Check out the whole lesson here:
https://createartwithme.com/aluminum-foil-embossing-repousse-ornament/
Create Art with ME –Michelle East
Check out my blog CreateArtwithME.com
Foil Embossed Ornament- Low Relief Design
This is called tooling when working with soft metals.
Tools/ Supplies
Sheets of metal- Crafters grade 36 gauge Aluminum. Also comes in copper & dual sided.
Metal Embossing or Tooling Tools- DickBlick.com -Ten Seconds metal tools
Foam Sheets to cushion the surface
Scissors
Tape
Glue or glitter glue for finishing the edges
Parchment paper
Optional rigid Fiskars Texture Plates (Amazon) –not good for small areas
16-18 gauge wire
Hole punch
Designing the Ornament
Make your own design:
Fold a piece of paper in half
Draw design for ½ of the ornament-symmetrical
Cut it out with scissors
Open up the paper & draw your basic design out on the template
Transferring the Design:
Cut out a sheet of metal a little larger than your design.
Tape all the edges so you won’t get cut while working on it.
Place template on top of metal & tape it into place.
Use a sharpie to trace around the outside parameter of the ornament. You can get the sharpie off later by using rubbing alcohol.
Place metal on the foam sheet & trace all your lines with a dull pencil or one of the ball metal tools.
Flip your metal over to check if you got all your design.
Embossing the Ornament
Both techniques are used together to create a finished piece
These techniques utilize the plasticity of the metal by pushing and stretching the metal to achieved desired designs. It is not pushed to the extent that the metal breaks.
Metal Embossing uses 2 main techniques:
Repousse- French Word that Means “to push up”- this method is done on the back of the metal pushing it forward (with harder metal it is done with a hammer & tools)
Demo Repousse with tools & texture plates
Chasing- the technique of sinking the metal from the front (intaligo process)
Demo Chasing with tools & texture plates
Cutting out Ornament
BE VERY CAREFUL cutting out the ornament, the edges are extremely sharp! You can wear gloves to prevent cutting yourself.
Adding Color
Use permanent markers like Sharpies or Bic brands.
Limit to 3-4 colors
Use a color scheme-Analogous, split complementary
The Hanger
Use 16-18 gauge wire from home improvement store cut about 7” in length.
Curl into a swirly shape with needle nose plyers. Do a big swirl on the top & just one loop where the hole will go.
Use a hole punch to put a hole for the hanger.
Glue Edges
Place ornament as flat as possible on a sheet of parchment paper.
Squirt a continuous line of glue on the outer edge of the ornament. Do this ALL THE WAY around the ornament.
Let dry for 5+ hours (dry time depends on the glue)