Decoupaged Wooden Earrings Tutorial

Hello, and thank you for joining me for this tutorial on how to use the art of napkin decoupage to make beautiful one of a kind earrings like the ones pictured below...

Decoupaged Wooden Earrings
can be made with printed floral napkins

Aren't they just beautiful???

At this point before we begin, I would like to mention that you don't have to print your own patterns to do this project.

Why not you may ask; because there are many beautiful, pre-printed patterns that are available to purchase, just like the yellow roses on the earrings pictured above.

In addition to this note, the underlined words in blue print on this blog post are links to where you can shop for the specific item underlined. 

If you purchase anything through these links, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.  Thank you in advance for any purchases you may make!

So, to reiterate, it's not necessary to print your own patterns for this earring tutorial, and you can skip those steps in the first few directions outlined below.

To give you an idea of what's available for purchase online, pictured below is a very pretty pattern on a napkin that I think would make a beautiful pair of earrings... 

Floral Napkins are readily
available online too
(click link above to learn more)

This is just one of the
many shapes available online

If you painted the background of your earring in a very light teal color and used the printed napkin above, the result would probably be similar to this...

A few more things before we begin...

Pre-Steps:

Before printing out a picture on a napkin, you will have to secure a plain white kitchen napkin to a piece of computer paper.

If the napkin is two-ply or three-ply, unfold it and peel it down to one ply before attaching it to the computer paper.

Then secure the napkin to a piece of computer paper with Scotch tape.  For more information about exactly how to do this, watch the video below...

"How to Make Napkin Prints for Decoupage Projects"

This is what it will look like...

Napkin secured to a piece of computer
 paper with Scotch tape before printing

Please find a SUPPLIES LIST below the DIRECTIONS with links to purchase next to each item for your convenience.

I have also created a video of the instructions outlined here on this blogpost if you would like to watch it before you begin.  Here is the link...

"Decoupaged Wooden Earrings Tutorial"

If you have any questions, please leave them in the 'Comments' section below and I will be happy to help you out.

Now, onto our project...

DIRECTIONS

Step 1:

  Finding a pattern

Go to Pinterest or your favorite search engine.  In the search bar, type a term for an image of something you would like to make into a pair of earrings.

You can use terms like 'Lily Pulitzer patterns' or 'mandala patterns' or 'floral patterns'.  Your search results in Pinterest for Lily Pulitzer will look like this...

'Lily Pulitzer patterns' search results in Pinterest

Step 2:

  Downloading the Pattern

From the search results, decide on an image you would like to make into earrings.  You are going to copy and paste it into a word processing document.

Place your mouse over the pattern of your choice, and while hovering over the image 'right click' on it to make it larger on the page.

Always save from the larger image to get the best results.

As shown in the picture below, hover over the image and using your mouse 'right click' and select 'Copy Image' (see pic below)...

'Copy image' from the larger version after hovering
over it and right clicking on it with mouse

In another window, open a new blank word processing document (or preferably have one open before you start).

While in the new blank document, 'right click' again and select 'Paste' so that now your pattern is in your word processing document (see picture below)...

'Paste' image into a blank word processing document

It might also be a good idea to print at least four of the same image, two for the front, and two for the back of each earring pair.

Step 3:

  Resizing the Pattern

Once your pattern is downloaded into the WP document, you can now resize it, recolor it, and also format it to print the image in reverse.

It might also be a good idea to print at least four of the same image, two for the front, and two for the back of each earring pair.   So go ahead and copy and paste until you have four.

You don't have to put the image on the back too, but this is something I like to do so that I don't have to paint it later. 

You won't want to leave it unfinished with no color so either two or four is fine, however, just remember if you don't print four, then you will probably want to paint the back.

In order to figure out the size for your images, hold your earring blank up to the image on the screen in the WP document.  See the picture below...

'Left click' on the image and a black outline will appear around the image as you can see in the picture above.  Place your mouse on the corner and move it back and forth to make the image bigger or smaller.

If you would like the image reversed for the second earring, flip it using the 'Format Picture' commands in WP at the top of the page before printing.

Now we are ready to print it out!

Step 5:

  Printing the Image onto a Napkin

Place your napkin/computer paper that you made in the Pre-Steps (outlined at the top of this page) in the rear tray of your printer...

