May 14, 2014 Hidden Treasures

Our days are filled with hidden treasures if we dare to look for them.

When we speak of treasures the first thing that comes to mind are treasure chests filled with gold or finding a long lost major art piece at a yard sale or in the trash. Really? Those odds are not in the millions to one, they are are in the billions to one. That is not long odds, that is to the moon without a space ship. There are better treasures than that and at a cost anyone can afford. The COST? Yepper! There is a cost. Time and an open heart. I have decided not to join in on challenges or get myself tied up in clubs or clicks. If that makes me different, GOOD. It is more important to realize our treasure is in each other and that we share that specialness through what we share. Have you ever heard anyone say, "But, but they get on my nerves, and, and I don't like what they create!" or "That isn't my taste in creating things." or "They never stop by and comment." REALLY?? As you judge so you shall be judged. If you say there is nothing positive to be found you haven't looked hard enough. I admit there are times I feel that way, at which point I must pause, back up and take another look. If I see nothing, I move on. Be sure that I will return because nothing is without merit. Only evil is without merit. Where do your hidden treasures lie? Psalms 119:11-12 "In my heart I treasure your promises, to avoid sinning against you. Blessed are you, Yahweh, teach me your will!"

The New Jerusalem Bible. (1985). (Ps 119:11–12). New York: Doubleday.

I am off on that "which way did he go George" path again. Yeah, I jumped off the horse and climbed onto the jackass and am headed off to who knows where. OH, I KNOW! Lets do something different. HEY! Stop groaning. WE are going to burnish some 3" armor plate. UUUHHH! Belay that. We are going to take a piece of 36 gage brass foil and create an image on it. What are I goin' to done with it. I dunno. But we gonna' done it any who.

(WARNING: DO NOT USE SHARP OR POINTED TOOLS. YOU WILL RUIN YOUR WORK) and I don't have enough band-aides to go around.  
It has been years since trying this. Don't ask how many, cuz I ain't tellin'. This was about 4 1/2 hours from start to finish. I thought it was fun myself. Here is the list of things you will need. There are pictures for those that don't like to read and explanations for those that don't know what they are looking at. (That would be me) If that doesn't help stop back on the next post. I'll understand.

36 gage tooling foil (comes in Brass, Copper and Aluminum. Brass shown)

Tape for the edge to prevent cuts (not Shown)

Band-aides if you don't tape the edges (Too graphic to show)

3/8" stiff foam pad (mouse pad or even a stack of old magazine will do)

Tape to hold the work to the pad (packing tape will do since metal will try to lift)

A pair of old shears or small tin snips

A burnishing set (if you have a paper craft burnishing set it will work)

Hardwood clay molding tools (some sets have the metal ball end tools)

Sharpie or other pointy marker

Tracing paper

An image that fits the foil size you will use.
(the image should not be the same size as the foil but 2/3  to 3/4 the size of the foil.)

You will also need a pencil and an eraser. If you are like me the eraser will be needed even thought it will only be used for tracing.
A ruler.

I cut my foil to a 4"X4" square. I then took Heavy Post It tape, cut four 4 1/2" strips and covered all four edges of the foil. I will not need the Band-Aides, will you? Next I laid the foil on the mouse pad and taped it down securely with 3M packing tape. Set the pad and foil aside and cut a piece of the tracing paper and tape it to the image with minimum tack tape. Trace your image. Trim the tracing paper with the image on it so it will fit the foil . My image is roughly 2 1/2" on a side so I made sure it fit in the center of the foil. Tape it fast to the foil and packing tape making sure no tape is on the image. (If you were to have tape on the image it will be difficult to impossible to trace through.

Now the fun begins. Take the smallest metal ball ended burnishing tool, Mine is 1mm, and, pressing down firmly, trace the outlines on the tracing paper. Don't miss any. It will make it harder later if you do. Make multiple passes if need be to assure a good outline. When you are sure your out line has been transfered to the foil, remove the tracing paper. Looks pretty good, huh?

From this point on it is a matter of using the other tools to press the metal inside the image to form the features desired. I used the metal ball ends to "fill" in between the outline by gently but firmly rubbing until the different areas produced the desired features. Once that is achieved I used the wood burnishing tool to smooth out the rough spots and to give a finished look. The finished product is not bad. Very much and amateur job but a good start. Have a look.

It doesn't show up well in a photo but then again neither does any shiny object. The lines are much more defined than you see here. The lines you see faintly around the image were left when I used one of the wooden tools that looks like a serrated knife to flatten the brass foil. Notice the tape is still on the edges. The 4.5 hours was needed. You need to be patient in this process. It is worth it.

This project was inspired by a very special lady and friend, Bibiana who is a very talented and extraordinary artist. Please be sure to visit her. She also does wonderful tutorials.

I am sure you will let me know how dumb and inadequate my little tutorial was. Cherokee likes it. The image that is. I will trim it and ruin it by trying to make a card with it or something. Oh well, if it gets ruined I can use it for target practice or something.

Next time the card or a chunk of metal with holes in it. SMILE. Remember LOVE THE DETAILS.