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Decoupage a Bookcase

Using Kids Artwork to Decoupage

Hello!

The elementary school my children attend does a fundraising auction every year, and I am in charge of my kindergarten's class project.

A volunteer parent is making a bookcase, and we would like to decoupage artwork done by the children to the sides and top of the bookshelf.

If they use markers (washable) or watercolors for their masterpieces will they smear when we decoupage them?

How about crayons?

Any information would be appreciated!!

CaraBeth

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If you're using washable markers or watercolors, the colors will smear and bleed when the varnish is brushed over them.

Using acrylic paint instead of watercolor will help with this problem as the acrylic paint will not smear as easily. But, use a mixture of water and Elmers Glue(about 5% water to the Elmers Glue) and brush it over the artwork.

Load the brush heavily with the glue mixture, brush in one direction and only one time to prevent smearing the colors.

Practice on a piece of artwork that you don't mind tossing ..... this is just to practice!

Using lightweight paper isn't a good idea....lightweight cardstock is advisable because, if using lightweight paper, such as ordinary bond, the paper will bubble up and not flatten out when dry.

Another alternative is to coat the back of the artwork with the glue mixture, let it dry and then proceed to do the same with the front. This will give the lightweight paper more body and it MAY not bubble or wrinkle.

Let the front dry well then cover with a waterbased (acrylic) varnish....Several coats will make it very washable.

Finally, if this does not work, why not make color copies of the art and decoupage them instead? You’ll probably save yourself a lot of grief doing it that way. Make a few extra copies to practice on.

Send me a copy of the finished piece to put up on the website.

Good Luck.

For more on decoupage, visit The Decoupage Index Page.

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Recommended Reading

These books are excellent resources for decoupeurs. Not only do you get tips and techniques, but also artwork that you can use in your own projects.

New Decoupage: Transforming Your Home With Paper, Glue, and Scissors By: Durwin Rice The Victorian Scrap Gallery: A Collection of over 500 Full-Color Victorian-Era Images By: Dee Davis Absolute Beginner's Decoupage: The Simple Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Beautiful Decoupage By: Alison Jenkins Collage Discovery Workshop: Make Your Own Collage Creations Using Vintage Photos, Found Objects and Ephemera By: Claudine Hellmuth 930 Matchbook Advertising Cuts of the Twenties and Thirties (Pictorial Archive Series) By: Trina Robbins Decoupage: A Practical Guide to the Art of Decorating Surfaces with Paper Cutouts By: Dee Davis

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