From your word processing document, select 'File', and then select 'Print' at the top of the page.

Next, while in the print menu of your word processing document, you should see something like 'Printer Properties' as shown in the picture below...

You may have to look around your word processing
program for 'Printer Properties' this is what it
looks like on mine

For 'Paper Source' select 'Rear Feed'.  For 'Quality Settings' select 'Best'.  Select 'OK'.  Then select 'Print'...  

This is the result!

When it’s dry, use a paint brush to seal it with Mod Podge Gloss Finish.

Gently remove the napkin print from the computer paper.

On the back side of the napkin print, place your earring blank.  Use a pencil to trace the outline of the earring blank.

Carefully cut the napkin print out around the traced line.

Use a clear glue stick to secure the napkin cutout to the front of the earring blank.  Let it dry.

As you may see from the picture directly above, you may want to print out four of the same images so you can glue one to the back of each earring as well.

Step 6:

  Finishing your Earrings

After you add a bead and hook to your earrings, use Mod Podge to seal both sides of the earring.

To finish off the earrings, you may want to add a bead to the earring, to do this use will need a jewelry tool kit, jump rings and an earring hook.

In addition to a jewelry kit, you may want to get a pair of pliers to make the process of making loops extremely easy.  I love mine and would not know what to do without it for making the loops I need to make.

Watch the video below to learn how to use looping pliers to add beads...

Here is a list of SUPPLIES you may need:

(click on the underlined link to shop for specific product listed) Wooden Earring Blanks: - Teardrop Shape - Circle Shape - Other Shapes

Jewelry Tool Kit

Looping Pliers

Earring Hooks

Beads

Jump Rings

Mod Podge

Paint Brushes

Computer Paper

White Kitchen Napkins

Scotch Tape

Inkjet Printer

Scissors

Glue Sticks

  Enjoy your earrings!

Easter Egg Napkin Decoupage - Learn How to Make Your Own Prints

Hello, and thank you for joining me for this Easter egg decoupage tutorial!

In any case, once you start with this craft, you may need a whole year to make decoupage Easter eggs anyway so you better get started!

If you would like to make an Easter egg similar to the one pictured above, please read on.

Using thin paper for decoupage projects is really a great way to make beautiful projects for this holiday.

Sometimes, though, the thin pre-made papers that we can purchase which are great for decoupage projects, such as napkins and gift tissues, have designs that are too large or small and this can limit our creativity.

But not for long because...  

In this post, I am going to show you how to print any image you can find online to make your own decoupage paper!  

Before you print your image to make your own decoupage prints for an Easter egg like the one in this tutorial, you will need to set up your napkins to print onto.  So please read on...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Before you begin with the directions below, watch the video in this section to learn how to make napkins to print onto.  You can use white gift tissue or regular white kitchen napkins:

"How to Make Napkin Prints for Decoupage Projects"

Basic Directions in above video (watch for more detail)

1. Cut a napkin to within 1" of the border of a piece of standard size computer paper so that you have enough room to tape it to most of the paper.

2. Tape the napkin piece to the computer paper with Scotch tape.

3. Insert the napkin/computer paper into the rear tray of your printer, or face side down in the printer tray, see pic below...

4. Print your image onto the computer/napkin paper.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The reason that napkins work so well for decoupage projects is because when the images are cut from the napkin and glued to the project with Mod Podge, or clear Elmer's glue, they seemingly fold into the background making the image look as if it was painted on.

If, however, you do not want to go through the process of making your own prints, there are many decoupage papers or napkins for many different occasions that you can purchase online.  Like the package of thin glossy Easter prints pictured here...

Glossy Decoupage Paper Sheets
(click the above link for more info on this product)

Are you ready to make some gorgeous Easter eggs??  Let's begin!

DIRECTIONS

After you watch the video above, "How to Make Napkin Prints for Decoupage Projects", we will need to download a picture into word processing so that it can be formatted to print on a napkin. 

1.  For this Easter egg decoupage project, I recommend using Pinterest to find an image.  Go into Pinterest and type 'Easter images' in the search bar at the top of the page.  The results should look similar to the one pictured here below...

