Stenciling in Gold/Silver

This is a great activity but takes a little preparation.  The gold leaf can be found in most big craft stores.  It comes in 6" square sheets, about 10 sheets to a package.  You need to plan for no more than 3 pictures to a package.  You also need spray adhesive and cotton balls.

We used a picture of Christ.  If you use one the church publishes my understanding is that you don’t need to get written permission since it is for young women's.  If you use a copyright picture, please get permission from the owner.  Make COLOR transparencies of the picture (Kinko's is about $1 each"). 

1.  lightly spray the BACK side of the transparency

2.  gently put the sheets of gold leaf on the adhesive.  Once it is down do not try to move it.  The gold leaf is very delicate and tears easily.  holes can be easily patched using left over.

3. Use the cotton ball to gently press out all air bubbles.  The gold leaf will swirl, this is what makes the picture pretty.

4.  When you have covered the whole page, lightly spray again and put a piece of plain paper over the gold leaf to protect it.

5.  frame. We did 8x10 pictures and used 11x14 frames.  We used a double matt (with gold metalic and ivory) and the gold frames from Walmart ($5. each).  The pictures turned out beautiful!!!!

These are also beautiful using pictures of the temples and silver leaf. 

It's pretty simple. You photo copy any picture on to projector film. Then you use spray adhesive and cover the back. It usually takes about 4 pieces of the leafing to cover a 8 1/2 by 11 pic. As soon as all the holes are covered you frame the picture. It also looks really cool with the silver leafing.

You print on the transparency first. Then you spray the BACK with spray adhesive, I do this outside. Then you place the sheet of gold leaf on top, spreading with your fingers. It usually takes about 3 sheets. It's ok if there are lines. It adds more character. Hold it up carefully by the edge to the light to make sure you covered all of the transparency. Let dry. You can get the sheets in silver, too.

I've always added one more step to this. I buy gold colored wrapping paper --- cut it to the size of the picture --- then I spray adhesive to the gold side of the wrapping paper and put it over the gold leafing. This serves two purposes. One is, it will fill in any spots that may have been missed when laying the gold leafing and it also gives the gold leafing some protection so you don't have to worry about it coming off.

A lady by the name of Mrs. Chase in Salt lake City sells the transparencies for gold leafing. She includes instructions etc for them. Her number is 801-968-4066 I haven't purchased any for a couple of years but I assume she's still doing it. Give her a call. I'm sure she can send you anything you would like.