Fun With Foil

I have a long list of sentiments to decorate little plaques that I sell at Sunrose Gallery in Seaside, Oregon and the sentiment “Be Brave” is always a good seller.  I got a new roll of Amaco Copper Soft Metal ArtEmboss and made up a few collages using my new washi tape and some old cigar box lids.

 

 

I used a print out of an old project for the pattern of the heart and leaves.  The ArtEmboss is a sheet of soft copper.  It is a dream to cut and comes with a wooden stylus that is fabulous to work with.

 

 

I had two cigar lids to decorate, it works best to white out the colorful areas.

 

 

The printout was an old project I made years ago, I often take a photo of projects so I don’t forget about it plus I have a pattern which cuts down on time.

 

 

I covered the cigar box lid with washi tape.  The tape gives almost instant gratification, no WAITING for paint to dry!  LOL

 

 

Here are all the elements of the collage:  Washi Tape covered lid, the “heart” flower, leaves,  wire flower stem, and wire looped hanger for the back.

The wooden stylus is very easy to use.  I just had fun “doodling” on the copper pieces after I printed “BE BRAVE”.

I will admit my method to antique the copper is MESSY!  I cover the whole surface of each piece of copper with black felt pen and then sparingly rub off the felt pen as I get my fingers wet with acetone fingernail polish remover .  I have a paper towel handy but use my fingers to rub off the felt pen leaving the surface wet so the creases of the copper retain the black.

This is how I make the wire hanger with 20 gauge annealed wire.

I use hot glue to attach the wire hanger to the back and cover the swirls with a paper circle.  I usually don’t cover the back of the cigar lid because folks in Oregon really celebrate Trash Art!  They can see it is bonafide trash if the back isn’t covered.

II

 

The first collage went together so fast, I decided to make another one and use up the last of the cigar lids!