2012 - January 7th - Gilding Flakes

I was first introduced to gilding flakes via using black peel-offs and double sided adhesive sheets. The black peel-off is stuck onto the double sided adhesive sheet and the gilding flakes applied over the top. This caused me a couple of problems:- • The adhesive sheets were not very forgiving if you did not get the peel-off on straight on the first attempt. • If you scratched the finished item, you could not buff out the scratch. • Fingernails when buffing would also permanently mark the gilding flakes and that area would not be as shiny as the rest of the gilded area. Then I realised you could incorporate acetate, as this would help solve some of these problems. The thin craft ordinary acetate is best. I have found that dark coloured peel-offs work best with gilding flakes, however check that the wrong side of the peel-off is a dark colour, as some peel-offs are white on the wrong side. I have found that for matting and layering, I have found copper mirror etc, to be the best.

Double sided peel-offs are another way in which gilding flakes can be attached to a project. I like these are they are more dimensional than double sided adhesive sheets. When cutting shapes with a die from the double sided adhesive sheet, the more intricate shapes are harder to remove from the die and harder to remove the first backing sheet without ripping and destroying the shape you have cut out. I like to apply wide DSST around the edges of a mat and covering with gilding flakes. You have to make sure that the DSST strips butt up against each other, as you don’t want a gap line to show through and ruin the effect. Gilding flakes can also be applied to Magic Motifs, Sticky Sue and other similar types of transfers. However I have found that the pure line art motifs do not work as well (look as good) as the ones that have solid blocks in the image. You can use ordinary clear peel-offs, but as these are usually foiled in gold or silver, you need to be careful with your choice of peel-off and choice of colour of gilding flake.

You can also use PVA white glue to apply gilding flakes to chip-board shapes or as a border. Spread the glue thinly and allow it to dry for a little while before applying the gilding flakes and pressing. When the glue is completely dry, buff with a tissue.