| Embossed-Metal Boxes |
From "DIY Crafts"
episode DIC-102 |
|
|
|
advertisement
|
Carol Duvall, host of HGTV's The Carol Duvall Show: I don't think it was hard to tell that I was enthusiastic about today's projects. After the boxtop, the book cover and the peanut tin I showed, now I want to go on to do more and more and more. The basic directions are the same as those we offered on the show featuring the embossed aluminum foil (#417), but this time, we used what is commonly called tooling foil. Though I looked for and found it in one of the craft stores, it is more frequently found in hobby shops. I'm guessing, however, that before too long it will be more readily available. I have already found single sheets of the foil packaged by the Comotion Rubber Stamp company, so look around. It may be marketed under different names and in different forms. Just keep in mind that you do not want the kind of tin sheets used for tin punching because it's too thick. So is roof flashing. You want to be able to emboss with nothing more than a ballpoint pen. I found the foil available in copper, brass and aluminum, and my local craft store also had rolls of foil that were red on one side and silver on the other. Green and silver rolls were available too. It seemed a bit thinner than the others, but for some things it will work as well. Experiment. Note: According to the dictionary, embossing means "to decorate with a raised design." In the past we have embossed on paper using a rubber stamp, embossing powder and a heat gun to make the raised design. When embossing tooling foil, you use a ballpoint pen or stylus and press down on the foil to make an indentation, and when you turn it over the design is raised. It's embossed! Materials:
Tooling foil
Magazine, ironing board or telephone book
Ballpoint pen or embossing tool
Scissors
Tips: Keep in mind that you will be working backward, so any design that has a right side and/or any lettering must be done in reverse. Experimentation is the name of the game. Even if you do not consider yourself an artist, you will be amazed at the results you can get by repeating small designs or geometric shapes (diamonds, squares, circles, etc.) over and over. Designs on finished pieces can be further enhanced by using metallic pens (gold, silver or copper) to color in some parts. This adds a great touch. And if you want to start now, go to the kitchen cupboard and take out the heavy-duty foil. Use spray adhesive to glue two layers together, and follow the tooling-foil directions previously provided. Embossed tooling foil can be used for everything from decorating greeting cards to making bookmarks to covering boxes, notebooks and empty cans. We chose to do a box top, notebooks and cans on the show. Box Tops The box used was one of those very heavy cardboard boxes that are sold in office-supply stores. It comes flat, so it is easy to cut a pattern to fit it, but any heavy cardboard box can be used. - Cut a piece of the foil to match the box top. If the box is already constructed, it is wise to cut a paper pattern first, making certain to cut it large enough to fold over the sides and down into the inside of the cover. Using the fold lines as a guide, cut out the corners. Cut a piece of foil to match (figure A).
- Place foil on the box top, and fold into place. Remove from the box top and emboss the design, using the fold lines as a guide (figure B).
- When the design is complete, replace the foil on the box top (figure C). Remember to position it so the raised design is facing out. It should stay in place, but if further adhesion is required, use glue suitable for metal.
Notebook The notebook we used was one of those inexpensive ones available in drugstores and discount-store stationery departments. Most of these notebooks have three-ring binders. - With the aid of a screwdriver or dinner-knife blade, carefully pry up and remove the gold corners.
- Make a paper pattern as you did for the box, bringing the paper around to the inside of the cover for a short distance.
- Cut metallic foil to match the pattern, emboss, and cover the book (figure D).
- Replace the metal corners.
Tin Can - Cut a length of the foil to fit around the can.
- Emboss and place around can.
- Attach with metal glue.
Small Box This was made like the box cover, but this time a double layer of heavy-duty kitchen foil was used. The box itself was also covered but not embossed (figure E).
RESOURCES :
Tinwork
Lorenz Books / Anness Publishing Inc.
Website: www.lorenzbooks.com
Foil
Uptown Design Company
Browns Point, WA 98422
Phone: 253-925-1234
Fax: 253-925-1234
| 
)
)
)
)
)
