Cast decorative vase with gold leaf

Decorate a striped decorative vase made of casting compound with “ leaf metal ”
Mix the casting compound with water in the “ mixing cup ” until it forms a smooth, creamy mixture. A homogeneous mixture is important so that the vase will be sturdy later on and the fine stripes of the mold will come out cleanly. Take a little extra time to do this and be sure to mix in any casting powder from the edges of the cup thoroughly.

Then pour the mixture into the silicone mold and fill it evenly to the desired height. Gently tap the mold a few times on the work surface or tap it on the side. This allows air bubbles to rise to the top, giving you a nice, dense surface—especially in the grooves of the striped vase.

Now let the cast dry for about 1.5 hours. Afterward, carefully remove it from the silicone mould, by gently stretching the mold and not pulling on the object itself. This will keep the edges and stripes intact.

Smooth the edges and let it dry completely
Sand the edges and, if necessary, any small imperfections smooth with sandpaper . This not only ensures a pleasantly smooth feel but also ensures that later gold leaf priming milk, leaf metal and protective varnish adhere evenly. Let the cast vase dry thoroughly before you start finishing it.

gold leaf priming milk Application—the base for leaf metal
Using a brush, apply a thin layer of liquid gold leaf priming milk to the areas that will later have a metallic sheen. gold leaf priming milk is a special adhesive: it first becomes transparent and slightly sticky, then the leaf metal adheres reliably.

Let the gold leaf priming milk dry for at least 20 minutes until it is transparent.

leaf metal Apply and gently press down
Carefully place the leaf metal onto the prepared surfaces. Gently press it down with a soft, dry brush so that it conforms to the texture of the strips. Work without applying pressure—this minimizes tearing of the metal and gives you an elegant, vibrant finish.

Then carefully remove any loose residue with the brush. Let everything dry thoroughly, and then polish the surface as desired with a soft cloth or cotton wool. Polishing brings out the metallic sheen beautifully and gives the finish a high-quality look.

protective varnish For long-lasting indoor decor:
Let the decorated areas dry for at least 24 hours before sealing them with a topcoat. This neatly encapsulates the leaf metal and makes the surface more durable. The protective varnish is surface-dry after about 30 minutes, but should still be handled with care until it has fully cured. Important: The paint is suitable for indoor decorative items.

Final Styling: Use “ eucalyptus ”and “
” Cut a eucalyptus branch to the desired length with the side cutters and place it in the vase. The understated shape of the striped decorative vase and the matte green hue complement each other perfectly—ideal as year-round home decor or for fall arrangements.

Now it’s your turn! If you’re looking for more silicone molds, casting compounds, leaf metal , and paints for your next casting project, check out the online shop and put together your own set for modern casting with KeraHobby.