mom sectionmom section
Decoupage, the art of lacquering paper cutouts to give the appearance of inlay, began in the 17th century when European artists tried to replicate the look of lacquered furniture from Asia. Soon the trend evolved from furniture decoration to the act of cutting out prints of famous artists' work and lacquering them to frames. It became known as "poor man's art." That nickname is only half-true. It doesn't take a poor man to do decoupage, but a decoupage wooden sign can be created for a fairly low cost.
Decoupage is the artistic technique of cutting, recombining, pasting and varnishing printed images to form an assemblage picture. It is admirably suited to recycled art. Ephemera, decorative papers, old greeting cards and magazines that might otherwise be headed for the trash bin, can find new life as decorative and artistic elements. Outdated and worn furniture and home decor items can be refreshed and revitalized with decoupaged surfaces.
Altoids tins are a crafter's dream: sturdy, versatile and inexpensive. For a simple craft or children's activity, covering the outside of the tin with paint or decoupage will create a small and attractive box. For crafters with more ambition, Altoids tin projects can range from travel kits to self-contained robots.
Many people have a bunch of ticket stubs left over from movies, plays, concerts or other events that they have attended. Instead of letting the ticket stubs sit in a shoe box, do something creative with them. Use them to make something you can keep as a memory of enjoyable events or to make a cherished gift for a loved one.
Beeswax is a great craft material that can be used to create useful items for your household, including ornaments and candles. With all projects that involve melted candle wax, take precautions so you don't get any hot wax on your skin or clothing.
Many senior citizens lead healthy lifestyles that allow them to partake in a variety of fun activities such as outdoor adventures, sports and travel. Likewise, art projects are good activities for seniors, as they invoke creativity and inspiration. Some art projects may even have beneficial health effects, as well. If you are looking for art project ideas for senior citizens, consider painting, sculpting, scrap-booking or mosaics.
Collages crafts express the creator's inner desires, bring out his creative side or capture specific memories. Using magazines, fabric, construction paper and photographs, seniors can creative various collage projects using products they likely already have in their homes. Each project is a new and creative way for seniors to express themselves and their lives through art.
Using wax as the decoupage medium, beeswax collage is a creative way to express a theme or your unique sense of style. Beeswax collage combines images, text and three-dimensional (3D) objects between layers of wax on a canvas. The wax can set your art in a hazy, dreamy context or make it look old-fashioned. Experiment with different materials to discover the various ways to present your collage ideas.