PINTEREST SEARCH RESULTS
for 'Easter Images'

You may want to watch the video directly below before you move on to the next steps to make it easier as you follow along.  It's not necessary to watch it first, but it might give you a better understanding of the process...

"Learn How to Find, Download, and Format an Image to Print on a Napkin"

Please note that for the next steps I will be using different Easter images than the one for this tutorial (picture at the top of this page).  The images may be different, but the process is the same...

2.  Once you are in Pinterest, decide on an image you would like to put on your egg.   (This may be the hardest part, because there are so many 😄)

3.   Using your mouse, hover over the image you have selected.  'Left click' on the image with your mouse.  The image will now be larger at the top of your screen.  Always save from a larger image to get a clearer picture.

4.  Now that the image is at the top of the screen, use your mouse again, but this time  'right click' on it.  A menu of choices will appear and from that menu.  Select 'Copy image' (as shown in the picture below)...

Hovering over larger image at the top
of PINTEREST page, left click with mouse
and select 'Copy image'

5.  Now that you have selected 'Copy image' from the choices, move into a blank word processing program (you should probably have one open in another window to make things easier), 'right click' and select 'Paste'.  It will look something like the picture here...

Easter Image 'Pasted' into a
Word Processing Document

6.  Now that the image has been 'pasted' into the word processing document, 'left click' on the image and a thin black line will appear around the outside with four small circles on each corner.   Hold your wooden egg up to the screen to get a general idea of the size you will need for your project using the image on the screen as a guide since it will be true to size once printed.

'Left click' on the corner of the image with your mouse and move it back and forth to get the right size.  See picture below...

7.  Once you determine the right size, you can change the shape of the picture by hovering over it and clicking on it once again.  The thin black line will appear and under your 'Home' keys at the top of your page, you will find 'Picture Format'.  Here you can change the color, contrast, brightness and shape of your image...

Change the shape, color, contrast and brightness
of your image before printing on a napkin. You
can also flip the image horizontally here.

I would just like to note here that your word processing program might be different from mine, but usually most WP programs have similar features, so look around and play with the image to get it to your liking before you print it out onto a napkin.  

For my Easter egg decoupage projects, I always choose the 'Soft Edge Oval'...

Changing the shape of your image to an oval
is best for an Easter egg project.  It's always
good to use the right shape for your decoupage
canvas since it makes it easier to adhere.

Watch this video below for more detailed instruction on this Step (7)...

"How to Download, Format, Copy and Paste an Image into Word Processing"

8.  This is what my image looked like in WP for the Easter egg in this tutorial...

9.  Make sure your napkin/computer paper is loaded into the rear tray of your printer.  Send your image to print to the rear tray by using your 'Advanced Print Commands'.   (If you need help in creating the napkin to print on, refer to the video linked here..."How to Make Napkin Prints for Decoupage Projects").

For the next part of this tutorial I will demonstrate using this collection of small oval Easter images that I have saved on one page of a word processing document...

You can fit quite a few smaller
images onto one sheet of
napkin/computer paper to print
Notice how all images have been
formatted to a 'soft edge oval'

10.  While in the word processing document with your Easter images downloaded, select 'File' at the top of the screen, then select 'Print' from that menu.  After that, you should see something called 'Printer Properties'.  It should look something like this...

'Print Properties' is an Advanced Print Command

in most WP programs

In the Advanced Print Commands, for the Paper Source select 'Rear Feed' as shown in the picture below, also make sure to select 'Best' for Quality Settings, then hit 'OK':

11.  Use a foam paint brush to give your egg a base coat of white acrylic paint.  Let it dry.  After it's dry, glue your trimmed image (from the napkin or gift tissue) to the front of your egg using clear white Elmer's glue or Mod Podge.  You will not need a lot of glue.  Whatever glue you use though, smooth it out with a paint brush before applying your image (a little dab'll do ya! 😉).

It should look like this after applying it to the front of your egg...

12.  Print out a watercolor frame using the same method that you used to find and print your Easter image from Pinterest.  Print the flower frame onto gift tissue or a napkin and apply it to the outer edges of the Easter image on the front of the egg.

Mine looked like this before I printed it onto a napkin...

Cut out the flower frame images from the napkin and apply them to the outer edge of the main image.

