Easy DIY Copper Leaf Project

This is such an cheap, easy process, I thought I'd share it! When we bought our current house, a single story ranch, the garage needed a little something up above for interest. For $10.00 I bought a sage green painted metal folk art type star. I was in a craft store and saw a package of Copper Leaf and had a eureka moment. I copper leafed the star, sprayed with a clear poly spray to protect it from the weather. After 10 years it looked like this, pretty sad.

Not too bad, but it needed a face lift. Just lots of weathering.

Since we painted the house, and installed a vent in that spot, I decided to re-do it for another spot on the front of the house, centered between our bedroom windows. For $12.00 I bought a small package of copper leaf. The package said gold, but it was copper.

Spread on a thin coating of glue, as you want a tacky surface. Very carefully use one sheet of copper leaf at a time, it's sandwiched between thin paper sheets. Just leave in place in the "book" and press on the tacky glue, tear off the paper pages as you go. I used a small paint brush to flatten the copper leaf on gently.

I worked on my dining table with paper towels underneath. To prep I brushed and wiped the surface with a dry cloth and worked on as it. Theoretically I could have washed it with TSP but why bother? I wanted the rustic look. I used some Elmer's Wood glue, applied with a craft sponge. Pour on, sponge on, and do a small section at time.

I worked all the way around, overlapping as needed. I let dry overnight.

The next day I brushed off the loose copper excess and did the process again. Just fill in any gaps and empty spots, dry overnight again. Wipe off the rest of the excess and spray with clear poly to protect from the outdoor elements. Re-hung and we're done! 

With the left over copper from last time I covered a cheap plastic and metal yard art "sun". Much better! For all the photos go to my blog.