Decorative Techniques

Decorative techniques are ways to embellish paper or a finished object: stamping, embossing, scrapbooking, decoupage, gilding, wax sealing or candle decorating. Here you'll find stamps and ink pads, Sizzix die-cutting machines with dies, metal leaf, seal stamps, beads, candle pens and wooden boxes ready to decorate. Brands include Kreul, Aladine, Sizzix, Heyda and Knorr Prandell. Choose your technique according to what you want to decorate, because paper, wood and wax call for different tools.

Which decorative techniques suit each material?

Each technique works on a different surface, so first decide what you'll be decorating and what result you're aiming for.

How does the Sizzix Big Shot die-cutting machine work?

Sizzix Big Shot is a manual die-cutting and embossing machine used for Scrapbooking and card making. Place your paper or card together with the die between the cutting pads and turn the handle to feed them through the machine: a metal die cuts out the shape, while an embossing folder presses a raised design into it. The standard Big Shot has a 6-inch (15.24 cm) wide opening, while Big Shot Plus handles A4 sheets. Both machines accept Thinlits, Framelits and Bigz dies as well as embossing folders, so you can build up your equipment gradually.

Metal leaf, spray or photo transfer: how can you decorate wood and ornaments?

Gilding is a technique borrowed from restoration that you can also try at home: apply a base adhesive to a clean surface, lay a thin sheet of metal leaf over it and seal it with varnish once dry. The Kreul Golden Elegance set contains leaf, adhesive, varnish and brushes, making it suitable for your first picture frames or wooden furniture parts. For a quick golden sheen over a larger area, apply Kreul Leaf Metal Effect Spray in several thin coats. You'll find leaf in different shades in the Gold-Plating category.

Decoupage involves gluing paper motifs, such as those from napkins, onto an object's surface and varnishing them. Photo transfer works differently: Kreul Foto Transfer Potch transfers a laser-printed image onto wood, canvas, ceramics, metal, glass, porcelain, candles and even fabric intended for hand washing, and is water-resistant once dry. Tools and materials for both techniques are in the Decoupage category.

Wax sealing or candle decorating?

For wax sealing, you need a seal stamp and sealing wax. Aladine offers seal stamps with initials covering the whole alphabet, motifs such as a swallow or the tree of life, and wording such as Save the Date, along with wax sticks, wax granules and a low-temperature wax gun. Use a wax seal to close a wedding announcement, an invitation or a Christmas envelope.

You can decorate candles without melting wax: Kreul Candle Pen pens draw directly onto a finished candle and come in sets of six colours. If you want to make a candle from scratch, browse the Candle Making category for melting pots, gel, soy wax and wicks.