How to Create Faux Forged Foil

Create the look of forged foil with ordinary aluminum foil with this detailed tutorial from Heidi Borchers of Inspired at Home. This look can be used on any hard surface, such as a picture frame. This lovely antique look is perfect for home decor or gifts.

Materials:

• string, braid, or heavy textured lace
• Aleene’s® Fast Grab Tacky Glue®
• aluminum foil or colored florist’s foil (without paper or plastic backing)
• a rolling pin
• paintbrush
• waxed paper
• black acrylic paint
• paper towels
• spray finish
   

Instructions:

Use a pencil to sketch a design on the base. Squeeze a line of glue along the marked line and glue the string in place. Let dry.

Cut a piece of foil 5” larger all around than your project surface. Crumple the foil (without crumpling it into a ball – otherwise it will tear when flattened). Uncrumple and lay it flat on your work surface. Flatten foil with a rolling pin, leaving wrinkles.

Brush a coat of glue on the project surface and string. Center and press the foil (shiny side up) into the glue. Working from the center out, firmly mold the foil over the string for the best effect. If the foil tears, crumple and flatten a small scrap of foil and glue in place to cover the tear. Trim excess foil, leaving 2” to fold to the back around all edges. Fold and glue the excess foil to the back of the base. Let dry.

To antique the project, mix 2 parts black paint with 1 part water to create a color antiquing wash. Working over a small area at a time, brush the paint over the foil surface. Immediately wipe off the excess paint with a paper towel, leaving some paint in the crevices to highlight the texture. Continue with antiquing until the desired effect is achieved. Let dry. Apply a coat of spray finish to the project. Let dry.