CRAFT PROFILE: Decoupage

In the next installment of UK Handmade's craft profile series Verity Warne of Made by Loulabelle takes a look at decoupage...

I don’t think I’m going out on a limb by suggesting that at some point most of us have turned a hand to decoupage. Though at the time we may have thought we were just decorating our school folders, we were actually joining the likes of Marie Antoinette, Lord Byron, Matisse and Picasso.

History
Traced back to its earliest beginnings decoupage originated with paper cut outs which the 12th century Chinese used to decorate windows, lanterns, and boxes. However, the craft as we know it today emerged in the late 17th century. Paper cut-outs pasted to surfaces and covered with many layers of lacquer offered a less expensive alternative to the hand-painted, lacquered furniture from the Far East which was fashionable among the wealthy of Europe.

During the 18th and 19th century the art form flourished and became a popular pastime for leisured ladies of an artistic persuasion. During the Victorian era, skilled handcolouring and cutting gave way to the more sentimental collage style which is often still associated with the craft. But decoupage is not just about roses on tea trays – or even rock stars on exercise books. Many of today’s decoupage artists have a very contemporary style, often using found objects as both inspiration and source material.

The Experts
The Bombus design studio produces beautiful bespoke furniture using discarded ephemera – particularly maps – to create “something from nothing”. Nova & Lorsten merge eco-friendly ethics with quirky humour to create statement coffee tables – Mills and Boon book covers, Blue Note Jazz and psychobilly rock albums all feature in their work.

Decoupage can also be used to great effect for smaller pieces, including jewellery. TalithaAstrellita’s joyful link bracelets and bangles are a great example: ‘I love the bright splashes of colour that each individual stamp brings to my jewellery. An accidental stamp scatter was instant inspiration to start decoupaging using every colour of the rainbow!’

Vintage Postage Stamp Bangle - Desert at Dusk by TalithaAstrellita

British Postage Stamp Bracelet - Desert at Dusk by TalithaAstrellita

The charm of decoupage lies not just in the endless scope for source artwork, but also in the opportunity to reimagine and upcycle a seemingly ordinary object into something new. Kellie from It’s the Little Things explains how she developed the concept for her charming domino brooches: ‘My first introduction to decoupage began as a child making collages and experimenting with papier mache. This developed further when I was studying at art college and creating moodboards and illustrations for my Fashion Degree. Last year I wanted to produce a range of brooches featuring vintage images and I toyed with collaging on various surfaces, until I came across an old set of dominos. The dominos were a perfect size and the smooth surface was ideal to decoupage on to.’

Retro Robot Domino Brooch by it's the little things...

Vintage Owl Domino Brooch by it's the little things...

Kate Brunt demonstrates a streamlined approach to decoupage with her beautiful bird houses. While less collage and ephemera based, her work showcases an eye for contrasting pattern and tonal colour.

Decorative Birdhouses by Kate Brunt

Methods
The basic process of decoupage is extremely simple: cut out an image, stick to your chosen surface with pva glue, then, once dry, finish by coating with layers of varnish, or more pva glue. But although the method may be simple, there are many and varied possibilities: from the choice of the materials you use image - wrapping paper, magazines, wallpaper samples or even fabric - to the object you decoupage - furniture, homeware, jewellery, notebooks - to the application - covering whole or parts of items, adding a single cutout shape, such as a flower or a bird, or creating a detailed collage.

Tools and Materials
A simple decoupage project requires little - or no – specialist equipment. Basic materials needed are:

• Paper ( Wallpaper, wrapping paper or other decorative paper
• Strong, waterproof PVA glue
• Paintbrush
• Scissors or craft knife

Other materials that may be required for a more complicated project include:

• Ruler and/or set square
• Fine-grain sandpaper (for preparing furniture surfaces)
• Varnish for use on wallpaper and paint (for a more hardwearing finish)

For a quick introduction to the basic method, check out

this tutorial

from The Guardian.

Featured Designers
Bombus
Nova & Lorsten
TalithaAstrellita
Kate Brunt
It’s the Little Things