13.  Add glitter to some of the flowers on your egg.  Just squeeze out a little clear Elmer's glue on some of the images and sprinkle the glitter on!  After it is dried completely, apply some pastel paint to the back of the egg to add extra Easter color.

And after the pastel paint is thoroughly dry, apply a few coats of Mod Podge over the whole egg to seal it up and give it some extra shine and the finishing touch!

SUPPLIES:  (As throughout this blog post, clicking on the link underneath a picture or the underlined link will take you to the Amazon page where you can learn more about the product; if you purchase through this link I will earn a small commission at no cost to you)

(if you don't want to make your own prints...)

Easter Decoupage Paper

(my favorite to work with are the wooden eggs...)

Wooden Easter Eggs

Paper Mache Eggs

You will want to give a base coat of white acrylic paint to any egg that you are going

 to decoupage because when you apply the napkin or gift tissue, it will look best against 

a very light background....

White Acrylic Paint

Foam Paint Brushes

Pastel Paint Colors
(great for painting the backside of the egg!)

Enjoy your Easter egg!

Tissue Decoupage - "Skating Around the Christmas Tree" Ornament

It's Christmas in August!!!   It's never too early to start making Christmas ornaments...

Hello, and thank you so much for your interest in this decoupage Christmas ornament tutorial.  I’m so happy that you’re here!

In this tutorial, we will be making a Christmas ornament just like the one pictured above using a print I made on a tissue.  What? A tissue??

 

Yes, a tissue!!!  I know it might sound silly, but regular tissue box tissues can be printed on very easily using my method.  You can also print on paper towels and peel them into two separate layers afterwards to get an extra thin pliable picture to decoupage with.

 

Thin paper like tracing paper or gift tissue wrap, or for this particular project, a tissue, is best for decoupage because it’s very pliable and soft and will mold to the ornament edges especially well if you are creating a glass ball or bauble with rounded sides..

 

Although this is a very simple project, it does not mean these ornaments aren’t valuable.  In fact, the opposite is true. 

 

You will be able to create gorgeous decoupage ornaments to give away as gifts or to enjoy for your own home, or to perhaps even sell in a handmade shop like Etsy.

 

Using the method I will outline here for you, the sky is the limit as to what you can create using free pictures you find on the Internet.  How exciting is that??  I will show you how step by step.

 

Each of the STEPS below will include a video that will be outlined with written directions from the video demonstration above the video.  The video will be at the end of each STEP and is included to give you a visual instruction in real time so you can see how the ornament was created.

 

Here is a screenshot of some of the pictures you can download onto your computer and print out onto a tissue box tissue, gift wrap tissue, or plain white napkin to create gorgeous Christmas ornaments.

Search results for "winter Christmas snow scenes" on Pinterest.
Any of these pictures can be printed onto a napkin or tissue
for use in decoupage.

So as you can see there are many choices.  The only problem you may or may not have at this point is deciding which image to choose for your ornament, LOL!

Fig. #1:  When you decide on a picture, left click on it to make it bigger. 
After that, right click on the picture and select 'Copy image'
from the menu as shown above.  Go over to your open WP document.
In the WP document select 'Paste' or Ctrl+V (Refer to Fig. #3 below)

Fig. #2:  After you left click over the picture you choose,
it will become bigger at the top of the Pinterest page as
pictured. Always use the largest picture you can get.

Fig. #3:  This is a picture of another ornament I made using a
 different image but the process is the same.  After selecting 'Copy image'
from the menu, paste the image into a word processing document.
This is what it will look like in the word processing document. 
Use the 'Format picture' commands at the top of the page
to resize and change your picture before printing.

I wanted to explain this before the directions below just to give you a general idea of how you will be able to get similar pictures (to the ones in the picture above) from your computer in STEP 2 below so please read on...

 

___________________________________________________________

  

Before you start anything, paint your glass ornament base with white acrylic paint and let it dry thoroughly.  Set it aside until you are ready to add your printed picture with Mod Podge.  You can also use white chalk paint.  Chalk paint adheres easily to glass or plastic so it's up to you.  If you decide on acrylic you many have to use two coats.

Chalk paint works great on glass and plastic

Sidenote:  This tutorial may seem to jump back and forth between STEPS.  You may just want to watch the videos in each step first and then go back and read the written directions before you start your first decoupage ornament project.

