Vid #70: How to Apply Already Crackled Strips of Metal Leaf To a Polymer Clay Base Bead:
Gold Leaf is a product used by polymer clay artists to create stunning effects on all kinds of beads and jewelry pieces. It comes in ultra thin flat sheets and can be applied directly to the clay. Here are 5 tips and techniques to keep in mind when using metallic leafs and foil products:
1) Gold leaf and imitation metal leaf crackles when stretched. To get a cool crackled sheet of clay, add leafing to a thick sheet of polymer clay and ‘stretch’ it by running it through your pasta machine at a thinner setting.
2) To get finer crackles, go even thinner with your pasta machine settings.
3) Cut thin strips of the crackled sheet and wrap them around round balls of clay to make beads. Re roll the beads to get the strips to meld with the base clay and to remove ridges.
4) Beads with imitation metal leaf or real gold and silver leaf, can not be sanded after baking or you will remove the leaf. Because of that, make sure your polymer clay beads have as few fingerprints and flaws as possible.
5) Always seal your metal leaf or foil bead after baking with a good polymer clay finish like Future Floor Finish or Varathane to keep it from rubbing off or discoloring.
If you would like to know a little more about the differences between gold leaf and foils, this is a great article to read: Gold Leaf Polymer Clay vs Gold Foil
>> Polymer Clay Tutorials <<
The full version of the “Gold Leaf” preview video shown above, is available for purchase at my Polymer Clay Bead Making Videos Library in the Volume-005 Back Issue Package.
In this “Crackled Gold Leaf Round Bead” video tutorial I demonstrate how to layer pieces of crackled gold leaf polymer clay onto the outside of a round base bead to create a beautiful effect.
Have you ever used metal leafs or foils before, or are they totally new to you? What can I do to help you get started?
Hi Cindy! I realy realy love your videos. I live in Brazil and, sorry, my english is very very bad. I just want to say to you how much I think about you, your profissional polymer clay art. I loved it. I know you are a very very good person spiritually and multiplies knowledge. We need people like you in the world. Kisses. God bless you. PS: Forgive me for not knowing English writing. ~Lilana
Thank You Lilana so much for your really sweet words! You made my heart feel good today.
Your English is fantastic and it is very fun to be able to talk with you. Someday I would love to come to Brazil. Both my sister and my husband’s sister have been there and they have told me that the people are very warm and friendly. If everyone in Brazil is like you, it must be true!
If you have any questions you can ask me anytime. Thanks again for your comments.
Beautiful! Thank you..I’m getting very inspired!
Cindy E.
You’re welcome Cindy E! It is a fun technique to try!
Hello Cindy,
I am very happy happy to meet you, I am Brazilian and here in my country people do not teach the techniques of grace everything is paid, I do not understand English … rsrsrs … but with the help of friends I hope to make the most of her teachings . I am also new in this art’m starting now and I’m very delighted.
A big hug and thank you for its simplicity.
Arly Cristina
Recife – PE – Brasil
Hi Arly – It is so wonderful to have you as part of the community. As you probably saw from Lilani’s comment just above, there are others from Brazil here as well. Also, I just did a feature spotlight article about Monica Daris and her fabulous Brazilian lentil beads. Click on the link by my name to have a look.
I’ve heard of the term “gold leaf” and I’ve heard that it’s used to give your clay a metallic look. How could I achieve this effect with gold leaf? I’ve read your article on gold leaf but the project/article shows cracked gold leaf. I’m wondering if you could explain a little bit on gold leaf. Thank you. :)
Sarah from The Philippines
@Sarah Young: Hi Sarah, I’m not sure which article you read, there are several of them! Here’s one that explains what gold leaf is.
What are you trying to find out exactly – is there a certain look or project you are trying to make? You mentioned you do not want a crackled gold leaf look. There are other ways to give clay a metallic look besides gold leaf & foils, like mica powders (Pearl-Ex or Perfect Pearls,) metallic paints, inks, glitter, and of course the metallic clay colors. This article explains some of the “sparkly” or metallic products: Mica Powder, Craft Glitter, Gold Leaf | Polymer Clay Bling Supplies
It’s probably easier if you tell me what you are wanting to know, then I can help you find it, or find someone to help explain it perhaps. I hope these articles help, but if not, leave another comment! :D
NEW PHOTOS ADDED… that relate to the theme of this page… Adding Crackled Gold Leaf To Round Polymer Clay Beads. Carolyn Fiene beads…
1 month into this . Have a nice pendant I want to save . Can I gold leaf the inner circle edge or outside edge with gold leaf , having already baked the item. Thank you so much. As a beginner I am getting sooooooo much help from your videos. I will be watching every one.
Hi Martha great to hear you are enjoying the videos! Yes you can add Gold Leaf to the edges of your baked pieces. (Don’t use a Gold Leafing Pen though, unless you know 100% that it is compatible with polymer clay. Most are not.) But for the actual metal leaf (real or imitation) you can just add some liquid clay to where you want the leaf, touch the leaf to the surface and bake. You will need to seal the leaf if it is imitation leaf or it will oxidize and maybe even turn green over time. You can add liquid clay, a super thin sheet of translucent or a coating of polyurethane over top. Another simpler option is to use gold acrylic paint or gold alcohol ink. Have fun!