If you’re wondering what surfaces you can apply Finnabair Fiber Decoupage Paper to, let me give you the answer right away. You really don’t need to worry about the base material. For instance, I created my project using a paper box for chocolate, and I have to tell you that applying this paper completely transformed it.
It features a warm, aged color palette with a vintage touch and full of texture. Paper with a delicate, antique-style print serves as the background for the entire composition. Layered over it are HDF elements, metal accents, Prima paper flowers, and small details that add depth to the piece.
The focal point of the composition is a dragonfly created using a Finnabair mould. You can find this and other moulds at the Mixed Media Place shop, of course. Its metallic, distressed finish harmonizes beautifully with shades of brown, copper, and muted gold.
It is precisely these details that give the box the look of an object discovered in an old workshop.
Have a nice day,
Kasia Salmanowicz
Finnabair products used - all the images linked to the Mixed Media Place online store:
Today I’m sharing an aged industrial-style sign filled with mechanical layers, copper, patina, and grungy details.
The image from the Decoupage Fiber Paper reminded me of an old chemical factory sign. I decided to reinterpret that industrial story through creative alchemy: somewhere between the rust, the layers, and the transformation, she found herself.
I covered the cork area with Decoupage Fiber Paper, then mounted the smaller Missouri Chemical Works sign onto cardboard painted with white gesso to keep the image clean and bright. Although the Soft Matte Gel already protected the paper, I added Clear Gesso to create a more porous surface for the following layers.
I also built a slightly raised frame around the small sign using strips of cardboard covered with Black Gesso and painted with metallic wax. This simple detail added depth and made the sign feel more realistic.
I also layered different mechanical elements beneath the sign to support the focal point and add dimension. Because they had mixed gold, silver, and copper finishes, I first unified them with White Gesso. My original plan was a soft, powdery finish in muted brown tones, but the project soon moved in another direction.
I began with a copper base and layered Blue and Green Patina Effect Pastes over it. At first, I covered too much of the copper, causing the mechanical elements to disappear into the dark background. The solution was to bring back more copper and apply the patina only in selected areas. This created stronger contrast and a more convincing aged-metal effect.
The finish finally came together with Umber, Deep Turquoise, and Carmine Liquid Acrylics. Their translucent color added depth, grime, and variation while allowing the copper and textured patina to remain visible underneath.
I finished the piece with Rich Copper Metallique Wax, tiny brads that mimic old nails, cabochons, and layers of colored splatters. A few tiny white splatters added just enough light, while the bright ephemera beneath the cabochons helped balance the luminous focal image.
This project did not come from following the original plan perfectly. It came from noticing what was not working, adjusting the contrast, and allowing each layer to guide the next decision.
I hope this project inspires you to experiment with copper and patina, embrace changes along the way, and let your materials reveal an unexpected story.
Happy creating! 💙
Priss
Finnabair products used - all the images linked to the Mixed Media Place online store:
this project is designed for those who enjoy creating pieces rich in detail and texture, featuring subtle stories hidden between layers of paper. I created two HDF tags featuring the warm color palette of the "Butterfly Effect" paper collection, accented with steampunk elements from Finn’s ephemera sets.
The base consists of tags covered in paper in muted shades of beige, sepia, and brown. I then added further layers, small cards, labels, lace fragments, and twigs, giving the composition depth and a slightly distressed look.
The focal points of both tags are retro-style die-cut images which you can find, of course, at the Mixed Media Place store. Butterflies, vintage numbers, clock faces, and text elements create an atmosphere of mystery and time travel. It is precisely these small details that make each piece unique and invite the viewer to linger and take a closer look.
You can see how I created this project on Finnabiar’s YouTube channel. I warmly invite you to watch.
Have a nice day,
Kasia Salmanowicz
Finnabair products used - all the images linked to the Mixed Media Place online store:
