Decoupage help?

Celia Cyanide

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So I am relatively new to crafting, and I discovered decoupage because I wanted to make some James Dean shoes.

Here they are: http://celiacyanide.tumblr.com/post/78520483223/this-is-the-first-pair-i-ever-made-i-always

These were fairly easy, because the decoupage was only along the platform and the heel.

I have been doing more of them. Like this Beatles shoes:

http://celiacyanide.tumblr.com/post/78520646022/this-pair-is-probably-my-favorite-it-is-not-for

And these Rolling Stones shoes:

http://celiacyanide.tumblr.com/post/80144056718/rolling-stones-platform-pumps

The problem I have had is that there is a bit of cracking around the widest part of the foot, near the outside edges. I was wondering if anybody had any tips for how I can prevent this from happening? Decoupage on shoes isn't as common as it is on other things, so I haven't seen any blog posts about it. I have been using Mod Podge hardcoat and sealing it back up again after it cracks. As you can tell from the pictures, the cracks are not that obvious, but it would be great if they didn't happen.

I have done some designs that avoid this area, like these Yellow Submarine shoes:

http://celiacyanide.tumblr.com/post/79611830377

But that isn't always possible. Does anyone have any suggestions, or know any good blogs about decoupage and mod podge I could check out? I have tried decoupaging while I have the shoes on, but that is really difficult, and it wouldn't be possible if I am making shoes for someone with a different size.

Thanks in advance!
 

kikazaru

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I don't have any help for you Celia except to say that what you need is a medium that has some "bend" to it and I'm not sure where you can get that. Anything I've decoupaged has been a stationary object - plates and wood; shoes being leather or vinyl, and being worn, will move with the foot, so they will be subject to cracking. Unless you can provide some support from inside the shoe to prevent that, I think that you need a medium that has more "give" than modge podge. The only suggestion I have is to paint the section of the shoe that the decal goes on, the same colour, so that if cracking does occur, it won't be so noticeable. Also if you check out various jewellry sites like "Art Beads" "Bead and Button" etc, they do have leather jewellery projects that may involve finishes that you could possibly use.
 

kikazaru

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I see that there are sites devoted to leather workers and hobbyists including those that paint leather. Some use leather paints made by Angelus I would think that this same company also manufacturers leather varnish or would have some idea what you can use.

Good luck in your search.
 

Aleiarity

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I probably wouldn't use PVA on anything wearable, including shoes. It's never completely waterproof, and easily breaks down.

Contact cement is strong and flexible.



Mod Podge is a type of PVA... and is essentially watered-down white school glue (like Elmer's). I have no idea why people pay so much for those bottles.
 

Celia Cyanide

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Mod Podge is not watered down school glue. It looks like it, but it isn't. If you use watered down school glue on decoupage, the paper will behave the way paper does when it gets wet, and it doesn't go on as smoothly. It doesn't really work as a sealer, but it's good to use as a top coat before the sealer.
 

Orianna2000

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There is a type of decoupage glue for outdoor items, I believe. The article I read had the author using it for shoes, because it was more waterproof. I have no idea if that would solve your cracking issue, though. And I don't recall where I found the article . . . sorry.
 

veinglory

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Modge podge makes an outdoor one. You could also try cutting it a little with something like anti-fraying liquid.
 

Aleiarity

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Here's some decent information about glues (the page is for bookmaking, I think, but it also does talk about sealing for outdoor purposes).

http://www.altered-book.com/glues.html

You might want to try using acrylic medium to seal. One problem with PVA glues is that they're thermoplastic. Even after they dry, they'll still soften in either moisture or high temperatures... and they'll crack when flexed at cold temperatures.

Regular Mod Podge is PVA http://cdn.dickblick.com/msds/DBH_029161006.pdf , but from the MSDS of their "outdoor" glue, it looks like that one might possibly be acrylic based. http://cdn.dickblick.com/msds/DBH_029161008.pdf