Wax Paper Vignettes - Embellishment or Ephemera - Decoupage Like Technique For Paper Crafts

A staple in the craft room and my love of wax paper led to making these embellishment pieces. This technique can be used for embellishments like charms or other ephemera like postcards and bookmarks, anything where you would like a truly vintage look as well as to add a little protection. They are very sturdy and with another layer or two of package material can be turned in to ornaments.
What you'll need:
Images (mine are both 24 lb. and 20 lb. digitals)
Wax paper
Glue (quite a few will work)
Package material or chip board
Brayer (this technique might work with a brayer only)
Sizzix or other die cut machine
Cutting dies
Tips:
It's hard to demonstrate a project that requires paying attention to how much glue is used as well as drying time to avoid a disaster but a few tips are:
Use a glue you are pretty sure will work with non porous materials such as wax paper.
You want thin layers of glue to avoid making a slick surface, don't make puddles of glue and probably avoid a glue with a lot of water.
Allow the image layer to dry completely before applying the wax paper layer.
Allow the wax paper layer on top to be almost completely dry to ensure adhesion but still avoid sliding when you press it in your machine.
Embellishments will likely curl when completely dry, press under heavy books for a day or two.
You can layer packaging material to create a wood/board like embellishment for ornament making but press only if your machine can handle the bulk and a die cut will be possible, do not force your machine. Add extra layers after your three initial layers if ornaments are your desired project.
Bonus! Failure led to another technique... A technique fail with Elmer's Glue led to another technique that turned out quite beautiful. It also has a super smooth glass like protective finish that might be desirable for covers or other projects. Shown in video.
I’m sure either of these techniques can be applied to numerous projects so I hope they inspire you to try it.
Happy paper crafting!
Blog post:
www.maryferrar...
Shop links:
www.etsy.com/s...
espressopressd...
Free paper sample packs always available and unique free junk journal & graphics resource links.
Website:
www.maryferrar...
Facebook:
/ espresso-press-design-...
/ mary-ferrari-graphic-d...
Follow me on Pinterest, amazing inspiration in Junk Journal, Pretty Little Paper Crafts and Crafted Cards.
Pinterest Junk Journal:
/ junk-journal
Pinterest Pretty Little Paper Crafts:
/ pretty-little-paper-cr...
Pinterest Crafted Cards:
/ crafted-cards
#junkjournalideas

[@carold.9626]

Thanx for sharing a wonderful project !! Cant wait to do !! Im having coffe, sure wish i had one of those dunking sticks !! Lol hope ye have a better day, and chin up !! Great video 🎉❤😂

[@maryferrari-espressopressd7921]

Thank you for watching, hope you enjoy it, they are still intact but I think I am going to do an update in the future and try to come up with a new project. Thanks for the kind words as well.

[@sharlasmith7066]

I knew that you said you were having a difficult time the day of your shooting this video. I’m not sure why but I sure was impressed that you proceeded on anyways! Bravo and great information!! Although I don’t know you, I truly hope that you’re ok. 😊

[@maryferrari-espressopressd7921]

Well thank you for the well wishes. I'd have to watch the video again myself to remember so it must not have been anything of lasting importance.

[@SkimSkimmer]

What a kind thing to say ❤ 👏

[@Purposefulhappiness]

Thank you for waking through the various glues. That was very helpful!

[@maryferrari-espressopressd7921]

Glad you found it helpful, thank you for watching.

[@scgal51]

Very pretty embellishments!❤️

[@maryferrari-espressopressd7921]

Thank you so much.

[@vivianbunch1963]

Fun and beautiful!

[@maryferrari-espressopressd7921]

Thank you

[@terinskiojean]

So very beautiful! Tyfs❤

[@maryferrari-espressopressd7921]

thank you

[@kriskraftsmorewilson9651]

Thank you so much for sharing God bless and please have a amazing day those are so beautiful

[@maryferrari-espressopressd7921]

Thank you for the nice compliment and kind comment.

[@cindyburns7667]

Very pretty

[@maryferrari-espressopressd7921]

thank you

[@DRC4547]

Love this ❤ ty for sharing!

[@maryferrari-espressopressd7921]

thank you for watching

[@chrystallized871]

wow, sooo beautiful! what a great technique you came up with! they have a very special look and feel to them - reminding me of vintage trinkets, boxes for cosmetics and the like. thanks a lot for sharing and for presenting us with such a detailed tutorial!

[@maryferrari-espressopressd7921]

Thank you, I guess necessity really is the mother of invention. That's true, they do remind me of those things as well, it's funny how you forget the old stuff. I was just thinking of the paintings on my Grandma's walls that looked like they had been there for about 200 years.

[@annfarrell4324]

I really like these ideas and am eager to try them!

[@maryferrari-espressopressd7921]

Thank you, it's a little tricky but after a few it is easy.

[@lynnedalrymple]

If you love wax paper - you pull a sheet out ,. Lay a tea towel on your bench or ironing board - then put on napkins or glitter or dried flowers or ephemera then lay a top sheet of wax paper - then lay a tea towel on top and iron up and down with a hot iron. Great to make wrapping paper etc

[@maryferrari-espressopressd7921]

Thanks, going to try that.

