Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1868-06-12
Imitation Of Papier-Mache.

A GOOD imitation of this beautiful but
troublesome work can be produced with
far less trouble and expense than by the
usual rules observed in doing real papier-
mache.
Old fancy tables and chairs, which are
too shabby for the parlor, can be made to
look equal to new articles; and among the
refuse furniture to be found in the corners
of garrets, lumber-rooms and auction-marts
may often be seen fine specimens of an
tique patterns, odd-looking and quaint,
which will answer better for this purpose
than anything which could be made to
order.
To prepare fancy table of this descrip-
ton let the whole be well cleansed, and
freed from grease. Then rub the surface
well with sand-paper, and afterward with
pumice, until all the inequalities are
coat of black paint, and when quite dry
apply another coat of black Japan var
nish.
While these are drying, you can prepare
the flowers, leaves, etc. Get some of the
finest quality of English furniture chintz,
such as has right colored flowers, birds,
ETC., printed upon it. Cut out the designs
very carefully, leaving none of the ground
work visible The punches Of flowers
need not be cut entirely in one piece, but
in detached sprays, as they can be ar
ranged afterward to better advantage in
that way.
When the table is entirely dry, put on
the flowers with thin gum-arabic, distribut-
ing them according to your own ideas of
| beauty. If the top is round or oval, a
wreath around it, with design of birds,
or bouquet in the center, will look well !;
| if square, corner designs will be more
| tasteful
The remainder of the flowers can be ar
| ranged around the stem and feet ofthe table
| in the most satisfactory style, and when
| the flowers are all on little gliding can be
| applied few tendrils, moss-work, leaves
or general fancy touches, may be drawn
with the point of camel's-hair pencil,
dipped in gold SIZE
| After the size has remained ON for few
minutes, so as to be half dry, lay sheet of
gold leaf over the whole space SO occupied,
using a gold tip for the purpose. The foil
will readily adhere to the parts where the
size has been applied, and the superfuous
leaf can be removed by rubbing or wiping
| gently with soft rag or channels leather.
If care be observed in doing this, the larger
pieces can be preserved and used for other
places yet to be touched.
If at a loss for patterns in applying this
part of the decorations many good ideas
can be gathered from the Chinese lac
quered articles, walters ETC., that may be
within reach. In some designs, small fish
scales, in imitation of pearl, will have a
very good effect.
| A pretty wreath may be produced by
cutting ivy leaves of various sizes, and
round pieces to represent berries, out of
tinsel or tin-foil the colored tin-foil looks
the best. These may be fastened on to the
table while the Japan varnish is still
sticky, and if pressed firmly down will adj
here very closely.
Arrange them so as to form wreath.
and after the table is entirely dry trace a
stem and tendrils with oil paints, using
different shades of green, with a little
brown for the shading. This will have a
| beautiful effect.
| When the whole design is completed,
whether the chintz flowers or the tinsel
| leaves be used, finish the table with a coat
| of white varnish-either Damar or Grecian
will answer.
Vases of earthenware, stone jars, and
| also turned wood vases, plates, etc, can be
ornamented in this manner, and although
the fine polish and artistic finish of the
| real papier-mache and pearl work may be
wanting, still the general effect will be the
same, and will fully repay the time and
trouble expended Harpers' Bdzdr.