DEBORAHREAD.COM

Re-Organize the Studio -

2012-03-12T07:48:00.001-07:00

In an effort to prepare to start crafting again I needed to go up to my studio (was a lovely day Sunday - as high as 55 deg F and sunny ) with heaters on I had it up to 62 degrees - -
I needed to move things around and tidy up - when its cold you tend to just toss things and leave and get back to a warm house. I find I can spend more time re-organizing than I can crafting -

Moved my enamel table, wire cupboard and glass cutting tables further down to end of studio (got rid of a big wood lathe ) so that I could finally turn my work table sideways to give me more room to walk down the aisle.
Put away a bunch of things that were sitting on work table . put away a few other items as I moved things around. Still have a bit to do move overhead lights to match where tables have been moved to but that can be later. build rolling walls to host my hundreds of rubber stamps so I dont have to dig through boxes (just another re-organizing project )

Put together my Christmas gift from my daughter that had been sitting since christmas - too cold to put together - a new jewellery work bench that I so wanted -not sure where its going but I love it . this took me as long to put together as it did to move all the tables around -

Tonight I plan on tidying up more of the tables so that by the weekend I can sit down at my stations and start working again - daylight savings is nice to have a few hours of light after work - weather is supposed to be in the 40's this week so not too bad as long as I put on the heaters.

Excited about finally getting back to lamp working (usually have set up in the house but did not bring kiln and torch back down during winter)

Pics to follow tonight of studio - will give a tour

Getting back to business - Off too long - it's time to get back to crafting

2012-03-08T10:23:00.001-08:00

With travelling for work all last week and getting sick with Pneumonia - my last two weeks have generated no new cool crafts .

I had finished a bracelet and earrings for Etsy before I left but only just posted this week.

copper etch sectional bracelet with jump rings and magnetic clasp - I really like magnetic clasps

copper etched squares to match with sectional bracelet.

I noticed a lot of people visiting but not commenting on the Give-Away - you just have to post a comment at the bottom of the Give-Away page to be eligible- so dont miss out just go to bottom of the Give-away post and select comment.

GIVE-AWAY MARCH 2012 - COPPER ETCH BRACELET

2012-02-25T07:55:00.001-08:00

Since I will be extremely busy and traveling for a couple of days next week I thought I would post early

MARCH 2012 - GIVE-AWAY

1. Comment in the comment section -
Optional : follow my blog - join my followers and or follow by email so you do not miss any give-aways -
2.On March 31st midnight is deadline to comment
3.On April 1 I will put names in jar and randomly pull - and I will announce the winner and contact them for their address to ship
(no addresses will be posted) I will mail ground regular mail to you -

THERE IS NO CHARGE TO PLAY

This month:
One - Copper Etched with my NEW Zentangle heart pattern (which is available in rubber stamp form on etsy) I may make PnP etch sheets available for sale soon - would love your comments on that

Nice deep etch. It is a small - which means it was made from 18G 1" wide x 6" long solid copper. I etched my own design onto the copper and finished it with a dark patina and sealed it with Renaissance wax and buffed
Each bracelet is a signed piece (DREAD)

Side View

Front View

GIVE A WAYS - Something new

2012-02-22T09:31:00.000-08:00

MONTHLY GIVE-AWAY

I will be posting a monthly give-away (possibly moving it up to weekly depending upon response)

How it will work

On the 1st of each Month - Starting on March 1, 2012 I will post the item for the give-away.

All you have to do to qualify is post a comment. From your comment I will put names into a jar and pull one name - one entry per person but you can comment as many times as you wish. Cut off time is last day of the month at midnight. I will post the winner on the 1st of the month for the previous month Give-away. (sounds confusing but it will all work out ) before I post the new Give-away.

I will mail regular mail the item to the winner. I will post first and last name city/country on my blog of the winner.

The best way to stay informed about my site is using "Follow by Emai"l on the right hand side of the blog. When I put up a new post you will get an email and this way you can see what is being made and what might be coming up for the Give-away.

So join my blog and keep informed and you could win any number of items I will be making - this includes Bracelets, earrings, stamps, beads, resin kits etc.... !

Heart Zentangle Unmounted Rubber Texture Stamp- for Metal Clay, Polymer Clay, Scrapbooking, Prints

2012-02-22T07:24:00.000-08:00

It has arrived - and I've posted it up on Etsy
Its my new Zentangle full unmounted sheet - rubber texture stamp - that is full of hearts
I also received a new supply of Pattern 1 & 2 so I have topped up etsy as well on those stamps.
My next stamp may be zentangle animals but I just have to figure out what size - too big and you will not see them if you use metal clay - so I may just make small animals that are within 1" etc... but I never know what comes out of my pen .......

more resin slabs

2012-02-21T15:06:00.000-08:00

another blue slab (these take only 2-3 hours to become solid and pop out of tote) used a different tote to get a flat bottom.and is just a little over 6" for length - less waste. The red takes longer 24 hours more like the jewellery resin and then I can pop it out

will let cure for rest of the week before I cut up

New etched Square Earings.

