming more and more popular every year. People are trying to spice up their lives by adding a little color to their home. Unique handmade products are appreciated all over the world. Tired of everyone's mass production, masterpieces are gradually replacing them handicrafts. Today we will talk about decoupage - an art that amazes with its diversity and beauty.

What is decoupage

Decoupage is an art that is based on decorating various objects, such as furniture, interior elements, kitchen utensils, etc. For this purpose, special paper drawings, various laces, and photographs are used, which craftsmen glue to the object and fix with special means. This type of art attracts more and more creative people, as it captivates from the first minutes.  

For example, in the modern education system, the main goal of which is the all-round development of children, it is increasingly recommended to include handicraft lessons in the program. Decoupage allows you to develop motor skills, imaginative thinking, creativity, a positive attitude towards life, and teaches you to see the beauty around you. In addition, children are given a chance to show themselves and thereby increase their self-esteem.

Adults also liked this type of needlework. Many needlewomen, making unique crafts, have a decent addition to their official salary. That is, decoupage can be not only a hobby, but also a way to earn money.

Where to start learning decoupage

Those who have ever seen work using the decoupage technique will certainly think about the process of creating such exquisite products. At first glance, it seems that doing something like this on your own is quite difficult. But one can argue with this. Let's talk in more detail about how to achieve excellent results in this type of needlework.

Where to start? Of course, from studying decoupage techniques, its types and the main stages of production.

There are 5 types of decoupage. These include:

• reverse;
• direct;
• art;
• deco patch;
• volumetric decoupage.

Experienced craftsmen are proficient in the following techniques and techniques that help create various effects on the product:

• craquelure;
• patination;
• lace effect;
• marbling;
• worn effect;
• shading;
• toning;
• gold leaf

Now that you've become familiar with the theory, it's time to start practicing.

What is needed for decoupage

Before you start creating a masterpiece, you need to prepare all the tools. What exactly?

• The basis. This could be a book, a flower pot, any piece of wood, furniture, candles, a bottle, a kitchen board, etc. The main thing is that the base is not too dark, otherwise the applied pattern will change color and may look ugly.

• Paper motif. Most often, paper napkins with beautiful designs and special paper for this type of needlework are used. If these are not available, you can make do with newspaper clippings, gift wrapping paper and other scrap materials. It is important that the drawings are applied to thin paper and do not spread when applying glue.
• Scissors. If you have the opportunity and desire to engage in this type of art in the future, it is better to purchase special scissors; if not, you can get by with ordinary sharp scissors.
• Brushes, 1-2 cm in size. They are suitable for applying both varnish and paint.
• Glue. Professionals use special professional glue, but for a beginner, regular PVA diluted in half with water will be enough.
• Varnish. Here it is worth thinking about what effect you want to achieve. For example, to make a product shine, it is recommended to cover it with glossy varnish; for an aging effect, use matte varnish. In the case where the basis is furniture, experienced craftsmen recommend taking care of the correct coating in advance, since only moisture-resistant varnish can ensure the safety of the design for many years.

As you can see, the list of the main tools that will be needed to create a unique product using the decoupage technique is not that long. Of course, it can be constantly supplemented. For example, various rhinestones, decorative elements, acrylic paints for painting and complementing the applied composition, primer, thermal tape, and brushes of various sizes are often used. But the above list includes all the basic elements that will allow a beginner to make his first product.

Ideas for decoupage

Decoupage is an art direction in which it is very difficult to create two identical products. Whatever one may say, handmade work is unique in that even repetitions by one master can differ significantly from each other.

A large assortment of designs and bases allows you to create masterpieces even on things that are familiar to everyone. Moreover, you can implement design ideas by making several elements in the same style. For example, these could be kitchen utensils that will make the room unique.

The most popular bases for decoupage are boxes.

The second most popular item is occupied by bottles of alcoholic beverages. Such original gifts will be appreciated by everyone.

More complex are the works associated with the compilation of large compositions. Thanks to decoupage, you can give a second life to old furniture.

Even batteries decorated with a composition using this technique look stylish and original.

As you can see, everything ingenious is simple. You just need to find all the tools and give yourself the opportunity to plunge into childhood, show imagination and a little perseverance.