[@malenateves]

I love this ! I'd like it if there were instructions or steps in the description. Great idea and lovely finished product.

[@maryferrari-espressopressd7921]

Thank you, I'll see what I can do to update the post, however the main tip is to avoid too much glue or wet glue so the paper doesn't slip and tear as wax paper is slippery anyway similar to acetate. How many layers is dependent upon whether you want a stiffer base.

[@dattdoings7808]

Am busy working to get my studio back together after moving but can’t wait to try this. Your steps were very helpful to me. Thanks for sharing the pluses and wrongs. Beautiful results!

[@maryferrari-espressopressd7921]

Thank you, my pleasure. Best wishes, it's a lot of work, moving things here as well.

[@sandrachanko422]

Thanks for the great tutorial.

[@maryferrari-espressopressd7921]

You are welcome.

[@studio-989]

Wow! Great idea!!😮❤

[@maryferrari-espressopressd7921]

Thank you so much, I appreciate it!

[@studio-989]

@@maryferrari-espressopressd7921 my pleasure! Thank you for sharing your discoveries ❤️

[@melonmahfood2439]

Really pretty, just subscribed!

[@maryferrari-espressopressd7921]

Thank you, appreciate it.

[@DianesDesigns1660]

LOVE these--very informative--I'm doing this!! TYFS

[@maryferrari-espressopressd7921]

Thank you, glad it was helpful.

[@bev.wilson1449]

Hi Mary - these are so beautiful - thanks for the tutorial - so helpful. Look forward to trying these out.

[@maryferrari-espressopressd7921]

Thank you Bev, glad you like it!

[@Elizabeth-he7hx]

Good idea I will try

[@maryferrari-espressopressd7921]

Thank you, I hope it lasts, I still see no sign of separation and I just put one on a card but if it doesn't I will let everyone know and I can't wait to get the time to try it on something else.

[@annettevanderwesthuizen4470]

I ve tried it ! Looks really vintage - ; thanks ! Annette ( South Africa)

[@maryferrari-espressopressd7921]

Glad you tried it, you're welcome.

[@danielerichard3619]

Love it

[@maryferrari-espressopressd7921]

Thank you so much.

[@justlm316]

Cool technique tfs

[@maryferrari-espressopressd7921]

Thank you

[@kwiklip]

These are beautiful and a cool idea. I just saw in the comments something about laminating wax paper. I've never thought of that, but will be looking into it! Thanks for sharing.

[@kwiklip]

I did make a bunch of these but alas, can't post pics here. They turned out pretty though. Thanks again.

[@maryferrari-espressopressd7921]

@@kwiklip I never thought about it myself until I wanted to see if paper would actually stick to wax paper and tried it, glad it went well. I still don't know why Elmer's didn't work though since Elmer's works for glass decoupage.

[@thelmahall2593]

NEW SUBBIE i liked this so much i shared it on facebook :)

[@maryferrari-espressopressd7921]

That's very sweet of you, thank you.

[@novallasuter5265]

So lovely. Thank you. Please don't rush.

[@maryferrari-espressopressd7921]

Thank you

[@msims3926]

If you don't mind the muted look you can iron on Press n Seal. Put a piece of wax paper over it to protect your iron.

[@maryferrari-espressopressd7921]

Thanks for the tip, I don't mind muted. I've been meaning to check Press n Seal out for some time now just to see what it does. I just realized recently it's been almost a year and they are still holding up well. No coming apart etc.

[@msims3926]

Use parchment paper and not wax. I hadn't done this in awhile and realized wax doesn't work. Also, don't iron wax paper over project first. Just plain paper.

[@eugeniagwathney622]

thx for tutorial

[@maryferrari-espressopressd7921]

thank you for watching

[@cathyetter8133]

Might it be possible to use a layer of parchment paper atop your waxed paper and then iron it to your image? No waiting/drying time, no bubbles.... thank you for sharing your techniques and product knowledge! 🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋

[@maryferrari-espressopressd7921]

You're welcome. I'm not sure, the only experience I've had with ironing wax paper is with saving fall leaves.

[@annabellagardner3190]

What a happy accident you had with the results of using Elmers glue. Gorgeous gorgeousness vignettes. May I ask which of the Elmers glue you used ? I’m in Australia and it’s fairly new to our shelves, pretty sure it’s for mostly school kids, as the bottle indicates and for slime lol. Big smiles ❤️👍🏼🦘🙃 Ps. A chemist may solve the glue mystery, or a student pharmacist ?

[@maryferrari-espressopressd7921]

Thank you. I just used regular Elmer's school glue. I'll keep researching. I'm sure one could get the second effect with Elmer's and a brayer only but the wax paper will save the clean up and there will be no brush marks or uneven application.

[@ritaswift8313]

I looked but I’m not seeing the shiny pen you used to do the edges, just found you and will subscribe, Rita from West Virginia !

