Marc Adams
by LiLi Jackson

Beautiful finishes and surface decorations on woodwork have always intrigued me and made me want to be able to create my own. Recently I learned a unique finishing technique that is really awesome.

David Marks, star of the television show Wood Works, taught a course on Gilding and Patination at the Marc Adams School of Woodworking.

My class was taught in one of the workbench rooms, as opposed to the machine room. It was outfitted with a camera and monitor to eliminate the need to crowd around a demonstrating instructor, but we all ended up crowding around anyway though. It was more exciting to see up close.

While David Marks led us through the process of gilding and patination, I was excited to try it myself. The gilding class was very hands-on. I started by sanding my piece of MDF, that had been coated with white shellac and then blue and red Japan color. Sanding was to not only to level the board, but also to give the board a more weathered look. You sand it and sand it, then sand some more in order to get a glass smooth surface.

Once it was perfectly smooth, we applied size (an adhesive) to our boards and waited for them to almost dry. Then we applied the copper, silver, gold or imitation gold leaf in either full sheets or breaking apart the sheets to make designs of our choice. The next step is really what makes this finish extraordinary.

We started experimenting with chemicals such as cupric nitrate and barium sulfate to see how they change the appearance of the different metals. We even tried different methods of applying the chemicals in attempt to get different results. In the end, it's was relatively easy to do, and it's really cool. Gilding as a surface treatment is so versatile and it can even be a project-saver. Maybe you have a project that didn't turn out quite right - cover it with gold leaf, and all of a sudden it's dazzling.

The school is located in North Franklin, Indiana, which is southeast of Indianapolis. It is a long drive, so make sure to rent a car and bring some of your own music to listen to. There are a few housing options, such as motels and hotels, but they are all at least a 10-minute drive from the MASW. Luckily, lunch is provided on site (the cold cut or BBQ meal is prepared my Marc's wife and mother every class day). Other meals are on your own.

I've already used the technique since I left the school, and wish I could have stayed for another class or two at the facility.

If you'd like to find out more about the Marc Adams School of Woodworking, visit www.marcadams.com or call 317-535-4013.