These colorful coasters bring
life to your table tops and
protect it from water rings.

Bright Stuff

• Unfinished wooden dinnerware such as trays, charger plates, and coasters
• White opaque primer/sealer
• Assorted paintbrushes, including disposable foam
• Very fine-grit sandpaper and #0000 steel wool
• Tack cloth
• Acrylic paints in the desired colors including black and white
• Decoupage paper
• Decoupage medium
• Gold foil kit
• Gloss varnish

1. Apply a thin, even coat of white opaque primer on all surfaces of each unfinished wooden piece. When the primer is dry, sand lightly until smooth; wipe with a tack cloth.

 

A square wooden plate takes on
a hand-painted look when
festive papers are decoupaged
to the painted surface.

2. Apply additional coats of primer as needed to achieve a smooth white surface; sand and wipe with a tack cloth after each coat dries. 3. Paint each wooden piece the chosen acrylic color. If desired, mix white with the colored paint to lighten the color. For a variegated surface, randomly apply a second coat of paint when the first coat is dry. Use a foam brush and black to paint the edges of the plates and coasters and to paint the edge and bottom of the candy tray. Set the painted pieces aside to dry. For pieces with defined rims or raised portions, paint part of the dinnerware with a contrasting color so it forms a frame for the decoupage.

4. For ease in cutting and application, seal both sides of the paper image with a thin layer of decoupage medium; let dry. Use a sharp scissors to carefully cut around the image to be decoupaged. Decide on the location of the image on the painted surface. Remove the image from the surface and apply a liberal coat of decoupage medium to the back of the image. Press the image down in position on the painted surface. Working from the center out to the edges, use your fingers or a brush to smooth out any bubbles or wrinkles in the image. Wipe away any excess glue that may have squeezed out around the image. Apply a coat of decoupage medium over the entire surface to seal. Let the finish dry completely. 5. To add foil accents, squeeze or brush bond onto surface, let bond cure, and press on foil, following the manufacturer's instructions.

 

Who would guess the source of the
patterns is decoupage paper?

6. Apply several coats of gloss varnish to achieve a thick, protective surface, letting it dry between coats. Allow to dry thoroughly and then sand the varnished surface with very fine sandpaper until completely smooth; wipe with a tack cloth. Remove all the shiny patches by lightly rubbing with 0000 steel wool; wipe with a tack cloth. Apply a final coat of varnish. Decoupage dinnerware is meant to be used for decorative purposes only. For serving most food, place a clear glass plate over the decorative plate or charger. Candies and other dry foods can be served on the plates. To clean the dinnerware, wipe it with a damp cloth and dry it immediately.