People have asked me how I create the decoupaged glass pieces I post on the blog. I will show you how step by step. Remember, there are many ways to do this; this is just one example. The process can be very time consuming and I have cursed a blue streak while working on these pieces.
Let’s do this!
Select an image and make a few laser or toner copies (not inkjet). Glass should be clear. It can be a vase, bowl, plate or anything else you find that you might want to use. Cut out your Xeroxed image. The more “filigree” the more spots where the metallic and paint can show through. For this demonstration, I chose a clear round plate and a dragon image that was on a blue field. I cut around the dragon and got rid of all the blue background.
Check to see how you want to place your image on the glass. This is how I chose to layout my dragon.
Make sure your glass is clean!
Get two paper bowls. Put some Elmer’s Glue (white glue) in one bowl with a few drops of water and mix that up. Put clean water in the other bowl. Have a small sponge handy.
Next smear the glue all over the back of the glass. Gently place the image on the glass. If it’s very large you may have to glue it in sections. Remember it’s the front of the image to the back of the glass.
Put some glue on your fingertips and GENTLY press on the image to get the bubbles out and to carefully re-position some areas if needed. This is the part where I start to curse. I have ruined many a piece at this stage.
After you’ve gently pressed most of the bubbles out, take a wet sponge and GENTLY PAT the glue off the glass. DO NOT RUB. I have rubbed many an image right off. You know what happens? It goes right in the sink because it’s Ruined! Ruined! I say! Don’t let this happen to you. Dip the sponge in the clean water bowl, rinse and PAT the glue off. Do it again and again until most of the glue is off. Be very careful not to tear the paper since it is pretty wet and it will very easily tear. I’ve torn COUNTLESS images at this stage, but they can be fixed. That’s why you made multiple copies. More on that later.
From the front your image will first look like this. Amazingly the glue in front of the paper will dry clear.
After you’ve gotten most of the glue off, let it dry. Go back later and clean some more glue off. You can use a Q-tip to get into the small spaces or even an X-acto knife to scrape away some of the glue.
Once your image is clean and dry, it should look like this.
Bored yet? Have a smoke. Have a drink. Listen to music. I am humming “the Girl from Ipanema.” I have no idea why.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tO4pJstv_TM
OK, break over. Next steps: Metallic paint, background painting and sealing.
21 comments
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August 18, 2012 at 12:23 pm
Beth Parker
Loving it so far! I can’t wait to see step two… which I already spotted in my inbox. I like that. No waiting! 🙂
August 19, 2012 at 9:52 pm
Carol King
We are a full service blog. No waiting here. Thanks, Beth.
August 18, 2012 at 3:00 pm
tank
most helpful and wonderful – though I admit I prefer this version
August 19, 2012 at 9:53 pm
Carol King
I’ve never liked this song, it reminds me of elevator music. I do like your version better. Thanks for your visit and comment.
August 18, 2012 at 4:06 pm
jaybastian
You rock. I’m so doing this!
August 19, 2012 at 9:53 pm
Carol King
Go for it Jay!
August 18, 2012 at 8:51 pm
jimmyboi2
SO BEAUTIFUL AND INCREDIBLE !! WOW !!!!!!
August 19, 2012 at 9:54 pm
Carol King
Thanks Jim, we should be doing this in Florida one of these days!
August 20, 2012 at 9:24 am
RHCarpenter
Looks great – something else I’ll not take on at the moment but thanks for sharing. I like the dragon and you could do so much with this…no, I cannot take on this, cannot, will not…hmmm….well, maybe later? ha ha
August 20, 2012 at 2:01 pm
Decoupage under glass – step by step instructions – Part One … | | decoupagedecoupage
[…] post: Decoupage under glass – step by step instructions – Part One … This entry was posted in Uncategorized and tagged art, asked, collage, decorative, decoupage, […]
August 20, 2012 at 6:16 pm
hannekekoop
Love the image too. 🙂
August 20, 2012 at 11:26 pm
lesliepaints
Excellent demo, both step one and step two. ..and you have said I have patience? I think you win on that one, Carol. I’d probably spend forever just cutting out my image only to knick it with the scissors the last inch or so. Beautiful finished piece!
August 22, 2012 at 6:55 am
pointypix
Thank you for this – of course I only have an inkjet printer so that rules me out of trying this right there – I did read on through the entire thing though because you have a wonderful ability to make step by steps sound interesting and funny at the same time – usually I switch off reading step by steps a couple of lines in! Even though I can’t do this (damn my inkjet printer) I will still look forward to reading the next stage of the process!
August 22, 2012 at 10:29 am
Carol King
Hi Nicola, I recently heard from another decoupage under glass artist that she used an inkjet copy for a project with her grandson and it worked! So maybe I was wrong about that. Give it a try!
August 24, 2012 at 11:23 am
napabelle
OH Carol, this looks like such fun ! Thanks for explaining. I can see the potential. You’ve mastered it very well, and make it easy!
August 24, 2012 at 3:21 pm
Carol King
thanks Isabelle, If you end up doing one of these, please let me know how it turns. out.
August 29, 2012 at 8:15 am
padmaja
Carol, thanks for your visit and feed back, truly appreciate it! I am enjoying your previous posts along with this one thoroughly, may be you opened another avenue for my creativity today, your instructions are very helpful and the works beautiful!
October 24, 2013 at 3:51 pm
Lee
Loveeee the Dragon, where is the next step?
March 8, 2014 at 11:05 pm
Brenda Cohen
Hi Carol
I have made several glass plates and a good way of cleaning the glass is by using tissue paper and vinegar.
Brenco
March 8, 2014 at 11:23 pm
Carol King
Thanks for that tip. I’ll give it a try.
June 19, 2015 at 10:03 pm
More decoupage under glass and an anniversary | Carol King: drawing, painting, complaining
[…] posted about it before and even had some step by step instructions posted on this blog here Part One and here Part […]