Crafting a Bucket Decoupage

Decorate a plain tin bucket with decoupage.

Decoupage is an inexpensive and easy way to create custom decorative pieces for your home. Small buckets that have been decoupaged can serve as extra storage or be filled with flowers or fruit as decorative objects. Unlike most other items, however, buckets require a small amount of preparation before decoupage can be successfully applied.

Things You'll Need

• Small metal bucket
• Spray paint or spray primer
• Scissors
• Paper, magazine clippings or photographs
• Decoupage glue
• Foam paint brush
• Razor blade or utility knife

Instructions

1. Spray the metal bucket with a thin coat of paint or primer. This is necessary for the decoupage glue to stick to the metal.

2. Wait for the paint or primer to dry. This can take two to four hours, depending on weather conditions.

3. Cut paper or photographs into desired shapes. Nearly any type of paper is suitable, including construction paper, clippings from magazines or newspapers and photographs. Tissue paper may be used, but several layers may be necessary to prevent the surface of the bucket from showing through the paper.

4. Brush a thin layer of decoupage glue on the back of one piece of paper and on a section of the bucket slightly larger than the size of the paper.

5. Press the paper on to the bucket where the glue was placed.

6. Smooth the paper with your fingers, gently pushing out any bubbles or wrinkles. Repeat this process for each piece of paper, working in small sections until the bucket is completely covered. It's alright if some pieces of paper hang over the top and bottom of the bucket. They will be trimmed later.

7. Brush a thin layer of decoupage glue over the bucket to seal the paper. Work slowly and gently, so that the paper doesn't move or wrinkle.

8. Wait for the decoupage glue to dry. This can take three to four hours. Repeat this process twice more.

9. Trim the edges of any paper hanging over the top or bottom of the bucket using a razor blade or utility knife.

Tips & Warnings

• Add painted details, flat-back rhinestones or glitter after the top layer of decoupage glue is dry for extra visual interest.

• Don't use photographs that are freshly printed on a home printer. The ink needs time to set and dry or it will be smeared by the decoupage glue.

References

• ILoveToCreate.com: Decoupage a Bucket
• The Wildwood Cottage: Decoupaged Garden Container
• Kiddley: Valentine's Buckets