 

 

DIRECTIONS:

 

 STEP 1:

   "How to Print an Inkjet Image on a Tissue for Decoupaging"

 

1.  Secure a tissue to a piece of regular computer paper with scotch tape.  (Refer to video in STEP 1 below in this section for video instruction).

 

2.  Once the tissue is completely secured to the computer paper with scotch tape, place the computer paper into the rear tray of your inkjet printer.

 

3.  After you find the image you want to use for your ornament, you will copy and paste it into a WP document and resize it (refer to STEP 2 directions and video).   At that point, you will send your image to print to the rear tray (this will be explained there).

Decoupaged Christmas Ornament - PART 1 

"How to Print an Inkjet Image on a Napkin for Decoupaging"

 

STEP 2:

"How to Find an Image, Resize and Download it to Print"

 

1.   Go to Pinterest (or your favorite search engine).  I like Pinterest to find images for many reasons.  One reason is because you can type anything into the search bar on that site and you will get an abundance of results.

The other reason I like Pinterest for this is because once you click on an image you like, it will show “More Like This” below the image you initially selected and you will see pictures pop up that are very similar to the one you chose.  You will see so many, you might not know which one to choose!

In the picture below this paragraph, please notice the smaller pictures underneath the larger picture, and also notice the words 'More like this' above the smaller pictures.  This happens automatically in Pinterest... (so cool!)

Another picture of a 'winter Christmas scene' after
left clicking over the smaller version in the Search Results
Oh so many choices!

 

2.  Using this ornament as an example, in the search bar on Pinterest, type in “winter Christmas scenes”.  You can type in anything that you would like in a more specific sense, such as “winter ice skating snow scenes”, it’s really up to you.  The sky is the limit on Pinterest.

 

3.  Once you get the results after you hit ‘Enter’, scan the page and choose a picture you would like to make an ornament from.

 

4.  Hover over the picture you have chosen with your mouse.  ‘Right click’ over the picture.  Choose ‘Copy Image’ from the menu, it should look like this...

 

5.  In another window, open up a word processing document.  You may want to have it already open before this.

 

6.  Once in the word processing document, ‘Right click’ with your mouse again.  Select ‘Paste’ (or Ctrl+V) from the menu.  Your picture will appear in the WP document.  This is where you are going to resize your picture and print it out.

 

7.  ‘Right click’ once again as you hover over the picture in the WP document.  This is the first step in resizing your picture.  You should see a black outline appear around the picture.  With your mouse, grab the small circle on one of the corners and move your mouse up and down to get the proper size for whatever ornament you are going to be making (wood ornaments work beautifully for decoupage too).

Here is a screenshot of the picture I used for this ornament when it was in my WP document before I resized it and printed it out.  Notice the black line around the picture and the dots you can use to resize it with your mouse...

 

8.   If you are not sure how to do this or how big to make your picture, hold your ornament up to the screen next to the picture in the WP doc.  The picture on the screen is true to size so this will give you a good idea of how big to make your print.

 

(Insert picture of ornament held to screen)

 

9.  Referring to STEP 1 (above), you should have secured a piece of thin paper (tissue or gift tissue or napkin) to a regular piece of computer paper.  This should have been set aside until now.  Place that paper in the rear tray of your printer and using your print commands from your WP document that has your image, send the picture to print to the rear tray.

 

You should now have a beautiful picture printed on a very thin piece of paper!

Decoupaged Christmas Ornament - PART 2 

"How to Find an Image, Resize and Download it to Print"

\

STEP 3:

"Trimming the Image and Applying the Mod Podge"

 

1.   Now that you have printed out your image onto the tissue (or whatever thin paper you used), take a small paint brush and dip it into your water jar and make a circle of water around the outside edges of your image with the wet brush.

 

2.  Pull the excess tissue away from the image.  The edges should be uneven and that’s okay.  Set the image aside and move over to your ornament.

 

3.  Now, with a different paint brush, dip it into your Mod Podge Matte Gel Medium (MPM) and coat the surface of your ornament (over the dried white paint base).  While the MPM is still wet, place your image (ink side up) on top of it.  Pat it gently with your fingers into the MPM.  Gently smooth out any bubbles with your fingertips so that it lays flat onto the surface of your ornament.

