Transform a Frame with Cosmic Shimmer Gilding Flakes

Give a simple wooden frame a spectacular mixed media makeover with Cosmic Shimmer Gilding Flakes, Metallic Gilding Polishes and moulded embellishments. In this video tutorial, Sheena Douglass transforms inexpensive wooden frames with a lustrous metallic finish before adding an ombré sweep of autumn hued gilding flakes.

Moulded maple leaves and acorns bring the design to life, with a mixture of burnished Polishes and Gilding Flakes creating the fiery colours and textures of autumn. The finished frames become part of the artwork themselves – perfect for displaying a mixed media piece, stamped artwork, photograph or something created especially as a gift.

Watch the video and see how to create your own autumnal gilded frame.

Step 1 – Make the moulded leaves and acorns
Start by making plenty of leaves using Brown Hearty Air Dry Clay. Cosmic Shimmer Rose Leaves Silicone Mould  and Katy Sue Designs Maple Silicone Leaves Mould.
Lightly rub the moulds with vegetable fat (such as Trex). Press the clay firmly into the mould, working it into the detailed areas, then flex the mould to remove the finished shape. While the leaves are still slightly soft, use a shaping tool or even the handle of a paintbrush to gently thin and stretch the edges. Curl to create more natural shape rather than leaving every leaf completely flat. Sheena recommends allowing them to sit for a few minutes first so the clay becomes slightly firmer while still remaining flexible. Make more leaves than you think you will need – having different sizes and shapes gives creative freedom when arranging the finished frame.
You can also choose to make acorns using the Flower Pro Nuts & Berries Silcone Mould.

Step 2 – Add autumn colour with Cosmic Shimmer Polishes
Paint some of your leaves (and acorns if desired) with a selection of Cosmic Shimmer Metallic Gilding Polishes. Rather than covering every leaf uniformly, vary the colours from leaf to leaf. Try combinations of green, copper, red, bronze and gold, keeping the placement irregular to mimic changing autumn foliage.
Sheena suggests limiting individual leaves to around three colours rather than trying to use every shade on each one.
For the acorns, dry brush the cap with Enchanted Gold to retain the moulded detail, then use copper and touches of red or gold over the remaining areas.

Step 3 – Prepare the frame
Cover the entire wooden frame with Cosmic Shimmer Black Gesso, including the edges, inside aperture and back, so the finished piece looks complete from every angle. 

Step 4 – Create an aged metallic finish
Once the gesso is dry, tear a piece of kitchen sponge to give it an irregular surface and dampen it slightly.
Use the sponge to apply polish over the frame. Allow some of the black base to remain visible rather than aiming for solid coverage – this creates the mottled, hammered-metal effect.
Introduce darker Graphite and touches of contrasting metallic colour in places to give the surface an aged, almost industrial appearance. Allow the frame to dry.

Step 5 – Create the gilded ombré effect
Now for the star of the project – the Cosmic Shimmer Gilding Flakes.
Using a stencil brush, apply Cosmic Shimmer Flake & Glitter Glue generously along the area where you want the gilding to be strongest. Gradually reduce the amount of glue as you move upwards or across the frame, using a more random stippling action towards the edge. This creates the faded, ombré effect rather than a hard line between the gilded and metallic areas.
Wait until the Flake & Glitter Glue changes from its blue-white appearance to clear. It will remain extremely tacky.

Step 6 – Apply the Gilding Flakes
Place the Gilding Flakes over the tacky areas and use a soft brush to gently encourage them across the surface. Make sure all the adhesive is covered before beginning to remove the excess. Once covered, use a firmer stencil brush to gently burnish the flakes, removing loose pieces and revealing the beautiful mix of metallic colours beneath. Save the excess flakes – even the smaller pieces can be returned to the container and used again. In fact, the finer pieces work particularly well around the faded edge of the ombré area.

Step 7 – Gild some of your moulded leaves
To tie the embellishments into the frame, cover some of your moulded leaves with Flake & Glitter Glue and allow it to turn clear.
Press the tacky leaves into your chosen Gilding Flakes, then brush away the excess. Sheena combines several gilding flake colours across the project, including autumnal copper and brighter red-toned shades, alongside the leaves painted with Polishes.
The contrast between the highly reflective gilded leaves and the softer metallic sheen of the polished leaves is what gives the finished arrangement so much depth.

Step 8 – Arrange your embellishments
Before reaching for the glue, experiment with different arrangements of leaves and acorns around the frame. Avoid making the design too symmetrical. Mix different leaf shapes, sizes, colours and finishes, allowing some to overlap or trail down the side of the frame. A useful tip from Sheena is to take a photo on your phone once you're happy with the arrangement. You can then remove the pieces and use the photo as a reference while sticking everything permanently into place.

Step 9 – Glue everything in place
Use Cosmic Shimmer Glue to secure your embellishments, working across the arrangement a few pieces at a time.
Don't flatten every leaf against the frame. Glue the areas that need securing while allowing curled edges and shaped sections to remain raised. This preserves the natural movement and dimension you created earlier.
Add your chosen artwork or photograph and your transformed frame is complete.

Make the frame part of your artwork
One of the lovely things about this project is that the frame doesn't simply surround your finished piece – it becomes part of the mixed media artwork.
Sheena fills hers with hand-painted autumn scenes, but you could just as easily add stamped artwork, a journal-style piece, scrapbook design or favourite photograph.
And if you prefer a simpler finish, you can stop before adding the moulded embellishments. The combination of the aged metallic Polishes and rich Gilding Flakes makes a striking frame in its own right.