Introduction: Gold Leaf Easter / Spring Eggs

About: I have been working with gold leaf and gilders for many years. It's a magical craft going back millenia. I love to introduce both adults and kids to the artistry of gilding with all types of leaf!

As a symbol of birth and renewal, eggs provide a beautiful way to celebrate Spring! Shades of imitation gold, silver and multi-colored flakes and ribbon offer spectacular color to the eggs. We dyed some of our eggs blue and green, and we also used natural white and brown eggs for a naturalistic effect. Note: these gilded eggs are intended for display only, not for eating.

Step 1: What You'll Need

Hard-boiled eggs, dyed or not

Craft/glue brush for applying size

Small foam brush for applying size

Soft brush for skewing off excess leaf

Cotton gilding gloves

Sepp Gilding Workshop (SGW) Water-Based Gilding Size (glue for leaf)

SGW Tamise Flakes in Imitation Gold, Aluminum + Variegated Spring

SGW Tesoro Ribbon Leaf in Aluminum + Variegated Blue

Decorative basket for display

Step 2: Applying Water-Based Gold Size

Load your foam brush with Gilding Size to make a freely brushed stripe of size on eggs. Flick Gilding Size with your craft brush to create specks of size. You can also trail Gilding Size to make abstract shapes of size. These combined patterns create an eye-pleasing array when gilded!

Step 3: Allow Size to Dry

Rest the sized eggs on an egg container or on wax paper. The size will go from milky white to clear. When it’s completely transparent, and sticky but dry, it’s ready to gild.

Step 4: Gilding Over Water-Based Size

Press the ribbon leaf as you would a decal over the sized area. It will make a neat edge even if your size application strayed off the path! Sprinkle Tamise flakes over the speckled eggs.

Step 5: FInish Gilding

Press firmly to ensure the leaf adheres to the size, especially at the edges of stripes.

Step 6: Skewing Off Excess Leaf

You can use your cotton gloves or soft brush to skim away the excess leaf.

Step 7: Your Eggs Are Ready to Set Out As a Festive Centerpiece!

Happy Spring!