2012-02-20T08:59:00.000-08:00

Was just playing this morning and cleaned up a couple of squares of etched copper left over from my bracelet
wanted matching earings.
just need the earring hooks

thinking of making a nice necklace to match

Resin Slabs for Pens

2012-02-20T08:57:00.000-08:00

So I was asked to make pens from my work resins - now these resins set faster than any of the jewelry resins and have color to them - our color is a blue - Part A is white and Part B is dark Blue and it makes a nice powder blue resin color. This resin sets within a couple of hours. I have two types once is a drain resin (blue) and a potable resin that goes in pipes (red) . Today I mixed the blue - I wanted to make a slab that was about 3/4 thick and at least 6" long so that I can cut it up into the pen blank and proceed from there.
I used those totes you can get at home depot for about .90 cents - best part is that once set I can pop it out and reuse the container to set another block.

Mixed and poured

put marks to fill too

sample of purchased resin pen blank

after 2 hours pops right out of tote.

will let it cure for a few days before I cut it up into blanks (as above) - will need to find a more flat mold but it does not matter on the pens as when I turn them on the lathe I loose most of the outside of the squared blank.

Learned how to turn wood pens at Lee Valley workshop

So the next step is to let cure - slice into blanks will post each step as I complete it

ETSY SHOWCASE - COPPER ETCHED BRACELETS ON SALE

2012-02-18T20:26:00.000-08:00

Etsy Showcase February 19, 2012 all day. Price has been reduced during the showcase.

If you are unable to purchase during the showcase - favour the item and use the contact seller email and I will hold the price for you.

There are about 11 cuffs on Etsy but I also have another 15 standing by - prepped for my upcoming TBS show

Re carding some fused pieces

2012-02-13T19:03:00.000-08:00

Another project that I have to do before my next show or possibly start putting up on etsy - was to re- card my pieces - I'm using pieces of wire but they keep falling out so I started redoing with some bead strings.

was told today that my heart texture stamps were shipped so I hope to see them end of the week and get them up on Etsy . I also ordered another 20 each of Pattern 1 and Pattern 2 as I am running out and want to be sure I am stocked up for Etsy - may have to buy more before the show for the end of May

Etched Copper Cuff Bracelet - Showcase on Etsy Feb 19th

2012-02-13T08:26:00.000-08:00

I will be having a Showcase on Etsy for my Etched Copper Cuff bracelets on Sunday February 19th
I've reduced the price down by 10.00 and thinking of giving free shipping so if interested in any of the cuffs - now is the time to check them out - Etsy store: http://www.etsy.com/shop/DeborahRead
Will be posting approx 15 more bracelets by the time the showcase is up and running.

Hadar Jacobson Metal Clay

2012-02-11T20:24:00.000-08:00

I've always used the PMC and Silver Clay but I just got my new mixed metal kit from Hadar Jacobson of Metal Clay - I have bronze and copper from the makers of PMC and still have not used it as well as other copper clay from Hadar Jacobson. ( I have all the charcoal and the containers but still have not tried it out) One of the great things is that the price of working in Copper and bronze is that the price is right - and I love the fact that the Hadar material is in powder form. As much as you can re-constitute the PMC clays I like the powder version as I do not have to make sure it does not freeze in my studio - (I bring all materials that may freeze back into the house for winter)
Here is her new pack - a mix which I cant wait to use - its all quick fire - Hardar Jacobson is coming to BeadFX at the end of March for a 3 day class that I have signed up for - so excited to finally learn how to fire this material -

Check out her website - http://www.artinsilver.com/
I want to make the Mokume cane - this kit with the variety of Bronze, Copper, Rose Bronze, Pearl gray steel and white bronze.

Finished Copper Etched Cuffs

2012-02-11T20:13:00.000-08:00

Finally finished the next batch of bracelet copper etched cuffs from last week. Patina and sealed and polished

Just have to pack them up and put on Etsy - Having a Showcase on the 19th and want as many as I can up in the store. Will be offering free shipping at least with a possible discount.

