10 Top Tips to Decoupage

  

Decoupage tired and musty old furniture.

It looks easy but there is a certain amount of skill, patience and most importantly a creative flair in doing this old Victorian art.


It is all about layering and pasting pieces of paper to make an attractive piece but things can take a turn such as air bubbles, tears and wrinkles.


10 Top Tips:


1. Clean and dry the surface of item not forgetting to give it a little light sanding to help the   application stick.


2. Arrange pieces before applying paste to form a pleasing creation.


3. Have two bowls ready 1) Full strength PVA and 2) Diluted PVA with water mixed into form a 'meringue consistency' - this is the modge-podge for finishing!


4. Use PVA glue in full strength to apply the paper to the surface of the item.  You can get this cheaply from the pound store. If you plan to paint the item then do this first all over!!!


5. Some people apply the glue to the item but I prefer to apply it to the paper cut out and then fix it to the surface lightly so that I can whisk it off if need be and reapply.


6. Use a cloth or decorators tool to smooth over the surface and stop air bubbles but be careful to keep pressure firm but light to avoid wrinkles while the paper is moist.  Best start from the centre of the cut out and wide out!

7. As you layer each cut out use the diluted PVA from bowl no 2 to brush over the cut outs.


8. As you build your picture keep checking for small drips especially around the edges of the table or chair you are working on.  As these drip they dry and form unsightly lumps and bumps which are hard to get rid of when the work is dry.


9. Enjoy creating and relax enough to allow your ideas or vision to materialise in front of you.


10.  Once the item has been finished you must brush layers of the diluted PVA allowing each layer to dry first.  This gives a durable finish and you can then decide to varnish using satin clear varnish for a nice matt, durable and wipe clean finish.

One Good Eye Deserves Another

So many times I have picked up an item at an auction or charity shop and thought "mmm wonder what I could use that for?" then set it down. 

I have approached this in a different way now. If it attracted me sub consiously then my GUT is telling me to consider it. Obviously price and condition of object is crucial to consider.

I buy it now if all the practical conditions are met. No, not to clutter up my house but it means that my creative flow is fed.

The yellow tea pot in the picture is late 1800's and noone would consider it for 'tea'. So it stayed on my shelf for such a long time.

The other day I took the lid off and put some flowers into it..........took the picture below and it has a new use!

SIMPLES!

Kitty to love.

Look at this cute little vintage Siamese kitty. Glazed porcelain and pretty features.  I love cats, do you?

Lovely little gift.

Available from www.bigbrownsuitcase.co.uk.

The Skill is in the Creation

Ita McErlean (@mybrownsuitcase) tweeted at 11:12 AM on Sat, May 04, 2013: Soon to be added to http://t.co/vvsKuLTTWH http://t.co/rXXkjhz4VR (https://twitter.com/mybrownsuitcase/status/330626087086329856) Get the official Twitter app at https://twitter.com/download

Little Things Add Sentiment

I was browsing round some cool but very dusty charity shops in the later part of today and picked up some little bits that sparked an emotion in me.'

Having noticed these items they really would have meant nothing but dust collectors to me, I proceeded to buy them.  Like a Stepford Wife I moved with skill to the desk and asked "how much" please?  The older lady looked over the rim of her glasses at me and said how cute she thought they were. She recalled how her mother had filled the house with bird ornaments like these. This lady was probably in her 70's but the quality of the items is superb in comparison with the dull lifeless repro's of today. I bought them as an out of body experience because I just dont "do" ornaments.

Somehow they appealed to a memory locked in my sub conscious which is a strong marketing strategy. Birds....thats what I bought, sweet little porcelain handpainted birds.

Anyway they reminded me of my great Aunt Maryann whose home was filled with little knick knacks, a treasure trove. I spent a few minutes lost in the deep happiness of childhood as I was still there. My dad brought us to visit his Aunt frequently and as he greeted her with great excitement and love, I was checking out my favourite item on the wall at the front door.

A ceramic wall hanging of a horse head jutting out over the top of a stable door. Its. Chestnut face had a long broad white strip running from the forelock to the muzzle of its mouth. Despite my small height and veryyyyy young years, I still managed to touch its nose and pet it.

A few years later it was destroyed in a fire that occurred in the house. While thankfully my Great Aunt was unharmed I mourned the loss of the plaque but the memory stays cemented in my mind.

I still search for one in my everyday hunt for antiquities.

Share some nice memories.

Thats why I love this business.

Wearing vintage is an art

Many people are strutting their stuff in a montage of vintage fashion.

Shrek...stop!

Death by vintage as some women mix and match eras that simply should never be introduced to each other.

Overdone style that has taken a hike in price as charity shops cut out the best customers they had to coin a profit.

Traders.

My thinking is that as vintage begins to take a trough in popularity many charity shops will be left high n dry with overpriced items hence missing the boat.

We should all work together to earning our little bit.

Room for us all!

Just Browsing...thank you!

You know when something just catches your eye and looking at it makes you wonder why? It is just something about it that makes a connection with your emotions, needs or whatever.

This is the moment that is important for US the sellers to just step back a few vital moments to allow that connection to occur!

More again!