Decoupage Tutorial

Decoupage Jewelry Chest

In case you haven't noticed, decoupage is all the rage and I love it.  This little piece is one I purchased long ago to alter--two years later I'm finally getting to it--sound familiar?!?  

To begin, I removed the little pulls and marked the fronts of each drawer with an up arrow.  I'm really good at attaching things upside down so the arrow keeps me focused.  The paint bottle gives you a little size perspective--small.  Keep watch for the furniture piece I'm doing like this soon.

After drawers and knobs were removed, I used Frayed Burlap Distress Stain to stain the tops, sides and back of each drawer.  Apply the stain, let it dry and then reapplied two more times.  I also did this to the top of the piece.

Next, knowing I wanted to use vintage music paper, French Typography and a rose image, I headed to http://www.graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/ to find the perfect images. These are the two I chose. 

 LOVE, LOVE Karen's selections and variety.

Next, I centered my piece of music paper (from a book of music I got at the thrift store) over the front of the piece (drawers out) and decoupaged the entire piece to the unit. 

TIP to avoid air bubbles when decoupaging: dip your paper in water FIRST then apply your decoupage medium to the back of the paper, place it over your desired piece, and burnish well.  Use care when using thin, older paper.  After burnished, apply a layer of decoupage medium over the entire surface and burnish well again.  I have used this technique many times and find it works so much better than just applying your medium, a little messier but worth it.

 After the paper was dry, I cut an "X" from corner to corner in the paper where the drawers go and glued the edges inside.  I did trim the excess so there was just enough paper to wrap into the openings.  You can see on the photo below.  

After that was completed I added another layer of decoupage medium.  I used Claudine Hellmuth's Studio Multi-Medium in a matte finish but anything you have will work.

I then cut two more pieces of music paper and attached them to the sides using the same technique as above.

 Next, I printed out the French letter to the size I needed to cover all the drawers.  I then measured, cut and decoupaged the french text to each of the drawers--paying attention to my up arrow.

After dry, I applied another layer of multi-medium.  Once that was dry, I went in with sandpaper and distressed all the edges and then inked to give the piece a vintage look.

Next, I printed the rose paper to the size I wanted and fussy cut the rose.  With drawers in place, I laid the piece on its back and aligned the rose exactly how I wanted it, 3/4 on the front and 1/4 on the side.  I dipped it in water, applied my decoupage medium over the back and attached it to the piece right over the drawers and the spaces in between, making sure to burnish it well everywhere.  I then painted another coat of medium over the top.  When it was almost dry, I used a sharp exacto knife and cut the image where all the drawer edged were.  Using care not to tear.

After it was completely dry, I removed each drawer and made sure the image was attached well.  I also made sure it was attached well over the rest of the unit.  When everything was as I wanted and completely dry, I sanded edges again and did a little inking.

To make the pulls, I used fillable charms I had and again printed 5 different roses from Graphics Fairy, this time very very small to fit the center of the charms.  I cut them to size, glued them to the charms and then filled the charm with Ranger's Crackle Accents.  I left them to sit overnight to dry and do their crackling -- (love that stuff).  I used 7 Gypsies Trim Hooks and Loops, which I hot glued to the drawers and then attached the charms with a small jump ring.

I love how it turned out.  What do you think?