Hi-Yo, Silver

Sing it from the mountaintops. I’ve discovered Artisan Enhancements Foil — silver, gold and copper — and I love it. I attended a workshop with my Annie Sloan stockist, Pat Stone-Smith, and learned several stunning new techniques using Artisan Enhancements products.

You can see how it transformed this horse, whom I’ve named Silver. I ordered him online a few months ago, and he took weeks to reach my home. After much anticipation, I opened the box and faced disappointment. Yes, he reminded me of a horse from the Chinese Tang Dynasty, but he lacked heft and drama. The “estate stone” he was made from seemed a fancy name for polymer resin. I considered sending him back.

I put not-yet-named Silver on top of a chest already filled with other animals for me to work on. I’d look at him each day and try to come up with a solution. Maybe I could cover him with gold leaf, just to flash him up.

At the workshop, Pat suggested silver foil. “Use Paris Grey to wash him and add the silver foil to highlight his bridle, saddle and hooves.” Huh. Interesting. The silver foil was priced reasonably — only $3.99 a yard. That just left purchasing the Size, which is a glue that adheres the foil. I already had Clear Finish.

Back home I added a little water to Annie Sloan’s Paris Grey pain and washed my equine until I was satisfied. I’ve rotated him in this photo for full effect:

Next came the silver foil. Liquid size quickly covers the areas for the foil to adhere. Just one coat of the size does the trick. The directions suggest waiting 45 minutes for it to become tacky. They aren’t kidding, if the foil goes on too soon it won’t stick.

He’s dazzling. Silver got the first of two Clear Finish applications about 48 hours after the foil went on. Remember, wait two to three hours between coats. The Clear Finish seals in the tackiness of the sizing and provides a high screen. If you want a matte finish, it’s recommended you try Clear Topcoat Sealer.

As an enthusiastic convert, you can guess my next step: I cast about for something else to undergo a silver foil transformation. I found a small gold mirror with plenty of detail. I painted Old White over the crackled part of the frame, then Paris Grey over the rest. I brushed the Size on the details and placed the silver foil. This project took a lot longer than the horse because the many details slowed down the process. But it looked good. I waited about 24 hours before putting on the Clear Finish. I Clear Waxed everything, and used Dark Wax on the Old White.

If silver foil can add this kind of pizzazz to Paris Grey, imagine what it (or gold or copper) will look like on a darker base color.

I still have silver foil left, but I’m putting it in my drawer because my next few projects don’t need it. Or do they?

I’m excited to tell you about the Open House we are having at our Booth 76 in Avonlea Antique Mall on Saturday. We plan to show off our wares to friends (lots of invitations went out) and the regular customers.

One last thing: David and I are heading to Kentucky in a couple of weeks, specifically, Whitley City. We’ll head up I-75 from Florida, through Atlanta, Chattanooga and Knoxville. Can you recommend any fabulous antique shops or flea markets, either along the way or near Whitley City?

Ann Marie and David

Featured on:

Participating in: