Pots

Great Stuff : Crafts

Materials needed:

Terra-cotta pot
Vegetable scrub brush
Rubber gloves
Red oxide metal primer spray paint
1/2" or 1" natural-bristle brush
Water-based gold size
Paper towels
Talcum powder or cotton gloves
Sheets of Dutch metal leaf
2"soft-bristled brush
Soft cloths or cotton balls
Fine-grade steel wool
Mineral spirits
Amber shellac
Blue Artist’s acrylic tube paint
Small dish

*Gild a flowerpot

Terra-cotta pots can frequently be found at Arc’s Value Village Thrift Stores for very reasonable prices. You may already have some of the materials at home, while others can be found at a hardware store. The Dutch metal leaf and sizing can be found in craft stores such as Michael’s.

1) If the terra-cotta pot has been used previously, soak it for two to three minutes in warm water and use a vegetable scrub brush to clean it thoroughly. Rinse off the pot and allow it to dry in a warm location for a minimum of two hours. Then, wearing rubber gloves, spray the inside and outside of the pot with red oxide metal primer. Leave the painted pot to dry for one hour.

2) Use a 1/2" or 1" natural-bristle brush to paint on a smooth, even coat of water-based gold size, which will act as the glue to hold the Dutch metal leaf in place, all over the outside of the pot and around the lip. Allow the size to dry 15- 20 minutes or until it becomes clear and tacky. When you press your knuckle to the surface, it should feel slightly sticky but leave no print (see “Helpful Hints”).

3) Dust your hands with talcum powder or wear cotton gloves when handling the Dutch metal leaf, a less costly alternative to gold leaf, to prevent the natural oils on your fingers from tarnishing it. Gently pick up one sheet and carefully lay it on the sized surface-the leaf will adhere as soon as it touches the size. Holding a soft-bristled brush almost flat against the surface, tamp or smooth down the leaf and brush off any excess. Continue laying down sheets, overlapping the edges by 1/8", and smoothing in place with a brush. In this manner, cover the outside of the pot and the inside lip.

4) Polish the pot by gently rubbing it with a soft cloth or cotton balls. Dip fine-grade steel wool in mineral spirits and very gently rub around the rim of the gilded pot and in any other areas that would naturally show signs of wear. The base color will show through where the metal has not adhered, further adding to the worn look.

5) Evenly brush on a coat of amber shellac and allow it to dry for one hour. Mix about 1/2" of the pot. Allow the paint to dry for five minutes, then use a soft cloth to rub off most of it. The paint should tone down the gold color and remain in a few spots to enhance the weathered look. Use a damp cloth to remove any paint that has dried too much.

Helpful Hints

You’ll be able to apply the gold size more evenly by dipping the brush in size, then lightly blotting the bristles on paper towels before beginning on the pot. The size is sticky, so be sure to clean the brush in warm, soapy water immediately after using it. Because the size on the flowerpot will remain tacky for several hours, it’s best to work in a dust-free environment; that way, the sizing won’t collect grit that will prevent the Dutch metal leaf from adhering smoothly. Dutch metal is actually an alloy of copper and zinc, which, when combined, look like gold. The exceedingly thin sheets are packaged between tissue papers and are sold separately or come in kits that also include sizing and a brush. The sheets are about 5” x 5” and can be cut into smaller pieces. Although Dutch metal is stronger than genuine gold leaf, it still needs to be handled with a light touch. Use the brushed-off bits of metal to fill in any skipped spots.

“Gild a Flowerpot” reprinted from Good Housekeeping’s, Do It Yourself magazine, Fall 1999 with permission.

* The photograph shows the gilding process without the very last step of painting with the blue acrylic paint.