Went to Pyrography Class today - Woodburning

2012-02-11T20:10:00.000-08:00

So went off to Lee Valley today to take a basic Pyrography class - in english - woodburning
Took my 10 year old grand daughter along and she loved it
we started with practicing on a sample board to control the burner - playing with shading - which lead to filling it up completely

Then we transfered patterns of a rose and best of all played with coloured pencils and some turps to blend colors - was a lot of fun

the colored rose is mine and the plain burned one is my grand daughters who did a great job

We finished up with a welcome sign

all in all - a great fun day

New Square Sectional Etched Copper Bracelet

2012-02-06T16:11:00.000-08:00

Still sick but Last night put together the etched squares
Cleaned the etch off, used steel wool, domed the squares and put in the holes for the jump rings, put the jump rings on
Just have to finish the clasp - not sure whether it will be a lobster, hand made or a toggle. But pleased with the tester. I like the sectional bracelet.

WIP - Etched Copper Bracelets

2012-02-05T13:22:00.000-08:00

Going to do a Showcase on Etsy on the 19th so I want to finish more bracelets
The squares are going to be one but I am finished some of the regular cuffs

I'll be cleaning tonight and bending and they will join the existing WIP for getting a patina on and sealing hopefully by tomorrow

Staedtler vs Identi-Pen marker for etching

2012-02-05T13:15:00.000-08:00

I wanted to test out the markers for etching as well

Staedtler red is supposed to be one of the best but I wanted to try the Identipen -

As you can see the identipen worked better with the ferric - but I am going to do further testing just to be sure

Using the pen is one thing I need to do so I can make my copper beads and ensure the etch will not eat through the marker

What a mess - but I've got to start some where - Bracelets

2012-02-05T13:10:00.000-08:00

Well have been waiting for the energy to start working on something - anything- got out some copper pieces and bracelet blanks and went to work

Grabbed some squares and trimed the corners

Then using a fiber wheel cleaned up the edges for burs and rough areas

The put on the PnP etch

Currently they are in the Ferric Chloride etching

Going to make bracelets - connectors will be copper jump rings

PnP Blue new Zentangle sheets for etching copper

2012-02-01T16:22:00.000-08:00

Prepping for the weekend for some new copper etched bracelets and other items- New heart sheet (which is out being made into a rubber stamp) and another sheet I made a while back (but not into a stamp) Its hard to get a good picture of the PnP blue - its very dark

New Zentangle Full Sheet Stamp - ordered today

2012-01-27T08:06:00.000-08:00

Here is the new full sheet pattern I have sent in today to have a new stamp created - its about 3 weeks away from being put on Etsy. Its all about Hearts - will be the same price 23.00 plus shipping and will be on Etsy as soon as they arrive.
I do have others I'll be ordering but I'll break them up weekly over the next three weeks or more and post them as I order
Hope you enjoy the image - I'll be printing off some PNP blue to etch from this weekend and possibly some decal paper as well for fusing - I wonder if people would buy the PNP /decal per sheet ? I'll have to think about that.

I wish the weather was warmer I want to go to the studio to work - so much more room. But even with the heaters its still too cold to stay up there and work. I'll have to make sure I install that wood stove for next year. I look at it that only another 2 months and I should be back in the studio (with heaters) and I cant wait - I have so much stuff all over my kitchen counters and table and I have to put things away to ensure I have room.

Anyway - I'll make some etched pieces this weekend with the new heart pattern and wait with anticipation for my new rubber stamps.

I may use my my stamps to show you how to stamp dicroic glass with the pattern and use etch-all to etch the dicro off and then fuse this weekend so keep on blogging.

More New Zentangle Cuffs in the works

2012-01-23T20:27:00.000-08:00

Here are some new cuffs - no patina as yet - I'll wait to finish them all before making some liver of sulpher and then I wont waste it

More out of the etch tonight

Ill finish cleaning tomorrow and bend them into cuffs
Here are a couple of new pattern bracelets - Egyptian and one of a woman in a garden - the images will pop out once I put on the patina

And some butterflies - the small one I have domed to give some depth and I think I'll do the same with the large butterfly - I may enamel the big butterfly but I'll have to see

Back working again- New Zentangle Etched Copper Cuffs - and other Designs

2012-01-22T19:43:00.000-08:00

So being a bit lazy after Christmas and then catching some sort of flu - been sick for what seems forever - tired and sleepless and just recovering - started putzing around the kitchen
Started prepping some copper bracelet blanks- triming , filing and cleaning ready for resist

Shining up some silver spoons so I can make some rings - note the circled one - might be worth about 45.00 - may be a few finds in my stash

Prepped some of the blanks with etching resist - zentangle

Prepped some copper butterflies to see how they might turn out

and finally a couple of different patterns I tried out on the copper bracelet blanks

Some of the zentangles went into the ferric chloride , the butterlies and the two different patterns. I was cleaning before bed so I'll have them cleaned up tomorrow to bend into bracelets and put a patina on and should have pics - I will say that today I applied the PnP much better - just is probably the practice practice practice - getting better the more I use it.

