Gilding with Duo Adhesive & a Rubber Stamp

The term gilding covers a number of decorative techniques for applying fine metal leafing (usually gold) or powder to solid surfaces such as wood, stone, or metal to give a thin coating of metal. Metal leaf, also called composition leaf or schlagmetal, is a thin foil used for gilding.

There are many ways to apply metal leaf. In general, you need to create a tacky surface that the leafing will adhere to. This is easily done with Duo™ adhesive from USArtQuest and a rubber stamp.

While Duo is wet, it’s white and sticky. When it dries clear, it’s just tacky enough for gilding, powdered mica pigments, foiling or even glitter.  Duo can be applied to rubber stamps, used with a brush, dipped or poured into refillable pens. Use Duo™ on walls, wood, paper, glass, metal, and mica.

To create this gilt frog card, I applied a little Duo adhesive directly on to a small makeup sponge, creating my own “portable Duo pad.” I dabbed the sponge on to the rubber stamp and then stamped the frog image.

When you’re done stamping, be sure to wash the stamp. You don’t want the Duo adhesive to dry on it. I keep a small container of soapy water and a brush on my workstation so I can immediately clean the stamp.  While I clean the stamp, the Duo stamped on the card is drying. The saying goes like this –  When it’s white, it’s not right. When it’s clear, it adheres! So the Duo will stamp on the card milky white and when it’s dry, it will be clear.

Once it’s dry, apply metal leafing. I used GildenGlitz from USArtQuest on the frog. It comes it several colors, including gold, silver, copper, variegated, sunset and autumn splendor. Just lay piles of the leafing on the tacky Duo and then burnish it off with a texture sponge. The result is spectacular!

I finished this card by cutting out the frog and a mat with Spellbinders dies. The mat is gold Mirri Reflective Card. This cardstock comes in 8 colors that have a mirror-like reflective surface on one side (and a matte white finish on the other). I layered green rice paper, the gold mat and the frog on a black card with Great Tape, and the card was complete!

Check out the YouTube video below to see how I used the Duo adhesive with a rubber stamp. And for more great project ideas, visit the USArtQuest blog.

Happy Crafting!     Joe