Fort Lauderdale News from Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Page 300

6 SL Fort Lauderdale News and Sun-Sentinel, Sunday, October 14, 1979 Wild animals Polly Dages was in high school when she copied a test figure according to a magazine ad's directions for a correspondence art course. Jj II vr-v I' i 1 If t''' 1 theme And that expertise has led to the adventure of boarding a cruise ship several times each year to offer decoupage instruction to passengers. Decoupage is the art of coloring intricate designs with oil pencils, cutting them out and then pasting them onto painted furniture or any other object suitable for decoration. Coats of varnish are applied and the result is a "lasting heirloom." For Polly, almost any item is suitable for decoration. From wastepaper baskets, magazine racks, wall plaques, lamps in every room and a desk in her living room, it's plain to see decoupage is her first art love.

More than a decade ago she and a friend named Dot joined forces and opened a shop called Pollydot on East Commercial Boulevard, where countless women were instructed in decoupage. As one of only 400 members of the National Guild of Decapeurs, Polly is probably the area's leading expert. She describes decoupage as an old art, one which was almost lost when the guilds of Europe disbanded. "During the 18th century, ladies and gentlemen in France spent countless hours coloring and cutting and pasting designs on furniture," she says. But then the war came and the art of decoupage was almost lost.

It was Hiram Manning, Polly's mentor, who she says discovered the art in Switzerland and brought it back to America, fl Waterway East 1 900 East Atlantic Avenue I VomI? I Delray Beach I COSMETICS ACCESSORIES I JjM 1 A large selection of fine and I 1 hard to find fragrances 1 jIlJm I for men and women including I SffJrV fKHa BAL A VERSAILLES SHALIMAR FIRST NORELL JOY YENDI H0 HALSTON COURREGES jffiM WHITE SHOULDERS VSl PATOU 1000 PAVLOVA 3i ARAMIS Gay's Perfumery Royal Palm Plaza ivwl Boca Raton 391-8099 Palm Beach Perfumery ESI 900 East Atlantic Avenue OS r-vX her favorite Today, Polly's Coral Ridge home overflows with her artwork from the early oils and watercolors to pieces of decoupage with which she has made her mark around town. Sunday 1.00 to 3.00 p.m. Expert Polly Dages shows off a favorite wild animal theme. "He settled in Boston and together with his mother taught the art," says Polly. Polly has studied with Hiram Manning five times.

"He's a snob when ft comes to decoupage! He won't consider using any prints other than those of the 18th century," she says. Polly helps arrange the seminars with Manning, who charges $2,000 for a five-day session. Although she sold her shop two years ago husband wanted me Polly continues to teach cruise passengers. "They make souvenirs which are much more meaningful because they are hand made," she says. n't if few creations based her Polly has developed some advanced methods of decoupage and being a former journalist, has done books describing techniques of repousse, moulage and sculptured decoupage.

These are variations of creating three dimension designs and raised figures such as her wild animal collection of wastepaper basket, letter box, and pencil box. Polly likes to create themes and wild animals happen to be tier favorite. "It wasn't long ago that I was in Miami and saw a lady carrying a purse I had designed several years ago," she says. "I felt happy to see that it was still being enjoyed." ,7 i) A focal point of Polly's living room is this charming little decoupage desk. 71 7 1 r' 4 Lmiw 1 wm mm 1 i 11 It Specializing in gemstones of every color.

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