About

BJV Studio is the work of Barbara Vollmer, and The Art of Gluing is a small joke at the craft’s expense: decoupage takes its name from the French découper, “to cut out” — but cutting is only where it starts.

Each piece begins with paper: floral napkins, vintage prints, seaside scenes. The paper is cut by hand, arranged on tile, wood or glass, and then sealed — coat after coat of varnish, sanded between layers, until the surface turns smooth as glass and the paper seems to have been painted there all along. It is slow work, and that is the point.

The collection wanders where Barbara’s eye wanders, and it turns with the seasons: cottage-garden florals and butterflies in spring, coastal shells and sailboats in summer, holiday tables when the year runs down. This summer brought hurricane lanterns; next season will bring something new. Every piece is made by hand, one at a time, and no two are alike.

Photo of Barbara at the workbench coming soon.