Making Christmas Angels With Metal Embossing
Making Christmas Angel table decorations centerpieces or tree ornaments is a good project for both students and grown-ups to learn the art of metal embossing.
First draw an angel, or cut one out of a magazine to use as a pattern.
Different parts of the angel's body - such as skin parts and clothing parts - can be made from different colors of ArtEmboss® craft sheet metal, and in that case there should be separate patterns for each part.
Cut the pattern pieces out and lay them on the metal sheets.
Then trace around the patterns with the pointed end of an embossing tool and cut them out.
A rough cloth effect can be achieved for the angel's clothing by placing the clothing pieces over wire mesh or fun foam and pounding on it with the eraser end of a pencil, or using the metal tools like rolling pins to produce a soft, hammered look.
Decorative details such as facial features on the angel's face and floral patterns on the angel's clothing can be made with the pointed end of an embossing stylus.
You can also paint the details on the metal, or use the paint to highlight and accent the embossing.
To make wings, take sheets of copper craft wire mesh and trace wing patterns with a pencil; then cut them out.
Place the wings on a metal baking sheet, and heat each piece with a heat gun in order to create a patina finish.
By prolonging the heating in a particular area of the mesh you can obtain interesting color effects: first the copper color will turn to orange, then to rust color, then to red, then blue, and then to gold.
If you move the heat gun around you can create interesting patterns of color.
Let the wings cool.
A halo can be made from a long strand of brass wire.
Fold the wire in half and twist the two strands together, then wrap the twisted wire around a bottle with a diameter somewhat larger than the angel's head in order to shape it into a circle leaving a one-inch stem to fasten it to the back of the angel's head.
Spray an even coating of adhesive to the backs of the pieces and place the clothing and mesh wings in their correct positions on the angel's body.
Press the pieces together firmly to make a secure bond.
Glue the halo into position on the angel's head.
The angel's clothing can be enhanced with decorations, such as hearts, flowers, stars, or moon shapes cut out of different colors of craft metal sheets and glued to the angel's clothes.
Cut a piece of stiff craft wire to make a base for the angel (if it is to be a table centerpiece) or punch a hole in the top of the angel's head for a hanging wire (if it is to be a tree ornament).
First draw an angel, or cut one out of a magazine to use as a pattern.
Different parts of the angel's body - such as skin parts and clothing parts - can be made from different colors of ArtEmboss® craft sheet metal, and in that case there should be separate patterns for each part.
Cut the pattern pieces out and lay them on the metal sheets.
Then trace around the patterns with the pointed end of an embossing tool and cut them out.
A rough cloth effect can be achieved for the angel's clothing by placing the clothing pieces over wire mesh or fun foam and pounding on it with the eraser end of a pencil, or using the metal tools like rolling pins to produce a soft, hammered look.
Decorative details such as facial features on the angel's face and floral patterns on the angel's clothing can be made with the pointed end of an embossing stylus.
You can also paint the details on the metal, or use the paint to highlight and accent the embossing.
To make wings, take sheets of copper craft wire mesh and trace wing patterns with a pencil; then cut them out.
Place the wings on a metal baking sheet, and heat each piece with a heat gun in order to create a patina finish.
By prolonging the heating in a particular area of the mesh you can obtain interesting color effects: first the copper color will turn to orange, then to rust color, then to red, then blue, and then to gold.
If you move the heat gun around you can create interesting patterns of color.
Let the wings cool.
A halo can be made from a long strand of brass wire.
Fold the wire in half and twist the two strands together, then wrap the twisted wire around a bottle with a diameter somewhat larger than the angel's head in order to shape it into a circle leaving a one-inch stem to fasten it to the back of the angel's head.
Spray an even coating of adhesive to the backs of the pieces and place the clothing and mesh wings in their correct positions on the angel's body.
Press the pieces together firmly to make a secure bond.
Glue the halo into position on the angel's head.
The angel's clothing can be enhanced with decorations, such as hearts, flowers, stars, or moon shapes cut out of different colors of craft metal sheets and glued to the angel's clothes.
Cut a piece of stiff craft wire to make a base for the angel (if it is to be a table centerpiece) or punch a hole in the top of the angel's head for a hanging wire (if it is to be a tree ornament).
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