A Girls Night Out with Fern Lambroza at EMPL

Reverse decoupage artist Fern Lambroza hosted a special Girls Night Out craft night at the on Friday night. The special two-part event invites participants to come to the library and learn the craft of reverse decoupage from the artist.

For those unfamiliar, reverse decoupage is the skillful craft of arranging and attaching images beneath a glass surface. Each one of Lambroza’s pieces is a unique creation using materials from Australia, Japan, China and Italy.

“The arrangement for me is the really artistic part,” said Lambroza, a former art teacher.

Lambroza creates works of art in each one of her distinct pieces, ranging from fine art pieces drawing from influences like Van Gogh to colorful flower collages to more masculine designs of Harley Davidson.

“I want it all to blend, like it’s one seamless image all together,” said Lambroza.

Lambroza supplied the class with many different materials like old calendars, old books, magazines and tissue paper.

“You can really use anything you want, but it’s easiest with glossy surfaces,” said Lambroza. “You can even you use gum wrappers and old M&M packs.”

Participants drew upon their own personalities and styles when it came to creating their own pieces.

“I brought Navajo patterns from a gift wrap collection I had,” said Dolores Spagnoli of Uniondale. “I thought I could combine the different patterns to make something that looked very interesting.”

All participants were given a clear glass plate to decorate. While some chose to design creatively patterned plates, others chose to create mementos.

Fran Feiner of East Meadow decorated a plate that included members of her family.

“This is a plate that I’m creating for myself,” said Feiner. “It’s sort of a family portrait, a collage of my grandchildren and the whole family.”

Lambroza says the craft makes a really great gift idea because you can make the craft around any subject and images can be used from anywhere.

“You never look at advertisements or junk mail the same way ever again,” said Lambroza. “I'm actually stealing an idea from one of my students, and that’s to create a piece entirely from coupons to keep in the kitchen.”

Once you learn the technique you can experiment and really create whatever you like according to Lambroza. One of the most challenging pieces she’s created is an ashtray that is collaged completely from cigar wrappers.

After retiring from a 30 year career in art education, Lambroza started her own business called Fine Art Under Glass. Lambroza has participated in various craft fairs throughout the state and creates custom decoupage orders for outside clients. Further information about Fern Lambroza and reverse decoupage can be found at her website: www.fineartunderglass.com.

The second class will be hosted on Feb. 7 at 7:30 p.m. in the EMPL. To register visit the library's website at: www.eastmeadow.info.