I wonder if anyone here would mind starting me off with some gold
leafing technical info and perhaps tips. I want to do some gold
leaf work on a piece I’m working on at the moment, and so I
searched Orchid’s archives for any mention of gold leaf. There were
no postings directly to do with applying gold leaf.
I only need it to surface certain parts of a tincan eyewear shape.
What I have here in the way of gold leaf is Old World Art brand
‘imitation leafing’, Ontario Canada, I got in the States a few
years ago. Will this do for a one-off exhibition piece?
Hi Brian this is the first time I have replied to a query so hope
I am going about it the right way. I use transfer gold leaf from
Wm ashcroft P.O Box 258 Oakleigh Vic australia Ph 0011-61-o39568
2344.Transfer means that it has a backing paper… wont fly around
when you breathe! as well you can cut shapes from it. use Vipond
gold size, also availablefrom Ashcrofts. they are great people to
deal with.
Felicity Peters
perth west australia
Ps I think we neeed a tutorial for newbies like me what does cc
mean and Bcc?
I only need it to surface certain parts of a tincan eyewear shape.
What I have here in the way of gold leaf is Old World Art brand
'imitation leafing', Ontario Canada, I got in the States a few
years ago. Will this do for a one-off exhibition piece?
Are you talking about the stuff one can buy at their local craft store.
You use a clear glue type ingredient that has to be applied and allowed to
cure for several hours and then you apply the gold leaf atop a somewhat
sticky surface . . . and then apply a sealer? I’ve used this (my description) product,
and haven’t found it to wear very well. I was thinking that the real thing (gold leaf)
would wear better??? I don’t know. . .
Just realised that in an effort to understand the vagaries of computers I
did not answer your q. precisely. Clean surface of metal, apply thin coat
of size using fine brush, allow to become tacky, and apply transfer gold
leaf. If you have an undercolour ie black, some of the black can come
through, if you press the leaf sideways as you apply it. Alsmost like a
crackle effect. YOu will need to carefully apply more size, once the first
layer is dry, if you want a even covering. I also apply about five light
coats of a spay on covering, to protect the leaf and ensure long lasting
capabilities. Ie the piece can then be lighty dustd, wiped etc without the
leaf coming off. I Use the type of matt spray that protects maps, drawings etc. I
make a range of protocol gifts and find that the above works very well. They
havent been returned yet!!! You can also try experimenting with soft crayons,
coloured pencils, permanent graphnic pens etc either under or over the gold leaf.
Good luck Felicity
For what it’s worth, Petersen’s Basic Bodywork and Painting has a
step-by step description for gold leaf application with photos. The book
should be available at your local auto parts store…
I was thinking that the real thing (gold leaf) would wear better???
Thanks. It’s all helping. This exercise may well get me into proper gold
leaf in my work. At this stage I’m using it with a tincan (tinned steel
cannister) exhibition shape that in a way mocks those that go for glitter
on a common base, and the leaf need not be a perfect job - maybe a cracked
and worn surface will do just as well if not better!
I’ve got a few days left till the deadline!
Only one thing to do yet: EVERYTHING
Brian
B r i a n � A d a m J e w e l l e r y E y e w e a r � @Brian_Adam1 ph/fx +64 9 817 6816 NEW ZEALAND
Gold leafing is incredibly easy. Paint on the “size” (available at
art/craft stores) let it dry appropriate length of time, paint on with
brush the leaf. I think you should use real gold leaf. It’s available
from enameling places, I think. Also, good bookstores and the Lark
Catalog carry a book called “Gilding,” (I think). It’s easy to find
info., just not under jewelry categories. If you wanted thicker, more
permanent, you could do Kum Boo. On gold leaf, finish off with additional
layers of sizing.
I use transfer gold leaf from Wm ashcroft P.O Box 258 Oakleigh Vic
australia Ph 0011-61-o39568 2344.Transfer means that it has a backing
paper… wont fly around when you breathe! as well you can cut shapes
from it.
Felicity - do you have an address for these folks ? I’ve not run across
gold leaf that doesn’t fly around when you even look at it, much less
breathe on it and it sounds too good to be true!! (Does anyone know of a
U.S. distributor of something like this ?) Thanks a bunch !!
Hope you don’t mind my butting in. I was investigating silk-screen
suppliers for another project and my local city shop stocked
gold leaf for gilding objects. The clerk said it was genuine gold
leaf (on a paper backing) not the metallized vinyl stuff. I haven’t used
the gold leaf myself.
Hi Laura
re gold leaf. Wm Ashcroft and co P.O. Box 258 Oakleigh Victoria
Australia 3166 FAX oo11-61-039568 3057. Sorry they dont have an email
address. They make both loose leafed( the blow away stuff) as well as
transfer leaf. Ie it has a backing. Great for flat or curved ie bowl
surfaces.Not very good for putting in recesses. They supply a range of
colours. ie Lemon gold, 22k, 23ct. palladium, white gold etc. They take
visa etc. and are very helpful Suggest faxing them. i feel sufe that there
must be someone in the States who has similar product
Hi , Strange question but does anyone no how to apply the gold leaf to
glass or china? Can I use the Real gold leaf or do I need to buy a liquid
and which one? Thanks Chris Spring in June in New England http://www.tace.com/glitters
The gold used on glass or china is a luster glaze that is painted on, or
added in the form of a decal, and then fired in a kiln. Sometimes glass
blowers incorporate gold foil in a piece by rolling a gather of glass over
it and then adding more glass to the outside, so the foil is sandwiched.
You could use gold leaf on china or glass and expect it to last if the
pieces were only for decorative use, and not used and washed everyday. –
Here is the source for everything you ever wanted in gold leaf:
Baggot Leaf Company, NYC (212) 431-3962
You name it they got it.
While studying in Italy i took a course in Wood Restoration, where
among other things I learned traditional gilding techniques. There is a
big difference between traditional and contemporary techniques. The
traditional techs take a lot longer, but the end result is far superior.
If there is interest among the list I will prepare a tech paper and
publish it on the web. The methods I learned are mostly for wood, but are
modifiable for metal.
Eddie
Ed Colbeth Metalsmith, Motorcyclist
Deer Isle, Maine "With a view of the harbor"
207-367-5972
93 K1100RS "Wanderer III"
ICQ# 6247734
Dear ed,
The tech paper sounds like a great idea. I somtimes get wooden items
designed for corporate gifts, and would love to use gold leaf as
highlights. Your address caught my eye. Deer Isle and Haystack and yummy
Maine lobsters are my little pieces of Heaven. If you know Jack and
Harriet say hi and a hug to them from me envious felicity peters here in
rainy west Oz
Wow, did I put my foot in my mouth! Meant to say, “no such thing as too
much knowledge.” Hope I did not offend, and I really would like to learn
what you know about gold leaf.
Hi Eddie…Didn’t know there was a traditional and a contemporary way of
gilding. Now I dont know what I’ve been doing. I for one would certainly
appreciate a tech paper on your techniques. I’m sure others would too.
Looking forward to your paper.
Just today I tried to put gold foil on sterling silver, using an adhesive.
I knew that I should be using gold leaf and not 22K gold foil, but I was
outvoted by the group that I was doing it with. Resulted in total
disaster and the waste of good and expensive gold. I would rally like to
know your technique. @mbm
