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Decoupage Ideas & Patterns

A Simple Decoupage Project

Decoupage Ideas

The wall hanging pictured above is a decoupage creation by my friend Kay Davies. It is quite simply and inexpensively done; and I know that they sell well for her.

I’m not presenting this as a pattern per se, but rather as an idea you can play with, change around and make unique. You can create your own unique work of decoupage art to display in your home or sell through your craft business.

Kay’s picture consists of three pieces, the backing, the mat and the artwork itself.

The overall size of the work is 12” x 12” (30cm x 30cm). The mat is 9 ¼” wide x 9 ½” high (23.3cm x 24cm). The artwork is 7” wide x 8 ½ “ high (17.6cm x 21.4cm).

The Backing

In this case the backing is a piece of ¼” MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard). It is painted green and has 1” (2.5cm) unfinished wood squares at each corner. It also is supplied with wall hangers on the back.

Of course, if you choose to use wood, it could be color coordinated with the artwork. Or maybe not. Contrasting colors and stains are other options to consider. Maybe an old weathered piece of wood would make the perfect backing.

However, wood is not the only option. How about stretched canvas, Plexiglas, mirrored glass, or even leather glued to a backing?

You don’t need to add corner decorations, but if you do, how about upholstery tacks, coins, especially old oriental ones, buttons or medallions? Just about any decorative piece of suitable size that can be made to have a flat back will do.

What about the size? Most of us have printers that are limited to pages 8 ½ “ (21.4cm) wide, although the length can be stretched using a banner setting. We are probably most comfortable dealing with the standard 8 ½” x 11” (21.4cm x 27.7cm) size due to cost considerations and ease of use.

However, there are desk jet printers that can produce much larger prints. A friend has an HP printer that does up to 14” x 17” (35.2cm x 42.8cm) prints. Office supply centers such as Kinko’s and Staples or other professional printers may be able to make even bigger size color prints.

Unless you are planning a truly magnificent or expensive work of art, the smaller sizes will probably offer the highest return on investment. Larger sizes of art paper are sometimes hard to find and very large size color prints can be quite costly. The other elements of the artwork have to be scaled up as well, all of which adds cost, weight and complexity to the project.

If you have trouble finding suitable papers, try Paper.com.

They carry an array of art papers in a variety of sizes.

The Mat

In keeping with my own habit of looking for non-craft related items to use in my crafts, Kay has used as her matting a sushi wrapping mat, available in sushi-making kits that can be found in most supermarkets.

Think of other items that can be used. Saw grass type wallpapers, while outrageously expensive to paper your walls, would work well and be more affordable in small amounts. You might even be lucky enough to have a source for wallpaper sample books, where you would find many other possibilities as well.

But how about cheaper options, such as table place mats made of natural fibers, or perhaps a heavily textured cloth? A second piece of wood in a different color or grain might be attractive also. Or use one of the more exotic art papers available.

The Decoupage Artwork

Art for decoupage can be found in magazines, books specifically printed for decoupage (see below), free or subscription graphic services available on the Internet, or at the end of your own hand - painted or drawn by you!

You can use things such as scraps of fabric, wine or beer labels, matchbook covers or family photos. Computer graphics software is another option. It allows you to create unique art even if you can't draw the proverbial straight line.

Notice the ragged edges that add a more artistic flair to Kay's work. She wets the area of the paper to be torn and then tears it using a straightedge as a guide. This takes some practice and the effect depends on the grain and tensile strength of the paper, so try it on scraps first.

Be sure you honor copyrights, especially for anything you are planning to sell. There are many free image websites where you can download pictures royalty-free. Among them are Free Stock Photos and Free Images.

The Frame

Now all you have to decide is whether your work of art would be enhanced by a frame. If you use Plexiglas as a backing, a frame could be designed to create the effect of the artwork floating in air.

The decision is artistic and probably can’t be made until the piece is finished. If you do frame your work, make sure the frame does not overwhelm you art or detract from the look you’re trying to convey.

Let your imagination run free!

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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