Gold Metallic Embellishments Three Ways

Hi Everyone!

For my next trick I thought I would make some metallic embellishments out of these chipboard pieces:

Introduction

This post is called "Metallic Embellishments Three Ways" for a reason!  To make my metallic embellishments I thought I would show you three options on how to make them:
1.  Gold embossing powder
2.  Gold Leaf
3.  Gold metallic paint
I will go through each method one by one and then at the end compare them side by side for shininess. 

Gold Embossing Method

For this method, you will need a gold metallic embossing powder and embossing ink.

Tap each of the pieces directly onto the embossing ink pad.

Shake the embossing powder onto each of the pieces

Once they are all covered in powder, carefully pick them up using tweezers or similar tool, and use a heat gun to melt the embossing powder.

Gold Metallic Paint Method

For this method you will need a gold acrylic paint and some white gesso.

Give each of the pieces a coat of white gesso and set them aside to dry for a few minutes.  Work on one of the other methods meantime.

Give each piece two coats of gold acrylic paint drying in between layers.

Gold Leaf Method

For this method you will need some gold leaf (real or imitation), gold size fluid or you can also use any kind of glue that dries tacky.  Drying tacky is key as the gold leaf needs something to stick to.

Cover each piece with gold size (or tacky glue) and leave to dry tacky.

Carefully take a sheet of gold leaf and lay it on top of each piece and press down with fingers or with a dry brush.

Brush off the excess gold leaf and collect it for later use.

Work slowly and carefully and it will soon be free of the excess leaf, leaving your piece shiny and ready to use.

Conclusion

So we have three sets of embellishments with a gold metallic finish, but which one is shinier?

Three gold metallic words top to bottom - embossing, gold leaf, gold paint

Three gold metallic birdcages left to right - embossing, gold leaf, gold paint

Three gold metallic stars (x 2 designs) left to right - embossing, gold leaf, gold paint

All metallic embellishments for comparison

So there we are, three sets of gold metallic embellishments using three different methods.  These photos were taken at night but I think it is still clear which one is the most shiny - the gold leaf - but all three options have their benefits and uses, and they all have different costs to consider.  If you want super shiny, try gold leaf; if you want texture try heat embossing; and if you want simple and probably cheapest try gold acrylic paint.  If you don't like gold, try silver, copper or other metallic colours. There are endless options to add some metallic to your embellishments and into your projects!

I managed to take more photos in the daylight, what little there is right now, so here's another look at what was produced - embossed, gold leaf, metallic paint.

Which one is your favourite and why?

Hope you enjoyed this post.  Till next time, 

Elle
Empire of the Cat

Ingredients

Ornamental Birdcages Shape Set D69C
Chevron Words 
Deco Stars D88S

Method 1
Gold Rush embossing powder
Embossing ink

Method 2
Gold Leaf (real is pricey, imitation is cheaper)
Gold size (or glue that dries tacky)

Method 3
Sunset Gold metallic paint
White gesso

Voodoo Love-You Put a Spell on Me-A Peek-A-Boo Project

I've always had a bit of a darker side and been mystified by strange things. We have a collection of oddities just a few are featured in these images. From my last post you know that featuring a Ouija Board would be frowned upon with my Baptist Church upbringing.  I am of the firm belief that there is someone for everyone but some may feel they need a little black magic to find their one and only. This is the tongue and cheek inspirations behind this artwork.   

1.  Collect your supplies.

2. Quickly Paint Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Small Rectangle Niche with Lumiere Indigo, Midnight, Halo Violet Gold Paint.

3.  Fill in empty spaces using Neon Pink ink and a paintbrush.

4.   Using just top portion of the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Heart Playing Cards Paint it with Lumiere Metallic Russet Paint and  Pink and Scarlet Nail Polish.

5.  Add detailing with Lumiere Metallic Copper Paint.

6.   Glue to GSLC Rectangle Niche using Weldbond.

7.   Assemble GSLC Rectangle Niche and let dry completely.

    8. Stain GSLC Miniature Ouija Board with TH Distress Stains. I used Scattered Straw, Wild Honey and Rusty Hinge.

9.  To add some patina and age I added some clear embossing powder while stains were still wet and sealed with a heating tool.

10.  Roll up a piece of vintage script and add a scroll to the test tube.

11. Cut out miniature vintage valentines of your choice.  Add age by adding a bit of clear embossing powder and cure with a heating tool.

12. Assemble your masterpiece attaching all pieces with Weldbond.

 

Some Final Thoughts.

