By Elizabeth Jewell
Karin Wiberg hosted the meeting; we skipped our usual breakout groups to focus on the craft presentation by Vikki Silverman, a JASNA-NC member based near Asheville. She was formerly the Regional Coordinator in the west coast region of Florida (Sarasota to Gainesville). Her family has given her the nickname of the “Découpage Queen.”
Vikki began by reviewing the supplies needed: a glass of water, Elmer’s glue, Mod Podge (a glossy sealer), a paintbrush, a sponge of some kind, scissors, an item to découpage, and your pictures. Vikki’s items for the day’s demonstration included an empty Kleenex box, a teapot, and a mirror.
The first thing to decide is your background—the first layer on your item. She shows us a box with a tweed background on it already, so she didn’t make another background for that. You can paint the item or just put a découpage item for the background and then other art on top of it. She sent clip art to members beforehand, which can be used as a whole sheet or cut-out pieces. She uses wrapping paper or a calendar a lot. She also uses tissue paper, especially for round items; the tissue paper wraps around curved edges more easily. She showed us a teapot and a tissue box with embellishments, including tiny tea service pieces.
She explains that we will probably not get to the Mod Podge stage today, because the work done before that must be completely dry first. You can use Elmer’s glue under the Mod Podge even for things that will get wet (e.g., mugs), as long as the final layer of waterproof Mod Podge is used.
Vikki also noted that she’s tried some things that didn’t work as well as she’d hoped, including a hat—the découpage made it so stiff it doesn’t bend to fit on her head, so it looks good, but can’t be worn. One member asked about doing a bike helmet, which Vikki assured us could be done because it’s hard already. Another thing not to do is a musical instrument; she did a guitar that a friend gave her, but it doesn’t sound like it did before she put Mod Podge on it.
Karin asked if Vikki did the chair she’s been sitting in, and she showed us that she did.
A member asked if items that have been découpaged can be washed or put in the dishwasher; Vikki notes that at Michael’s or on Amazon there are different kinds of Mod Podge (in matte or gloss). There is one called “dishwasher safe” that she uses for teapots, mugs, and a tray. She washes them by hand, though; one mug was put into the dishwasher and was ruined.
She also mentions that it’s useful to have a stiff card or an old credit card to smooth out the picture used to découpage.
Vikki began by placing an image on the Kleenex box, showing us how she trims the paper to fit around the hole in the top of the box. She puts glue on the back of the paper and spreads it out, then glues it to the box. To see the process and get tips, see www.plaidonline.com/mod_podge
Vikki notes that she reuses and reimagines a lot to find materials to use—for example, she used an old baking tray to make a serving tray. She has used broken jewelry and lace from a fabric store and cutouts from a coloring book. Crafters don’t have to be artists—you can put an image on an object and then cover up part of it with another layer to hide flaws or provide embellishments.
Members showed the objects they were working on, including cups, a vase, and a box (with both the top and the interior bottom découpaged).
The video of the meeting will be available for longer than usual and available to download so that members can watch it and see the process Vikki demonstrates.
Up Next
Karin announced future meetings; October 19 will be a debrief of the AGM, which takes place October 10-12 in Baltimore. November 16 will be our fan fiction book club with a discussion of Recipe for Persuasion by Sonali Dev. December will be the hybrid meeting on December 7 from 2:00 to 4:00 at Gisele’s home and online via Zoom. Additionally, on December 16 (Jane’s birthday) there’s a virtual Regency ball at 7:00 p.m.