Hey glittergirls, first post here ever: on a whim I bought a package of copper leaf sheets, now I'm not quite sure what to do with em. Or moreso how to use it on basic cardboard to get a cover for a book. Is there a type of solution I need to get the effect I want? No directions in sight and I'm not truly certain that this is what I had in mind.

hmmmmmm, I have only silver-leafed (fake of course), but I bought it in a kit. There was a type of glue (kind of like acrylic base). You paint it on then wait for it to get tacky, place the leaf on carefully, and brush away the exess. There was also some kind of sealant in the kit, but it seemed to always be sticky. I hope that helps a little.

You need to get some sizing. There's a water based sizing that I think is called Aquasize or something like that. You can get oil-based too, but it can be a little clumpy if you don't apply it just so. Don't use regular glue! It will dry too quickly and unevenly.

Ideally you'd apply the leaf with one of those fancy brushes, but you can very, very carefully pick it up with your hands and then I would use a cheap soft paint brush to smoth it down and then burnish with bone folder. I think the pros use a piece of agate.

Acrylic gel medium works great too as an adhesive for metal leaf. Just brush it on wherever you want the copper foil to go, and let it dry to the point of getting tacky first and then apply the leaf (with a brush as suggested).

If you want your copper leaf to oxidize, you can buy a patinating agent to brush over it, or (even easier), brush it with some vinegar. It takes a month or so to oxidize, but it will (but only works with real copper leaf not the fake stuff).