I spent my younger years never believing there would be someone for me. I tried for the longest time not to be the "me" who I knew that I was. Growing up in rural Pennsylvania under a strict Baptist tutelage, and going to christian college I hid who I was for many years. Even after college I went through counseling trying to "pray away the gay" and be what was expected. It was only in my thirties that I could finally say I am gay and a christian. I lost friendships over my declaration, I was compared to a child molester, and told God loves the sinner, But HATES the sin. I endured much pain and suffered in silence but have found my one true love. I constantly tell him,"I love our life!" We are polar opposites in many ways, he is organized, neat and tidy, I, a hot mess and totally disorganized. I tend to be more optimistic, he more logical. I'm easily distracted, he fiercely focused. I never watched Science Fiction, he a lover of all things SciFi. I'm a horrible shopper and gift giver, he always finds the best most special gifts and enjoys shopping. I want to be there fast, he enjoys the journey. We both are quiet introverts but have extrovert jobs. Both of us are creative and kind. We treat others as if they matter and were favorites at places we ate, and shopped. We HATE drama and steer clear of it at all cost and say make your choices and and live with the consequences, come what may. I am beyond blessed and thankful for my special valentine.

I like Annie  version of this song:

I Put a Spell on You

Screamin' Jay Hawkins

I put a spell on you because you're mine

You better stop the things that you do

I ain't lying

La la la lying

It can't stand it

You're running 'round

I can't stand it, when put me down

And it's heartache because you're mine

I put a spell on you because you're mine

You better stop the things that you do

I ain't lying

La la la lying

I love you babe,

I love you anyhow

And I don't care if you don't want me

I'm yours right now

I put a spell on you because you're mine

(You're mine)

(You're mine)

Supplies: Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Heart Playing Cards, Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Small Rectangle Niche, Coming Soon-Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Miniature Ouija Board, Lumiere Indigo, Midnight, Metallic Russet, Metallic Copper, and Halo Violet Gold Paint, Paintbrush, Neon Pink Ink, Pink and Scarlet Nail Polish, Weldbond, TH Distress Stains-Scattered Straw, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge, Clear Embossing Power, Heat Tool, Test Tube, Vintage Script, Decorative Vintage Miniature Valentines Cards, Weldbond

I cannot wait to see your interpretation of this project. Share it on the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Craft Group Page on Facebook. I would love to see what new creations you are working on!

 

The Claw

 

Happy Saturday, everyone! Today's project is just something a little goofy. I was noodling around thinking how fun it would be to make a miniature arcade and this project came to me. This is my version of a claw crane game and it was made from a GSL Punch and Judy Theater which is available over at Alpha Stamps.

Here are the pieces laid out. The theater has four walls with two smaller horizontal sections. 

 One of those smaller sections is the surface all the toys will sit on. I painted it white and then used painter's tape to mask off where I wanted the prize collection 'hole' to be and painted that black.

To wall off the toys from the collection hole, I cut wooden craft sticks to size, painted and glued them in place.

When choosing papers for this project, I went for the most colorful I had on hand. I used a bright rainbow paper from BoBunny's Lemonade Stand collection for the exterior of the piece. I glued the paper in place then cut the window sections out with an X-Acto knife.

The claw was made from four bent sections of black wire.

The wires were glued together with E6000. A small piece of shrink tubing holds everything in place.

The claw was securely glued to the ceiling using E6000 again. Those wooden blocks were just used to hold the claw upright while the glue dried. I had a black acrylic disk in my stash and added it to represent the claw mechanism. 

The paper for the back wall is Candy Shoppe from Reminisce. I sorted through my collection of tiny toys to fill the claw machine with and started gluing those in place.

To fill in the empty spots, I glued googly eyes onto colorful pom poms. Who wouldn't want to win a full sized version of these?

I cut the prize receptacle from black cardstock for the front of the machine. The windows were lined with clear vinyl. With everything in place, the piece was assembled with tacky glue.

 

The thumbtack joystick is glued to a section of balsa wood cut to size and painted teal.  

Now that I have my arcade started, it's time to think about adding video game consoles and maybe a skee ball machine!

Thanks for stopping by!
 

GSL Products Used

Punch and Judy Theater

Other Supplies Used

Tacky glue

Acrylic Paint

Wooden craft sticks

Reminisce Candy Shoppe paper

BoBunny Lemonade Stand paper

Cardstock

Clear vinyl

Wire & shrink tubing

Pom Poms & googly eyes

Trinkets