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!

 

Brand new products and I'm so excited . . .

Fasten your seat belts and prepare for a bevy of new products

from

Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts.

Because I mainly create mini books and junk journals, I've been a bit frustrated with the edge dies I have. They never seem tall enough to fit my pages. I end up manipulating edges so that the top and bottom edges of my pages are squared off and not so pretty.

Enter . . . Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts. I asked Gina (owner) and Angela (UK Distributor) if they could design some tracers that were big enough for my book edges and . . . as usual, I ask and they perform their computer magic.

This first set I'm going to show you is called Bracket Edge Tracers (#HC112) and comes with a total of 3 distinct edges. Each edge design has 3 different sizes and comes with pre-drilled holes so that you can store them on the included ring. The Edge Tracer set retails for $7.00 - YES, that's all!

  

9 Tracers for $7 including the ring!

Look:

Perfect for book edges and card makers! See how shiny these are? They don't come like that. They are made of heavy chipboard. But . . . if you give them a light coat of Mod Podge (like I did), they'll be good to wipe off with a damp cloth in case of any ink or pencil marks on them.

So now that you've seen the first set, let me introduce you to the rest . . . 

Art Deco Edge Tracers: 

9 Tracers for $7 including the ring

While Gina is performing her magic tricks on the computer, I'm thinking of some other things that I could use different sizes of . . . envelopes, corner tucks and library card envelopes. 

And that's just what Gina did . . . 

Envelope Tracers (HC114) Retail = $5.50

Each of the 3 sizes have score areas for folding the envelopes.

Library Pocket Tracers (HC115) Retail = $4

Each of the 3 sizes have score areas for folding.

Corner Tuck Tracers (HC116) Retail = $2.30

Each of the 3 sizes have score areas for folding the corner tucks.

Hope you enjoy these as much as I do!

Now I'm off to Mod Podge the rest of my new collection.

Then it's play time!

See you next time with some projects with my newest

Tracers.

Nancy Wethington

Get your Tracers here:

Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts