WELCOME

I’m delighted to launch the first edition of “The Looking Glass,” a quarterly (or thereabouts) newsletter for people interested in the art of decoupage or art in general. Each issue of “The Looking Glass” will include my show schedule, sales venues and workshop plans, plus tips and ideas you can apply to your own projects.

Please contact me at dseigen@yahoo.com if you would like to have your name added or removed from the e-news mailing list. 

UPCOMING SHOWS & VENUES

• Museum of Wisconsin Art, West Bend: My decoupage on glass is now available at the MOWA gift shop and atrium through October 2019.
• 2018 Winter Arts & Crafts Expo: Holiday shoppers will find my work on sale at this juried show in Evanston, Il, sponsored by the Evanston Art Center. This is a perfect arrangement as art fairs go because I’m not required to be present or have a booth. Instead, volunteers will set up the display and sell my wares. The show runs from Nov. 17 through Dec. 22^nd at the Evanston Art Center, 1717 Central St., Evanston, IL.
• Timber Creek Interiors, LLC, Boulder Junction, WI. My work is now available at this interior furnishings and design shop, “where rustic elegance comes home.” Clients include local residents and vacationers from Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois. 
• Etsy: Please visit my Etsy shop (f.k.a. The Furniture Dresser) for current inventory and samples. Exclusive offer to “The Looking Glass” readers: Contact me by e-mail to receive 20% off your purchase, plus free shipping 

DECOUPAGE: ART OR CRAFT?

Many people think of decoupage -- the technique of embellishing furniture and other items with cut paper – as a home-decorating fad of the late 1900s, but it’s been around for centuries. The French developed decoupage (French for “to cut from”) in the 1600s, influenced by paper-cutting and applique techniques from other cultures. It spread to Italian and English courts in the 1700s, and remains popular to this day. Contemporary works of decoupage on glass and other items have made their way into galleries and museums around the world. 

THE DECOUPAGE-ON-GLASS PROCESS

To create separate interior and exterior designs on a glass vessel, paper is glued in layers to the outside with the interior design facing in and visible through the glass. The exterior design layers are glued over that, facing out. The piece is finished by applying up to 30 coats of clear varnish for a shiny, smooth exterior.

WORKSHOPS

Want to learn to create your own 3-D decoupage-on-glass artwork? I plan to offer a workshop next summer, date and location TBA. Please send me an e-mail if you are interested, and include your preferred time (evening or weekend) and format (2 hours, 4 hours, all day).

TIPS& TRICKS: Papers

The weight and texture of the paper you use for your decoupage project is important to the entire process, from gluing to final varnishing. Here are some considerations when selecting paper:

• Gluing: Paper is glued in strips to fit the shape of a bowl or vase. Lightweight paper (up to 30#) adheres better and conforms more easily to round shapes, with fewer lifted edges. Gift wrap, napkins and tissue paper are good choices for decoupage on glass. (When using napkins, separate the top printed layer from the backing before applying.) Tissue paper and napkins are translucent and play off of sunlight and candle light, but are more delicate and require extra care when gluing. Beware of shiny paper, which fights being glued to glass, but is more cooperative if glued onto a previous paper layer.
• Varnishing: Thicker papers create a more irregular surface, with more noticeable edges along the paper strips, so more varnish is needed to smooth out the surface. It’s doable, just harder. The same applies to textured and flocked paper. If you want to use some gorgeous paper but it’s thick or textured, consider it for one of the inside-facing layers, glued face down onto the glass.
• Buying: The Dollar Store and Goodwill are economical sources for tissue paper and gift wrap. Look through the gift bags for design elements, such as leaves, paisley and flowers, that can be cut out and used for design detail. Some retail outlets for handmade and decorative papers include The Paper Source (Milwaukee area stores in Bay Shore and The Corners of Brookfield, Mulberry Paper, and Papyrus. Tell your friends and family to save pretty gift wrapping for your paper inventor.

In the next issue: Decoupage glues and varnishes

Please contact me at dseigen@yahoo.com to:

• add or delete your name from the mailing list
• get a 20% discount and free shipping at my Etsy store
• express your workshop interest and preferences
• ask questions or share ideas for future topics

Thanks for reading!

Donna