I'm putting together a little ( ;)) shopping list and thought I'd ask your thoughts about silver foil compared to leaf?
I mean, I know foil is thicker and more than double the price, is it worth it? Do you use it in SIS or save it for directly applying to the bead?
Does that extra thickness make it more difficult to work with?
???
we've just ordered both due to demand - but we do not use it ourselves so i am very keen to see what everyone thinks!!!
;) ;D
The foil is MUCH easier to handle! It doesn't fly away and stick to everything like leaf does. You can even cut it.
I use both - and for different things.
I use the foil for SIS and doing foil lined beads etc or when I want a LOT of silver reaction. I use the leaf for wrapping around beads for organic feels an reactions. Both are equally useful.
I use Foil for under glass and leaf for on glass
I only use foil - I hate leaf - I end up eating/wearing most of the leaf I attempt to use. There is such a thing as too much silver (I'm told !) and you do definitely get different reactions with leaf vs foil but for the convenience foil is so much better.
The only way I manage leaf is by licking my finger, dabbing it on my marver then putting the foil on there so it doesn't blow off or get sucked up my vent! I use flat ended tweezers to handle it or it just sticks like mad to your fingers ::)
Dont leave the book of leaf in front of an open window.....its impossible to pick up 2 leaves tht are attached to furniture, floor walls, cats dogs......
I have never used anything other than silver leaf, and yes it is very fine but I have not had any problems with it. I am now looking forward to trying foil.
I am also tempted to try the bronze and copper leafs too. How do these react with different glasses, do the stop the colour they are?
Ilona
i'm going to have a bash with palladium, i know sarah used some one one of my favourite beads of hers - so i have high hopes!!
8)
I bought some palladium and am scared to try it. Cost 3x as much as silver
i am thinking of dabbling in a little Gold, i think i might be able to buy a postage stamp worth
Anyone used gold? i think i might have to invest in foil too~~!
Have you read Sarah Hornik's latest blog Anna, she's been playing with gold too.
:)
I've used gold, palladium and copper.... all are fab!
Copper likes a LOT of heat and try not to use too much...
Gold, I got some cheap from hong kong on eBay - its really nice to use and doesnt burn off as quickly as silver.
Like this, Claire?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/200-pcs-of-24K-Gold-leaf-gold-sheets_W0QQitemZ320189981412QQihZ011QQcategoryZ11786QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/200-pcs-of-24K-Gold-leaf-gold-sheets_W0QQitemZ320189981412QQihZ011QQcategoryZ11786QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem)
it would be fab having pictures with the type of leaf/foil used on them ;D....pretty please ;)
Gold I find difficult to handle as its leaf and very fine, it can look garish as well if you are not careful, can also look gorgeous.
Silver leaf is easier and has different effects to the foil. I mostly use foil as its easy to use and you get strong effects with it, whereas leaf is more subtle. Also as said before you can cut it up which is mostly what I do.
Try copper over a white bead and also with white enamel.
I can't get bronze to do much yet and I haven't tried Palladium, maybe I should buy myself some for a Christmas present. ;D
i have some pics of the guys in murano using gold and silver leaf in the typical traditional venitian glass beads - and also laying them out on sheet for fused work.. i'll go and hunt my picture server..
8)
Yeh thats the sort of gold leaf that I have used - not the same seller though.
As Lesley said though it IS hard to handle though as its so fine but when its cheap you kind of panic a little less!
Copper leaf over white enamel over black base and then boiled to death is rather lovely :D
These were done using that method:
(http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x275/rowanberryglassart/verdigris.jpg)
that'll do!!!!!
;) ;D
Well, I think I might buy another book of silver leaf and treat myself to a book of silver foil as well.
And, I just grabbed one of those packs of 200 sheets of gold leaf, but even allowing for the fugly jar, I can't see me ever using all that! Anybody want half? (works out to £5.50 each)
I'd like the other half, please, if it's still available. :D
I use loads of silver leaf. Great stuff. :D
I'm not keen on gold - every time I use it it makes my beads look a bit tacky. (or is that tackier??! ;))
I had a book of Palladium when I first started - and was disappointed by the results - it looked like gold but slightly less goldy. Maybe if I had any nowadays I would know what to do with it - you're s'pposed to get loads of irridescent colours out of it but I never did.
Love silver, just love it.
You have inspired me to get my foil out tonight...
Quote from: Shirley on December 07, 2007, 10:17:19 AM
I'd like the other half, please, if it's still available. :D
No problem, PM me your details Shirley and I'll let you know when it arrives.
I think with gold you have to be careful what you use it with. When I've used it, I have only used it in organics and only splashes of it and very careful with what colours, i mainly used it with pinks,rubino etc - which has gold in it, so I thought that it would probably go anyway!
I've seen some nice simple beads just using pale aquamarine as a base with gold foil on top and that looked classy.
I'm planning on using some with purples, for a rich "jewel-like" style. or maybe just Cadbury's chocolate....
Yeh I tried Palladium and all could get it to do is sorta go a muted matt silver grey... I'm probably using it wrong - and I was on the HH at the time. I should try it again really!
I saw some Palladium on Sarah Hornik's beads a few months back, and the iridescence was lovely. I have no idea what the trick is but I am getting inspired to have a bit of a play. :)
My Mum got me some blue silver leaf from the states, I've tried a little but I'm not skilled enough to get the effects yet.. well, maybe I'll have another go.. anyway, normal leaf is good to have for making silvered ivory. :)
These are gold leaf. I use the teeny sheets too, much easier to handle than a whole sheet!
Copper leaf doesn't stay copper coloured, it looks grey and horrid at first, then goes green like Claire's beads.
(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o297/weemaryanne/golden_cl.jpg)
I have some silver leaf and found it really difficult to work with - mind you, I am a newbie!!
I wrapped the silver over a small bead but then trying to keep it warm, without burning it all off and trying to warm up an encasing rod to cover the silver at the same time, sent me a bit bonkers!! :o
I love the look of silver peeping out of beads too but haven't managed to do that yet!!
Hil x
I use book loads of silver leaf, you get quite a different effect from silver foil and it is fun to experiment with both. I have had gold but only a tiny bit to try that was lovely tho. I would love to try the blue silver as ive seen some lovely stuff done with it.
Claire & Mary, your beads are beautiful :P
I cut my silver leaf with sissors, I put it in a folded piece of paper (as long as its not glossy paper) & cut it that way & sometimes i just cut a slice of the end of the book so I get 25 strips of silver ;D