Using Scrap Foil

Using Scrap Foil

For Hobby, Pastime and Profit

A very interesting little practised craft, is creating effects

with scrap foil. It is a cheap medium to work with, supplies

being obtained freely from the wrappers of sweets, chocolates,

biscuits, cigarettes, and other articles. If one prefers to use

new foil, it may be obtained quite cheaply, and there is not

waste at all.

Pictures of your own design, calendars, trays, advertising signs

and firescreens are but a few of the articles that can be made

in a wide range of patterns and colors. Materials required are

few, and consist of a piece of glass, the size of the article

being made, cardboard, Indian ink, photographic paste, and passe

partout binding.

As an example, let us begin with a colorful picture of a basket

of flowers, selected from a glossy magazine. Most pictures are

suitable for this type of work, but those with small details

should be avoided.

Transfer the main outlines of the design on a piece of tracing

paper, then place the blank side of the paper against the piece

of glass; back it with cardboard, and secure the whole with

elastic bands or paper clips to prevent movement. The design

should now be seen reversed, as in a mirror.

Thoroughly clean the front of the glass to remove any

fingerprints of greasy patches. With Indian ink, black out all

of the background, leaving the parts that will show the foil

clear. When thoroughly dry, apply a second coat of ink. After

allowing that coat to dry, the paper and card may be removed.

Cut the foil roughly to the shapes required, and using

photographic paste, place the pieces in their respective

positions on the inked side of the glass, and smooth the foil

gently. If the foil slightly overlaps the ink, it does not

matter; it will not show.

Build the picture up from the center to the outside, and finish

one color before starting on the next. Cover the finished work

with paper, and smooth gently but thoroughly all over to ensure

that every part is firmly fixed. When dry, coat with clear

varnish, and leave to set.

Place the backing cardboard into position again, not forgetting

to fix any hangers if they are required, and then bind the edges

with passe partout.

Even the smallest piece of foil left over will have a future

use, and every bit however small, should b e saved. In the case

of buildings, remember that light windows should be shown in

silver or gold foil, an skies should of course be blue, grass

green, etc.