Decoupage a Tabletop

Create an instant antique with this decoupage-under-glass technique.

For our project, we copied pages from an old book. (Any book more than 75 years old makes a good source for material because the copyright has expired.) But consider other sources as well: old family photographs, children's artwork, and special letters.

Cost: 30-inch-diameter glass tabletop, about $20

Time: About a day

Skill Level: Beginner

• Glass table round
• Items to photocopy
• Acrylic paints
• PVA adhesive (available at art supply stores)
• White spray paint
• Polyurethane
• Grease pencil
• Crafts knife
• Paintbrush
• Access to a photocopier

1. Make photocopies. Enlarge and reduce to vary the size.

2. Plan the layout. Cut and position the photocopies on a work surface. Play around with the shapes until you're happy with the layout. Then, lay your glass table round on top of the layout. Using a grease pencil, sketch the location of each piece on the front of the glass.

3. Add color. Tint the trimmed black-and-white photocopies as desired with a wash of water-thinned acrylic paint. Experiment with combinations of colors and the opacity of the wash. Let dry. Or, consider using color photocopies.

4. Position and secure. Glue photocopies in place on the underside of the glass using a PVA adhesive. Use your grease pencil marks as placement guides. Brush glue on the front of the photocopies, place on glass, and secure by rubbing with a smooth, round object such as a spoon. Allow the outer edges of the photocopies to extend over the edge of the glass; you'll trim the excess later. Complete the tabletop, then let glue dry.

5. Trim. After all photocopies are in place, turn glass over. Trim excess pieces of photocopies along the glass edge using a crafts knife.

6. Finish coats. Secure masking tape to the edge of the glass table. Spray the back of the glass with white spray paint. Let dry. Brush on a coat of polyurethane. Remove masking tape. Let dry for several days before using.