Sept. 26, 2014: The weekly craft class is back in session. Because our leader is a retired art teacher we are learning more than how to make a craft. Her approach is to teach us a technique to get us started, then each of us will usually come up with how to apply that technique into something tangible.
One technique we are learning is repoussé and chasing. Repoussé is a metalworking technique in which metal is ornamented or shaped by hammering from the reverse side to create a design. Chasing is the opposite technique, and the two are used in conjunction to create a finished piece. Think embossing.
We started with a copper metal sheet about 5 x 7 and looked through magazines for something that appealed to us. Most of us chose a flower or a bird.
After tracing the item onto tracing paper, then tracing again onto the copper sheet using a pointed wooden stick we worked on the opposite side to push out areas; flip it over and add more detail etc. Once we liked the design we brushed ink over the metal sheet and after it dried used steel wool to remove most of it and then polished it gently with a soft cloth.
I really enjoyed this project so decided to frame mine. I'm already thinking of doing a few more.
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