How to Decoupage Glitter on Shoes

Glitter decoupage shoes are excellent for costume parties or when you're feeling whimsical.

Decoupage your old shoes with glitter to make a unique fashion statement. Don't chuck your old shoes and sneakers in the landfill if there's still life in them. Save the money you'd spend on new shoes and recycle your old ones with a snazzy, sparkly makeover. A great project for kids at home, in clubs and classrooms, or for adults who want to stand out, glitter decoupage is a budget-friendly craft that requires no special art skills.

Things You'll Need

• Tissue or thin fabric (optional)
• Decoupage medium
• Sponge brush
• Liner paint brush
• Glitter
• Newspaper or old box
• Scrap cardboard or plastic
• Spray varnish or acrylic sealer

Instructions

1. Remove laces, if any, and clean your old shoes. If they're cloth, like canvas, put them through a washer and drier cycle. If they're made of non-cloth material, like imitation leather, wipe them with a damp rag and mild dishwashing detergent, then allow them to air dry.

2. Plan a design for your shoes. Decide if you want to use decoupage cloth or tissue paper on the shoe and use glitter as accents or go whole-hog and glitter the entire shoe. Use a single color glitter, or make decorative shapes with different colored glitter.

3. Decoupage your shoes with tissue or thin fabric pieces first if you're doing a combination of fabric or tissue with glitter. Spread a thin layer of decoupage medium over one section of the shoe and apply a strip of tissue or fabric. Smooth it out. Add more medium and more layers, and cover the finished layers with a coat of medium. If you don't want to use tissue or fabric, or if you plan on covering the entire shoe with glitter, skip this step.

4. Brush decoupage medium in a very thin layer on one section where you wish to apply glitter. If you're covering the whole area, use a medium-sized craft brush to cover it. If you want to do more detailed designs, use a liner paint brush to apply the medium in the shape of your desired design.

5. Sprinkle glitter over the wet decoupage medium. Continue to add your medium and glitter to other sections or in different colors. Alternately, cover the entire shoe in glitter section by section. Let the medium dry.

6. Stuff your shoes with newspaper to protect the insides. Bring them outdoors and put them on a piece of scrap cardboard or plastic bag. Spray on a spray varnish or clear acrylic sealer to seal in and protect the glitter. Spray varnish or sealers are best with glitter because going over it with a brush can loosen it and move it around. Allow the protective coating to dry thoroughly before wearing your shoes.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a non-yellowing varnish or sealer to prevent discoloration from age.

• If making this craft with children, an adult should do the spray varnish or sealer, which isn't safe for children to handle.