`Justine` tray designed and crafted by Georgina Rockas usi

DECOUPAGE

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Decoupage is a technique used to decorate furniture and articles such as boxes, lamp bases, firescreens, vases, tea trays, decorative plates, and just about anything you like, using paper cutouts which are then sealed and varnished. Numerous coats of varnish are applied to achieve a level and smooth finish.

Additional techniques can also be used to finish the article, such as crackle varnishing and ageing, gold leafing and the addition of beads, mother of pearl and iridescent paints, to achieve stunning effects.

Every decoupeur has his/her own style and methods of working. My favourite sources for decoupage are the numerous books containing colour , black and white drawings of original designs used to create decorative architectural features, plasterwork and metal work of the Rococo, Queen Anne, the Neo-classical periods. . I like using photocopies of pre-Raphaelite reproductions, Pierre Redoute flowers , wrapping papers and designs from the Art Nouveau period.