jspencer
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2011
Posts: 929
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Post by jspencer on Apr 22, 2012 22:56:30 GMT -5
I thought about making some wind chimes using some slabs I`d polished and wanted to dress them up somehow. I got this metal leaf kit at Hobby Lobby to experiment with. I used masking tape on the slab faces to cover them so the leaf was just on outer edges. I haven`t made the chimes yet but these are cool just for hanging in a window to catch the sun with. Attachments:
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jspencer
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2011
Posts: 929
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Post by jspencer on Apr 22, 2012 22:57:38 GMT -5
One more. Attachments:
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2012 0:04:35 GMT -5
They look great. What holds it on? Jim
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Post by helens on Apr 23, 2012 0:18:35 GMT -5
That looks neat:).
Do you just burnish the leaf on or is that glued?
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jspencer
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2011
Posts: 929
|
Post by jspencer on Apr 24, 2012 0:14:28 GMT -5
The leaf is held on with a water based contact cement. I taped over the faces of the slabs with masking tape then apply glue witha small artist watercolor brush. (cheap one for throw away) Then after glue is dry to touch the leaf is applied by lightly working it along the surface and using either a brush or foam pad like used for wood staining to lay it down and work into dips and crevices. It is all in a kit at Hobby Lobby for about $10. There is 6 sheets of leaf in the package. I cut this into 1/2" wide strips to apply. It includes everything needed and also comes with a treatment for what they call the antique gold look. This is it pictured. And this stuff is lighter than a feather. Not to be done near a fan or any wind.
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Post by helens on Apr 24, 2012 0:22:23 GMT -5
Yah... I have both pure gold and silver leaf for glass work... that's an interesting thought!! The glue makes sense to provide a uniform surface and grip... hrm! It does look pretty! Btw, there are 2 types of gold or silver (or copper or palladium) sheets. You can get it in leaf (super super thin light and hard to work) or foil. Foil is a LOT thicker than the leaf, and you can handle it with fingers, leaf is so delicate that you have to use tweezers, and wind could blow it away. It LOOKS like you actually used foil and not leaf, because your coating looks fairly thick. Is Hobby Lobby's price cheaper than this (sometimes retail can be cheaper than online:))? : www.arrowsprings.com/html/leaf__foil__wire.htmlInteresting project:).
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Post by talkingstones on Apr 24, 2012 6:26:14 GMT -5
Looks great and a wonderful idea!
Cathy
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jspencer
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2011
Posts: 929
|
Post by jspencer on Apr 25, 2012 23:08:56 GMT -5
This was leaf. It comes with a plastic film on one side and a tissue paper on other side. I used tweezers to apply it in 2-3 inch lengths slightly overlapping them. It will blow away with a breath on it! As you brush it down the excess leaf peels away and sticks to the brush. It can then be applied to any spots you may have missed for touchups. Like I said it was $10 for everything but cheap watercolor brushes or foam pads which are less than a buck. I have done like 6 large slabs and haven`t used a whole sheet yet. A sealer comes with it to make it waterproof and permanent. I did a small geode slice with an amethyst crystal mounted in the hollow and plated it like the ones you find in stores. The outer ring is plated and also the glued seam where the crystal attaches. Gave it to wife for Christmas gift.
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jspencer
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2011
Posts: 929
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Post by jspencer on Apr 25, 2012 23:13:26 GMT -5
I take that back. Use almost 2 sheets total. I`ll take a pic of the kit and post it. They also carry the silver kits.
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Post by christopherl1234 on Apr 25, 2012 23:54:07 GMT -5
That is a really cool idea!!
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Post by helens on Apr 26, 2012 1:06:47 GMT -5
Kewl J!! Look forward to your pix:). That looks like a nifty way to dress up edges:)!
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Post by frane on Apr 26, 2012 16:37:39 GMT -5
they sure look nice! I don't think I have the patients to try that though... Fran
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jspencer
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2011
Posts: 929
|
Post by jspencer on Apr 26, 2012 22:59:24 GMT -5
This is the kit sold at HL. It is not actual gold but a mixture of copper and others ingredients. The pendant I did for wife was real gold and made me nervous as hell not wanting to dare mess it up. This is a lot less expense with close to the same appearance Attachments:
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Post by Toad on Apr 26, 2012 23:08:35 GMT -5
Looks pretty cool!
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Post by helens on Apr 27, 2012 2:35:33 GMT -5
Great idea! Thanks for posting it!
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