| 3D Decoupage comes on many levels. If you are a | | | | would say this is the most important stage, but I |
| beginner, start with an easy design and build up to | | | | would disagree. All 3 impact on the other. If you |
| more challenging projects. It is possible to create | | | | choose an inappropriate design for working on you |
| great results early on. There are 3 key skills to | | | | will get a poor result - no matter how great your |
| master: choosing, cutting and applying. It always | | | | scissor skills. Equally, if you are great with the old |
| saddens me when those who craft look down their | | | | blades but let down at putting it all together, no |
| noses at those who use Sticky Fixers (sticky pads) | | | | matter how accomplished your preparation, your |
| to do Decoupage. They think it marks out the men | | | | assembly will scupper your final result. I am a believer |
| from the boys or the new craft person from the | | | | in all skills working together. Start with the end in |
| Professional. Having taught crafts for over 20 years | | | | mind. It does not matter when you are kicking off in |
| now (and taught Teachers who Teach), I do know | | | | Decoupage if you use sticky pads, but if you have |
| what they mean, but; and it IS a big but, I am a | | | | got great loads of tab visible, you have not mastered |
| believer in starting from where you are at. And when | | | | the basics. No sign of assembly (glue or pad) should |
| you begin, sticky pads are ideal. But let us get down | | | | be visible. It comes down to learning the stages with |
| to basics. Having said that there are 3 key stills, the | | | | patience and practice. If you want it, then you will |
| sticky pads come unto the application stages. First it | | | | get better. So ignore the nay-sayers who may be |
| is vital to get the design bit right. It means : - | | | | ahead of you, because one day you may well |
| Choosing the right weight of design - Cutting it | | | | overtake them. Go after your 3D Decoupage |
| carefully - Separating any paper layers into individual | | | | projects with a passion and you will soon master the |
| parts With that done you move onto cutting. Some | | | | essentials. |