You don’t need to look further than your own living room to find suitable pieces for this make. The gold leaf flakes look fantastic on so many elements, from glassware to ceramics to wood. Think knick knacks and small furniture items to add serious glam to your home.
Materials for Gold Leaf Project
- Items – vases, dishes, frames, furniture, glassware, ceramics, wood.
- Gold leaf flakes – These are available in packets from most craft stores and cheaper than gold leaf sheets.
- Modge Podge – Don’t have any? Just use all purpose white glue with two parts water mixed together.
- Gloves – These are essential to prevent the oils from your hands making contact with the gold leaf and sticking everywhere but your intended object.
- Soft Bristled Brush – for brushing over gold leaf to adhere to project.
- Paintbrush
Tips for Working with Gold Leaf
Always work with gold leaf indoors – even the breath of a kitten will replicate a destructive cyclone when gold leaf is involved.
I find it easier to coat the area of the object you want covered with modge podge and then layer the gold leaf all over the area before using a soft brush to dust over the top. By doing this, you limit the amount of glue that making contact with your brush. When glue gets on the brush it gets clogged up and makes it difficult to use.
By applying your modge podge in a pattern or shape, you can create a specific pattern or design. You could also use a stencil for the same effect. Simply wait for the modge podge to dry and then brush off the excess with your paintbrush.
A further coat of your modge podge or cheat’s cheap version will help preserve your new home decor piece.
You can opt to cover your whole piece with gold leaf or use as an accent to show the original form of the piece, adding to the look.
Look at you! You’ve upcycled your way to domestic goddess. Pop your newfound treasures onto the mantel and celebrate your latest craft win.
Here’s some other inspiration using gold paint and papers.
Cheers Darlings x