Introduction: Mother's Day Gold Bouquet of Simply Gilded Blooms

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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!

Treat Mom to festive florals that will shine long past Mother’s Day! These stunning gold-tinged flowers are sure to enchant with Imitation Gold Leaf edges. Please read instructions and note about acrylic paint before starting.

Step 1: What You'll Need

Fabric or plastic flowers

Glass vase to fit long stems or short stems

Small foam brush for applying size

Soft brush for skewing off excess leaf

Cotton gilding gloves

Acrylic paint similar color as flowers (optional)

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

SGW Imitation Gold Leaf – one book

Step 2: Applying Water-Based Gold Size

Note: You may want to use acrylic paint to seal the porous edges of fabric flowers before applying water-based size. Otherwise you will need to double up on your size application - the first layer of size acts to seal the surface, and the second layer will be the tacky layer you gild.

Load your foam brush with Gilding Size and generously brush the petal tips of each flower – you can do as many petals as you wish.

Step 3: Allow Size to Come to Tack

As each flower is sized, you can rest it in a container until it comes to tack. When ready, they will feel dry but sticky.

Step 4: Gilding Over Water-Based Size

When the size is ready, gently press torn pieces of the Imitation Gold Leaf onto the sized areas.

Step 5: Remove Excess Leaf

You can use your cotton gloves or soft brush to get rid of excess leaf. Save the flakes for a future project!

Step 6: Prep Your Vase

Drop three to four Imitation Gold leaves into the bottom of your clean, dry vase.

Step 7: Assemble Your Bouquet!

Arrange your gilded flowers in the vase and get ready to surprise Mom with an elegant, glowing bouquet - it’ll bring sunshine all year long, just like she does!