I've been wanting to try my hand at gilding for quite some time now, but it has always seemed a bit daunting. Then I came across this simple tutorial from Vitamini Handmade, which has me thinking differently.
So what exactly spurred my change of heart? One photo that introduced me to a nifty little kit on the market, the Speedball Metal Leaf Kit. Kits are great because they take the guesswork out of finding the right materials or tools for a project, which can be just as time consuming as the task itself! This kit is perfect for more intricate designs, although I wouldn't choose it if I was going for a gold-leaf chair. But really, who doesn't love a good kit?!
Casey used her kit to spruce up inexpensive white ceramic bowls with confetti dots, but you could use and vary this technique for a multitude of home accessories. As long as you keep in mind that once completed they won't be food or dishwasher safe, the possibilities are endless. Dishes for catchalls or decorative wall hangings, lamp bases, vases, trays, picture frames, votive holders, rocks, even light switch covers. What else can you come up with?
For the easy tutorial, head over to Casey's blog, Vitamini Handmade.
(Images: Vitamini Handmade)
100 DIY Ideas for the 3-Day Weekend
Danielle's Charming, Classic Walk-Up
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
White Enamel Flatwa...
How To Cook Fluffy, Tasty Quinoa
Perfect Summer Cocktail Recipe: Honey Bourbon Lemonade
The article clearly states that the dishes are no longer food safe…
wallflowerpower : haha! why comment on/get riled up about something you're unwilling to inform yourself on? indeed, you clearly didn't read it.
I can't decided if the Warhol statement is serious or not.... either way it's inaccurate.
Andy Warhol died from a botched gall bladder surgery.
wallflowerpower- just because it's a photo of a bowl doesn't mean it's for eating... and you shouldn't believe they're posting something "so dangerous"; it's simply not about painting dishes with metal and then eating out of them. please relax.
Good grief! Some people are ridiculous, don't read, and don't have their facts straight.
This is, without a doubt, one of the best threads I have ever read. R.O.T.F.L. Who knew AT (as the insiders call it) had such awesome commenters. I was so charmed, I registered just to join in. @WALLFLOWERPOWER - you are amazing! You made my day. Thank you SO MUCH for your vigilance on potentially toxic dishware and insight into the late Andy Warhole - who I had never heard of and for some reason the google does not identify. No matter. PLEASE keep up the good work and you are so right not to read anything that might be RECKLESS. Teh Awesome!
Ohforpetessake
I am in AWE of this thread.
Simply amazing. *golf clap*
Now, to comment on the ACTUAL POST, this kit looks wonderful! I have been coveting some gold rimmed agate coasters, but haven't been able to swallow the price. No longer a problem!
Thanks Kimber!
Warhol died in New York City at 6:32 a.m. on February 22, 1987. According to news reports, he had been making good recovery from a routine gallbladder surgery at New York Hospital before dying in his sleep from a sudden post-operative cardiac arrhythmia. Prior to his diagnosis and operation, Warhol delayed having his recurring gallbladder problems checked, as he was afraid to enter hospitals and see doctors. His family sued the hospital for inadequate care, saying that the arrhythmia was caused by improper care and water intoxication AND EATING OUT FROM AN APARTMENT THERAPY GOLD LEAF DEATH TRAP.
Andy Warhol's gallbladder issues were a direct result from his eating off of Mexican dishes <--- little known fact apparently.
^of (sorry I licked a Mexican plate earlier)
Hahahahhahaha this made my night.
i guess i don't see the point in making my food plates unusable. now, a vase or something? yes, gorgeous. but a plate? no. more junk
Glad I stayed up late and gave AT another shot. The thread was fun and the kit looks like fun, too.
First time I've laughed out loud when visiting Apartment Therapy... Hilarious.
I promise I will not eat the dishes.
This is a great kit, I have an old gilt frame that needs some touching up, this would be perfect.
On the topic of food safety, does anyone know of some kind of spray on or paint sealant that can be used on glazed ceramics? I want to use some neat old flea-market dishes, but I'm afraid they have lead/asbestos/barium/ebola on them.
I did a little research, and it doesn't seem that there is a sealant product for ceramics that has been approved by the FDA except for glazes that need to be fired in a kiln. (at least not available in a retail/craft form) HOWEVER, most polyurethane is safe to use once it has dried completely. I guess I'll just buy a lead testing kit.
regarding wallflowerpower, i think it wasn't serious all along.... see http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/new-home-owners-manual-home-maintenance-calendar-176043
YAY for the comments!
Wallflower's having a laugh and so am I reading the uproar here.
AT, Wallflowerpower needs his/her own humor column.
Love this!!! It gives the bowls a chic look, and it's easy to do!
Thanks for this post...