Altered Art Luggage

Materials:

luggage to alter
masking tape
StazOn ink pads
tissue paper
decorative papers
PPA or gel glue
paint brush or other applicator
sandpaper
Golden glazes
polyurethane varnish
E-6000
rubber stamps

1. Apply masking tape to any bands, hinges, closures or other areas that you want to contrast with decoupaged areas (figures A and B).

2. Use StazOn ink to stamp words or images onto tissue paper and allow to dry completely (figure C).

3. Apply a thin coat of glue (PPA or gel medium) to an area no larger than 4 square inches. Begin laying images on top of glue, smoothing from center of image to edges with your fingers (figure D). Continue to adhere collage elements, overlapping images and interspersing with stamped tissue paper until the entire case is covered (figure E).

4. Glue down any loose edges and allow to dry completely. Make design adjustments, if needed, by adding additional images. You may also lightly sand any rough edges for a more vintage, aged look. Allow to dry.

5. Working from light to dark, begin using the Golden glazes to blend and soften edges where images meet (figure F). Allow to dry.

6. Remove tape from masked areas and paint or stain bands and metal pieces. Remember that each piece will be different. The bands on the example were painted with Lumiere Pearl Blue to cover the original Williamsburg blue (figure G).

7. Apply several coats of polyurethane varnish, allowing to dry between each coat.

8. Add three-dimensional elements such as charms, game pieces, bottle caps, etc. using E-6000 glue (figure H).

9. Attach a decorated tag with your name, address and phone number to the handle.