 

4.  Let the image dry overnight.  Once it is secure and dried, trim the edges of the picture that are hanging over the sides of the ornament.

 

5.  Take Mod Podge Gloss (MPG) and paint at least two or three coats over the image surface.  The MPG will look white upon application, but don’t worry because it will dry clear.

Decoupaged Christmas Ornament - PART 3 

"Trimming the Image and Applying Mod Podge"

 

 

Mod Podge Tool Kits

 

 

 

STEP 4:

"The Finishing Touches"

1.   After the image dries overnight, use Mod Podge to go over the surface of the image to seal it up and keep the tissue from tearing.  This will be your first coat.  It does not have to be the glossy Mod Podge, either matte or glossy will work for this step.

 

2.   After the surface of the ornament dries, take your paint brush and using either white glue or Mod Podge or even clear Elmer’s glue coat the sides of your ornament around the image.  Sprinkle glitter over it while it’s wet and let it dry.

 

3.  After the glitter dries, use Mod Podge to go over the surface of your image at least three times, letting it dry in between coats.  Make the final coat with Mod Podge Gloss Lustre because this is the coat that you want to shine.

 

4.  You may want to use Mod Podge once again to seal the glitter on the edges and keep them from falling off.  Use the glossy version of Mod Podge and once again don’t worry if the Mod Podge looks white upon application because it will dry clear.

 

5.  Attach a bow to the top of your ornament if you like.

Decoupaged Christmas Ornament - PART 4

"The Finishing Touches, Glitter and All That Fun Stuff"

 

SUPPLIES (You may need):

Glass Christmas Ornaments to Paint https://amzn.to/34rAdc0

Mod Podge Matte Gel Medium https://amzn.to/2Xh1idD

Mod Podge Gloss Lustre Medium https://amzn.to/3npb6NB

Glitter for Outside Edges of Ornament https://amzn.to/3mrAl1u

White Acrylic Paint https://amzn.to/3b4d00G

Paintbrushes https://amzn.to/3d6uScL

Inkjet Printer https://amzn.to/391bXx7

Arteza Paint Pens https://amzn.to/3cqpEYt

Sharpie Permanent Markers https://amzn.to/3eStQ4a

Sharpie Ultra Fine Black Marker (for outlines) https://amzn.to/2DOIkot

Deco Art White Paint Pen https://amzn.to/2DzQX6D

Paint Markers https://amzn.to/2XGYzep

White Chalk Paint https://amzn.to/3752uq0

Computer Paper https://amzn.to/3ir89L1

Scotch Tape Refills https://amzn.to/3n2j7bp

White Gift Tissue https://amzn.to/3mZSV0T

Tracing Paper https://amzn.to/3pypaWL

Tissue Box  https://amzn.to/3mVigsU

Large Clear Sparkly Glitter https://amzn.to/3hH9my

Tiffany Stained Glass Gift Tissue https://amzn.to/38UnErg

Tulip 3-Dimensional Metallic Paint https://amzn.to/3s3aj8V

 

See most of my PAINTED ROCK ART here:

https://www.pinterest.com/nancygirlrocks/hand-painted-rocks-by-nancymaggielee/

Learn How to Hand-Paint Flower & Fairy Garden Rocks

https://feltmagnet.com/painting/hand-painted-rocks

Looking for a fun gift for someone in your life? Check out my Zazzle store... https://www.zazzle.com/store/maggieleeflowers/products

I have t-shirts, coffee mugs, Christmas ornaments, phone cases, office accessories, just to name a few!

 

Here are some links to my ROCK PAINTING websites, I hope you will visit

Crafty Girls Rock https://www.craftygirlsrock.net

Hand-Painted Flower & Fairy Rocks https://handpaintedflowerandfairyrocks.blogspot.com/

Hand-Painted Rocks https://handpaintedrocks.craftygirlsrock.net/

Painting Rocks! https://rockpaintingrocks.craftygirlsrock.net/

 

As always, if you have any questions or comments, please leave them in the 'COMMENTS' section below a video that you have watched or on this blog post, and I will get back to you as soon as possible. I will check the comments on a regular basis

I hope you enjoyed this craft tutorial, please like and subscribe to my YouTube channel for more crafting videos!  Until then, remember to...

Be creative, and be happy!