DIY Decoupage Mannequin Head Crafts

For some reason I love these mannequin heads! My first head is the newspaper crossword puzzle one I made to model my earrings. It was decoupaged with a matte finish to prevent shine for the photographs.  I get my heads at Sally's Beauty Supply; I have seen them online but they cost quite a bit more. This map head is my latest, made with an old Alberta road map! If you use a map,  the older and more used, the easier it is to decoupage because the paper is "softer" and will mold to the shape of the head. Here is basically how I made mine:

I cut several "leaf" or oval shapes out of the most interesting parts of the map following the roads or geography and working in a north south direction.  Here are Banff and Jasper National Parks, one of my favorite areas! I then dipped the map in water to soften it even more and painted the Mod Podge decoupage glue on the back then placed the paper on the head adding more Mod Podge over the top. Be sure to cover your work space with newspaper and use a sheet of waxed paper also so the head wont stick. When this glue dries it is difficult to get off of counter tops! The nose was a small triangle, the lips a lake.  I find stippling the brush helps with the wrinkles and getting the paper to mold around the  nose, lips and chin; fingers tend to stick and make things messy. I use my fingernails to smooth things also. Sometimes working in sections and letting it dry may help but that isn't always easy to do,  I am usually anxious to get them finished!  I will let the heads dry overnight then smooth any wrinkles with my fingernail before painting a thick coat of gloss.

Using thin paper made especially for decoupage is a lot easier plus you can find cool designs and patterns. I get mine from Ornamentea.com.  Two sheets should be enough unless you are cutting certain elements out of the design then you would need more. Here are my two craft room heads I made using decoupage paper:

Modeling my button earrings!

There is something really addicting about decoupage... and for me, these heads!  I want to try a silver leaf one next... or maybe my version of a phrenologist's head in cobalt blue!  Be sure to check out my mannequin bust made from decoupaged sheet music too!

Do you think I am strange for wanting to make more? Are you addicted to crafting? Please post your comments below,  I would love to see what you have to say!

Click here to tweet: Are you addicted to decoupage? Try a mannequin head! 

Click here to tweet: Here's a super fun decoupage craft project->