Decoupage Anyone? (dial-up PIC heavy)

[Whoa_Nelly]

have been doing decoupage for years, and have actually sold a few items.

Am currently working on a cabinet. I have a 6-8 step process (process depends upon the finished look I want to accomplish)

Here are a few items I've done in the past.


Note: It's difficult to show the aged crackle finish in the below pics because of the sealant reflection.


This was an old WWII field telephone box




This was a '50s magazine holder turned into sheet/book music storage




A silly and plain clock decoupaged with old onion skin letters and stamps

[eleny]

1. These are so nice

Your work looks very neat and sturdy, too. The applied materials look like they're on there to stay. I especially like your torn edges for the telephone box.

This is another new craft here in the group!

[Whoa_Nelly]

2. Thanks, eleny!

The box and the music storage have already survived three moves and two grandchildren...I made them for my son and DIL several years back...and still look just as they do in the photos here. I use an oil based stain after crackling, and then several layers of acrylic sealant applied lightly for each coat to be able to retain the crackle appearance.

Would love to hear from others who decoupage! Am sure everyone has their own tricks and techniques! :hi:

[eleny]

3. I hope others post, too

It's something I'd like to try. That and papier mache. I found a very good book at the library on p/mache the other day. Maybe this summer when things slow down around our place.

[eridani]

4. Those look like they'll last awhile

What do you use for sealant?

[Whoa_Nelly]

5. Acrylic spray sealant

Have to make sure it's done in a shady area outside, little to no wind day, sprayed evenly from about 10-12 inches from surface. It dries quickly, and I usually give small items, such as those pictured in OP, 2-4 coats (each surface one time, then respray surfaces in same sequence until sealed.) For larger items, such as the cabinet am working on, once decoupaged, crackled and stained, gets 4-8 coats, especially the top surface as that area gets the most use.


Current project:
Inset areas of cabinet and its doors will be decoupaged, as well as the drawer front. Top is gold; haven't decided on color for interior of cabinet yet. Other paint is a dual combo of colors.

What I started with:



In Progress:
(a base coat of acrylic color so as decoupage pieces are applied, there is color underneath for any bare spot that may show through, as well as color that "shines through" any of the paper)

The cabinet
Looks a bit bright here, but it's actually a little bit darker. Once crackled and age darkened, it wil have a very rich look.




The base color of the doors and drawer
Outside framing and backside of doors are getting gold paint.

[eridani]

6. Do you do any sanding at all?

Your surfaces look so smooth!

[Whoa_Nelly]

7. Depends on the original piece am working with

At the least, will usually give the surfaces a fine grit light sanding, and at the most, will sand with medium to get the base surface roughed up some, then usually follow with fine grit prior to base painting. I use acrylic craft paints for the base coats.

I think the smooth look comes from the follow up finger and warm water I use once the paper pieces are applied. I work out any wrinkles and bubbles. It has to be done right after applying the paper, has to be done lightly, quickly, and then followed up with a damp brush watered down decoupage glue. Once the whole piece is done, a coating of watered down decoupage glue is used to provide a base for the crackle. I just make my own decoupage glue with white glue and water, and make it as thin or thick as I need for whichever part am doing.