Singing Potatoes
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Sunday, 4 May 2003
Sure hope gold isn't toxic

I had forgotten how much a pain it was to goldleaf in Florida. Not only is it humid, requiring the size to dry longer before putting on the gold, but goldleafing is really incompatible with the need for air conditioning.

Goldleaf foil, if you've never had the pleasure, is as thin as cobwebs, and just as sensitive to the slightest stir in the air. It sticks to itself like clingfilm, and must be cut with an extremely sharp, spotlessly clean knife to avoid tearing; the slightest bit of finger oil will cause the foil to stick to the blade. Once cut, it must then be transported to the area to be leafed, which presents its own unique set of problems.

There are dozens of things that can go wrong, and they frequently do. And when something does go wrong, the gold is often rendered useless, and you just have to find a way to dispose of it.

Posted by godfrey (link)
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Comments
mmmm...gold leaf...
Posted by Ginevra on 4 May 2003 05:40
What's harder? Gold leafing of rock scrimshawing?
As fro uses, you can always add it to your handy bottle of goldschlager!

Me
Posted by Sid on 4 May 2003 15:10
....Throw away gold? Um, can I have it?
Posted by Moira on 4 May 2003 15:17
Rock carving is just more tedious. I presume. (Using a Dremel took was kind of cheating.)

And if you really want some gold flakes, Moira, I could stick some in an envelope for you, but it's not really worth a whole lot. A package of 25 3¾"x3¾" leaves costs $28, which is actually a lot more than the price of the gold itself.

Posted by Godfrey on 4 May 2003 22:49
Aww. Rats. I was thinking of some kind of get-rich-quick scheme....
Posted by M o I r A on 6 May 2003 06:59
So is gold toxic? I work with it and havent been able to find much info
Posted by mike on 18 May 2004 16:58