Tutorial for Embossed Brass (Bookmarks)

[azemigh]

Here is a quick tutorial for the embossed brass bookmarks that I took a class in last week. If you have any questions or I forgot to mention something, please post in this thread and I will try to answer. This was really fun and has lots of potential for great artsy creations! Have fun embossing!

Materials:
Brass (http://www.whimsie.com/bronzesheet.html) I believe we used 24 gauge; you had to cut with a tinsnip
scotch tape
foam tape
old pie or cake tin
cropadile
white acrylic paint
Alcohol inks in various colors
sandpaper (fine grit)
acrylic sealant
fibers and eylets
embossing folders and embossing machine
heat gun
canned air or large dusting brush

Step One: cut brass to size (our bookmarks were 1.25" x 5") and punch a hole in the top with the cropadile
Step Two: decide which embossing folder you would like to use and audition your brass in the folder; when you find the design you like tape the brass down with scotch tape.
Step Three: Run the embossing folder through your machine with the correct plates.
Step Four: Stick the brass down to a pie tin with foam tape. Use tape at the top, middle and bottom; you don't want it moving

[azemigh]

Step Five: Cover the entire brass piece with white paint

[azemigh]

Step Six: Choose 2 colors of alcohol ink to start with. Open both and hold one in each hand about 2 inches above the brass. Drip several drops of each color over the brass; letting colors overlap. When you're happy with those 2 colors you can add 1 or 2 more. Use a paper towel lightly to sponge up any AI that pools too much or is too dark. You do not want to spread the towel around though, just daub very gently.

Step Seven: Use a heat gun to set the AI. Hold the heat gun at least 6 inches away and keep it moving. It will take about 3 minutes. If you hold it too close you can make the paint bubble. Remember, the brass and the pie tin will be hot so let them cool before touching.

[azemigh]

Step Eight: Using fine grit sandpaper and holding it flat sand the top of the brass, exposing the brass on the raised edge of the embossing. Sand as much or as little as you like.

Step Nine: use some canned air to blow all the dust from sanding away; then wipe with paper towel to get the rest.

[azemigh]

Step Nine: Remove brass from the pie tin and spray with acrylic sealant.

Step Ten: Choose fibers and matching eyelet; Use the cropadile to install the eyelet and then add the fibers. And you're finished!

You can also use this technique to emboss small pieces of brass for earrings or other jewelry pieces.

[jmp1022]

cool

[Paula]

Thanks for the tute Rachelle!! Something to try, for sure!!

[Trixie]

Those are beautiful!

[troublesmom]

Just beautiful. They would make terrific gifts for sure. I could even do that if I had the brass

[pbp908]

These are so pretty. Amazing how many different looks you got from the inks - I love the one that looks like peacock feathers.

[djenns]

Thanks for posting the tutorial - these look so great

[Debbie J]

I looked on Etsy and a 2 inch by 2 inch piece of copper was $3.00, expensive stuff!

[jmp1022]

I bought a small roll at Michaels but not sure if it is the right thickness.

[azemigh]

I found a source for the brass and now I know why the class was not cheap. I posted the link in the materials list and here http://www.whimsie.com/bronzesheet.html I'm sure we used 24 gauge sheet because our instructor said you must use tinsnips to cut it. If you got a 6"x12" sheet you would get 8 bookmarks.

[pbp908]

Dumb thought, but maybe you can get it at Home Depot or Lowe's? Reason why that occurred to me is because the guys putting in my new roof used either copper or brass to fabricate the flashing around the vents. Probably copper, but that might be a cool look, too.

I'm thinking for now I'll try it with the metal sheets from Ranger and put some filler in the embossed part so it won't collapse.