Decoupage

Explore the craft of Decoupage! This short blog was written complement Decoupage Heart Kits which I used to make. I no longer make them, however it’s a technique that can done by buying blank decorations and decoupage paper from a craft shop along with some PVA glue.

Watch the video to see the technique being demonstrated.

I first discovered decoupage about 15 years ago when I was drawn to all the brightly coloured paper in a craft shop in Glasgow. I’ve loved decorating boxes and heart shapes and a few years ago, taught decoupage of small picture frames at craft classes in a local community cafe in Glasgow.

People often say “oh, I’m not creative; I won’t be any good at this”, however I believe that everyone has creativity within them; it’s finding a way to let it out and be comfortable with it. As with so many things, making a start is the first step and I’ve found personally and when teaching decoupage that once we get started on the task, we can easily be absorbed by it and be less caught up in worrying about whether it’s good enough and simply enjoy the process.

That “in the zone” feeling is also known as “flow experience”. Mihaly Czikszentmihalyi; proponent of positive psychology and founder of the concept of ‘flow experience’ identified this state of complete immersion in a task that requires one to lose other thoughts thus leading to a state of happiness. This is what led to me finding the name Flow Creativity for all the creative pursuits I enjoy.

Have fun with Decoupage; let me know how you get on. I’d love to see your finished work - you can share them on Instagram using #flowyourcreativity

Warm wishes

Justine

Gourock - Shore to Shop

Here’s the photo story of Heart Decorations I made with shells, seaglass and pottery pieces from the Gourock shore.

Beachcombing - The Portree Haul

One summer a few years ago, we had a family holiday in Portree, Skye; we were so lucky with the weather, and much beach combing ensued!

Staying right on the harbour, even as I stepped out of the car I spotted an interesting piece of rust and lots of bright coloured rope; my curiosity was piqued! 

Morning and night, I came to the shore and found all sorts of interesting pieces; a yellow plastic circle, pottery and sea glass of many colours. The glass was a great find and it’s now become part of my beach hearts collection. 

We were fascinated by a lone, welly boot on the shore that first night, wondering about its story. Each day we saw it washing up in a different place until suddenly on our last day it was gone.....

So here’s a photo of The Portree Haul on the table when we got home.

I love using these pieces in one off mirror houses as well as beach hearts. 

As always if there’s anything you’d like made from what you see here just let me know.

And if you have an old mirror or picture frame that you would like up-cycled then I would love to work with you to design something for your chosen setting.

How it all began

It was New Year and my daughter had friends to stay; miraculously alert after dancing and singing the night away, they were noticing objects around the house that I’ve made: “Did you make these? You could sell them!”.  That got me thinking and a couple of days later at the hairdressers, I swapped Hello magazine for Etsy browsing and several screenshots later I believed there was a market for my stuff. 

Fast forward a couple of months and good friends, Marilyn and Bill Copland were round and commented on the framed photos of seaweed from Iona in 2015; “You must make these available - give other people the opportunity to appreciate this”. Two weeks later, I had a batch of cards printed via Snapfish.

Around that time, I ran evening classes in decoupage and beach crafts at a local community café – big thanks to Kate Cooper for the opportunity.  The name Flow Creativity was borne of knowing that I find my flow in creative activities and seeing how others found a path to relaxation through an evening’s crafting. I decided to go for it. With help from good friend and mentor Mary Bonatti, I got my Etsy Shop set up and thanks to Nadia; all my social media sorted.  Having great encouragement and support from all my family and from many friends has really spurred me on.

View fullsize

View fullsize

I got to work on a range of products and Flow Creativity's first launch was the local Primary School Summer Fair and then at the Byres Road Makers Market. Many more craft fairs were to follow. I loved the experience; talking with people, sharing interests, listening to what they like, learning what works and the amazing buzz when someone makes a purchase. By December I was sold out of crescent moons.

Making Stained Glass

I had a fantastic time learning how to make stained glass at Partickhill Bowling Club Community Hub. This great course was led by Partickhill Art School.

The glass I started off with and the design I created

Painting the glass before it is fired in the kiln
 

Leading up, after some very precise cutting

Took the glass home and put it in the front window right away

Cutting the glass
 

Using a light box to check the result of the firing

Adding putty to secure the glass

I love looking at this every day