[@maryferrari-espressopressd7921]

I'm redoing this video as we speak, much easier and faster technique. The pen is oil based metallic. It is DecoColor Premium Chisel Paint Marker, Gold - in Paint Pens & Markers by Marvy Uchida - Model #134343 - on Amazon. You should be able to find the silver as well. Thank you so much for subscribing.

[@l.nadinebrockharris2022]

This is a very interesting process, but do you use the shiny surfaces or the non shiny surfaces on the item you are covering. Instructions are very hard to follow but the project is beautiful thanks for sharing.

[@maryferrari-espressopressd7921]

The designs were just digitals on copy paper so they weren't shiny at all. They are glued on packaging. The most important thing is thin layers of glue and to let each layer dry almost completely to avoid sliding and tearing the paper in your embossing machine due to the pressure. I have since done this with a glue stick as well. Thank you for watching.

[@l.nadinebrockharris2022]

@@maryferrari-espressopressd7921 Ok, but wax paper has two sides which side does you use.

[@maryferrari-espressopressd7921]

Oh, ok, got it, I didn't know that about wax paper so I don't remember paying any particular attention to which side but you can keep it the way it comes off the roll if you prefer.@@l.nadinebrockharris2022

[@jodiecleman1344]

Did you try the Elmers extreme bond glue?

[@maryferrari-espressopressd7921]

No I didn't, just regular school glue.

[@cherriberri7161]

Such gorgeous embellishments! Beautiful work! May I ask what you used on the edges? It looks like silver metallic paint, yet it almost has a foil look. Thank you for sharing💖

[@maryferrari-espressopressd7921]

Thank you so much. The metallic pens are Uchida Of America 350-CSLV DecoColor Premium 3 Way Chisel Point Pen, Silver from Amazon, oil based metallics, gold and silver, one of my favorite easy to use craft items.

[@cherriberri7161]

@@maryferrari-espressopressd7921 thank you my gosh you replied so quick! Thank you again I’ll add these on my craft shopping list! I can’t wait to have the time to experiment and make some of these beautiful embellishments! Have a fabulous day! 💖

[@maryferrari-espressopressd7921]

@@cherriberri7161 I can't wait to try it on some more things either, postcards, bookmarks, ornaments. You are welcome.

[@lindamonopoli2611]

So pretty thank you Mary

[@maryferrari-espressopressd7921]

@@lindamonopoli2611 thank you!

[@bevplewes7153]

I wonder if you can spread it by using a debit card?

[@maryferrari-espressopressd7921]

The glue? Probably. To 'laminate' though you need the pressure of the embossing machine. You can avoid using the packaging as I have done it with just paper and wax paper (2 layers).

[@janetm6229]

hi Mary. Do you face the waxed side of the paper to the image - I don't think you mentioned.

[@maryferrari-espressopressd7921]

Hello, it's regular semi transparent waxed paper so both sides are waxed. It's not deli paper if I am understanding your question correctly.

[@beckymartin1810]

What glue did you use the second time? Thank you

[@maryferrari-espressopressd7921]

1. Lineco 2. Tacky Glue 3. Acrylic Medium 4. Regular Modpodge 5. Matte Modpodge. My pleasure.

[@cjsimplyscraps]

These are absolutely stunning and I like both the wax paper and the Elmer’s glue. You didn’t have any problems cutting through the box backers you used with the thinlets?

[@maryferrari-espressopressd7921]

Thank you, not for this project as the wax paper and digital paper is thinner but with others using card stock I did. Sorry I did not see this question until today.

[@cjsimplyscraps]

@@maryferrari-espressopressd7921 that’s good to know. Thank u and no worries

[@susanmyrick2913]

These are beautiful. Just subscribed. Btw…Do I hear Pittsburgh in your voice? 🤔

[@maryferrari-espressopressd7921]

Thank you, oh my gosh is it that noticeable (my 'Pittsburgh' accent. Not exactly Pittsburgh but half my family including my Dad, yes. Northwest PA. Think 'Deer Hunter', you have a big part of my life in a nutshell.

[@susanmyrick2913]

@@maryferrari-espressopressd7921 takes one to know one😉

[@maryferrari-espressopressd7921]

@@susanmyrick2913 Well happy to be acquainted!

[@jodiecleman1344]

What is the silver on the edges ?

[@maryferrari-espressopressd7921]

Those are Uchida Of America 350-CSLV DecoColor Premium 3 Way Chisel Point Pen, Silver from Amazon, oil based metallics, gold and silver, one of my best buys. Look real, easy to use.

[@VitalSigns777]

Beautiful work. I just have a super difficult time listening to someone who pauses a lot while speaking, as in every 2-7 words, pause. I have a very difficult time staying awake as it is. But thank you for a tutorial on such elegant pieces!

[@maryferrari-espressopressd7921]

Thank you.

[@cmargo10]

I just speed up the video and it's fine. I played this video at 175%

[@u.synlig]

Playing the video at 2X speed smooths that out, quite a bit. The pace is still ‘stuttery’ or choppy, but with less lag.