Gold leaf Question

[Flowers]

Hello
I would like to have a go with gold leaf does it need to be a certain Karat for fusing? Also can I used edible gold leaf and could anyone point me in the right direction as to where to buy if from?
Thank you so much 

[Steampunkglass]

I don't thing the carat rating will make too much difference, as long as its real gold leaf and not imitation (or Dutch Schlag as its sometimes known as) so cake leaf should be fine as I think that's normally about 23-24ct. I know Cooksons gold stock a little bit, I used to get mine from https://www.cornelissen.com/ although I used it with lampworking rather than fusing

[Moira HFG]

Just remember if you use less than 24ct it will have a bit of silver/copper in, which may give you reactions. Edible leaf is fine, but not necessarily cheaper. I use https://www.goldleafsupplies.com/gold-metal-leaf/ , they have a lovely range of stuff.

[Fluffstar]

Yep - avoid ebay.  I got a wodge of 'gold leaf' and it just turned into brown sludge in the flame.     like Moira said - goldleafsupplies are great =)

[Flowers]

Thank you all. Very much for your kind help and the links to where to buy.  I will avoid ebay for sure.  I will prob get the edible kind that way if I am not successful using it in glass I can bake with it instead 

[Flowers]

Sorry meant to ask should I get the loose gold leaf or the transfer gold leaf that is pressed onto a backing sheet does it make a difference?

[Moira HFG]

I've never used transfer leaf - maybe someone who has can chip in! - but I believe being lightly stuck to its backing paper makes it easier to place when you're gilding onto paper/wood etc.
It might be worth a try if you struggle to handle loose leaf - which flies away, crumples, sticks to your fingers and tools, etc. I imagine on a bead the backing would just burn away. Let us know if you try it!

[Steampunkglass]

Like Moira says transfer is only really useful if you find handling it difficult or are using it outdoors where there is too much wind! (People used to think guilders were protecting their trade secrets because sometimes they'd put small tents around where they were working!) I did this guide a few years ago which might help, you can always substitute a large flat palette knife if you don't want to spend out of a guilders knife http://www.steampunkglass.co.uk/page23.htm

[Moira HFG]

Excellent tutorial Glenn! 

[flame n fuse]

yes it is! - well worth a read

[Steampunkglass]

Thank you, I did this about a million years ago when I used to do lots of guilding

[Flowers]

Moira I will let you know how I go when I get some.  Glenn wow I love your website and that gold tutorial is amazingly helpful and informative I love your talcum powder tip what a fab idea.  Thank you so much for sharing it.