Chippendale Bird Chinoiserie Mirror frame ref:ADM115 D71

Always prime metal using a spray metal primer available online in most countries. I use Rust-oleum. 

Spray paints: I tend to use platikote and rust-oleum but there are many other brands who sell similar products. In the UK you can pick them up in B&Q but also available in abundance online. The choices are huge but my all time favorite colour is Rust-oleum Hessian. It is a taupe and works well if you are looking for a old heavy brown cream finish. 

Paints: use almost anything - emulsion (wall paint - sample pots are cheap), acrylic, oils (generally you will get a sheen). Alway use a fine brush and dont apply too much - you can always add layers which look better than clumpy thick layers.

Make your own paints using https://www.cornelissen.com/pigments-gums-and-resins.html then add a binder such as glue or wax.

Gold and silver: Gold leaf but also gold particles suspended in a medium suitable for painting etc. This is a huge area and so I will offer a few of my favorites:

• Spray gold - lots of choice online
• If you plan to use gold leaf or Dutch metal (a cheaper and easier to use alternative) then paint the item red or yellow. This will show through the cracks and add depth. 
• You will need to use Gold leaf "size" when applying leaf - its a sticky glue that doesnt stop being sticky
• I like Polyurethane gold - its easy to apply and you can wash brushes in water but its hard to source and will go off after a few years. I buy mine from "Bristol paints" https://www.bristolpaint.com/metallic/polyurethane 

 Some links to gold and silver finishes that I would recommend - 

• Connoissier https://www.jacksonsart.com/brands/connoisseur     
•  https://www.croberson.co.uk/product-sections/roberson-gilding-materials.html
• https://www.robersonliquidmetal.co.uk/
• https://www.tiranti.co.uk/Products/gold-leaf
• https://www.modernmasters.com/landing/homeowners/brands/mpc
• https://www.bristolpaint.com/metallic/acrylic
• https://www.bristolpaint.com/metallic/polyurethane
• for people in the USA:   https://sculptnouveau.com/products/metal-coatings

Of course you can make your own! Use bronze powder which is available in  silver, gold, brass, bronze etc colours. Add this to wax or a glue so that it has a binder. If there are any salts in the glue then you will see your gold oxidise!

Varnish?

• I love to use wax on some items as the sheen is soft and it gives a classic patina. 
• Spray varnish -  polyeurethane can go yellow!
• Brushed on varnish such as modge podge is great and comes in different sheen levels. 

 

I always use a cyano type glue which most of us know this as super glue. My favourite is Haffix https://www.hafixs.co.uk/onlinestore/RCshop.html

If you are looking for a thicker super glue then try Deluxe although I warn you that their website is beyond tempting! https://deluxematerials.co.uk/collections/cyanoacrylates/products/roket-cyano-gel 

I also use a superglue activator of which there are many to choose from but here is a link to one of them: https://www.buildandplumb.co.uk/building-supplies-c21/sealants-tapes-adhesives-c228/adhesives-glue-c231/bond-it-clear-cyanoacrylate-accelerator-p12994/s35830?utm_medium=organic&utm_term=bond-it-clear-cyanoacrylate-accelerator-400ml-size-400ml-size-400ml-646857&utm_campaign=froogle&cid=GBP&glCurrency=GBP&glCountry=GB

Activator and superglue are available online and you can find different brands that are cheaper but for me the above tend to be my go to reliable brands. 

Please also note that despite superglue setting super fast it actually can take a day or two to fully cure so be gentle with your model!

 

Most of my kits are self explanatory but where the kit is complex I usually add the directions to the listing on the website. If there are none then it means the item is fairly straight forward to assemble. 

You may find a few hints and tips in the main description of the item. 

Before gluing I strongly recommend checking each section for casting spurs - these are little bits of metal left over from the casting process. They can be snapped or cut off or filed. Each design has its own little casting spur etc but sometimes these are hardly noticeable.

The metal items are made from Pewter which is an alloy. Its main metal is tin. It does NOT contain lead.

Pewter is lovely and soft and can easily be bent and polished. Should your  item arrive slightly bent then please gently bend it back into position taking care not to create too much bend on the thin areas found on candlesticks etc. 

This is OK to do and therefore you would need to choose free carriage on your second order assuming that it was not too large. I will then combine both in one delivery. 

I combine orders when I print them. I usually spot them but occassionally customers may order using different names (eg their husbands account and their own account) - I wont spot these so please email me if there could be any confusion. 

 

SPAIN & ITALY & ISRAEL & GREECE - please only choose tracking as we have many issues with parcels going missing. We can not post to these countries unless tracking is chosen. 

International: If you wish to have tracking then this is an option at check out. Unfortunately our post office system does not email you with updates and the tracking number. However I shall have your tracking details and should you require them please let me know and I can email them to you. 

UK: We send using MYHERMES / EVRI. They are reliable and on each delivery the courier will photograph an image of the delivery address as proof of postage. Since introducing this system it is rare that a parcel goes missing. You should also receive emailed updates as to the progress of your parcel. 

 

If you are unhappy with your purchase then you are most welcome to return it to me for a full refund of goods. 

Where an item is faulty please let me know by sending me an image of the fault (you can whatsapp me on 07539880641 or email it to alison@alisondaviesminiatures.co.uk) and I shall do my best to rectify the issue; normally sending a replacement part. 

When we launch new products we generally have quite a few orders to process and this usually means that it takes a little longer to despatch an order. If your parcel has to reach you by a specific deadline then please email me and I shall do my best to ensure your order is despatched within good time.