Working on a new sheet of Zentangles - based on Hearts - I hope I finish this week and get the two new sheets to the rubber stamp maker so I can have before Valentines day to put up on Etsy . I'll post a pic of the sheet when finished.

New zentangle sheet -Pattern # 4

2012-01-12T13:29:00.000-08:00

Finished last night - takes me a few weeks as I do it while sitting watching TV- will be sending off at the end of the month to make into rubber stamp and I'll be making some PnP blue sheets up for new bracelet and pendant etched designs.

Rivets for Copper Pendants and Bracelets

2012-01-10T10:04:00.000-08:00

I did not post last night - too tired - have to get out of this funk I'm in.

Today I received my rivets from Beaducation (Beaducation.com) so that I can finally rivet (I could have used wire but wanted to see the purchased rivets) very excited and love them. Got Antiqued Brass, copper Aluminium in flat and round heads. The different colours to give a variation of colour against the copper .

This is from previous - I have ready to rivet. I still have to put holes and wanted to wait till they came so I could be more accurate . If I have time this week will finish it off.

When you purchase on the internet you tend to guess what you need e.g. size wise - sit with a ruler and figure out that the heck the size of these rivets are.
Here is a copper nail head 1/20" x 1/4" long compared to a Cdn Penny
gives you an idea of just how small they are - you get a pack of 100 for 5.15 so check out their website
beaducation.com

Not much being done.... must be the weather !

2012-01-08T18:04:00.000-08:00

It certainly must be the cold weather here that has me being extremely lazy. After a wonderful time with my daughter and granddaughters over Christmas then back to work I just have not really pushed to do anything crafty. I've managed cutting and cleaning new bracelet blanks to etch - but haven't etched. Buffed up some spoons .... but haven't bent them , buffed up some forks but haven't bent them, brought in my big glass fish to photograph....... well you get the drift. Most excitement I've had was pulling out the bread machine and making some super fresh bread with a new recipe that worked extremely well. So I promised myself now that I picked up my camera on the weekend to start to do some things and get them posted. So starting Monday night I'll have some more items to show.

Finally put Etched Zentangle Cuff Bracelets on Etsy

2012-01-04T11:46:00.000-08:00

No real camera at home so I had to take with my iPhone - they are not the greatest but needed to get some items up on etsy. Going to make more bracelets on weekend and make new zentangle sheets

No Camera yet - falling behind - fork bracelet and etched bracelets

2012-01-04T11:43:00.000-08:00

Well I am falling behind with pics and showing what I have finished
I am almost finished my next fork bracelet made with the forks I got off Ebay before Christmas - hope to make lots this weekend

Getting the hang of bending the tines and polishing them up. I make my own dichroic cabs

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL !

2011-12-31T16:55:00.001-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL - HOPE EVERYONE WILL HAVE A GREAT CRAFTY YEAR

New Pics coming soon - etched bracelets , spoon rings and fork bracelets

2011-12-30T20:26:00.000-08:00

I have been working on some more copper etched bracelets, spoon rings, fork bracelets but I forgot my camera at my daughters house - I hope to have back tomorrow so I can take some pics of what I have been doing (very little over the holidays) Truly in love with my GRS metal former, and I love the ease of the spoon bender for making the little rings. I'll show those as soon as I get my camera back home. I plan on putting some items up on etsy like my large Lampwork Fish and some of the Copper Etched Bracelets.

New Toy for my GRS Metal Former - the flat "C" Former Die

2011-12-20T07:14:00.000-08:00

Just got in the mail the Flat "C" former die for my GRS Metal Former - makes a perfect C each time
Hope to try it out soon

It fits onto the existing metal former

The base equpment does the rounded edges

The new one will leave them flat and straight

I also got my spoon bender for making rings with the ends of spoons - so cool cant wait to play with that either

This looks like fun - got the spoon bender off ebay - just type spoon bender there is a large one for bending the handle into bracelets and the small for the rings

Merry Christmas to all my Followers and Lurkers

2011-12-19T11:04:00.000-08:00

Its that time of year where I don't know if I'm coming or going. Not sure I'll have much time this week or this weekend with all the last minute running around for toys and goodies before Santa comes.

I would like to thank my followers and my lurkers for viewing my Blog. I do hope everyone gets something out of the tools, projects and suggestions that I have been posting.

I will be playing after Christmas for sure as I have time off between the 24th and Jan 1st so I am looking forward to making more projects and sharing them with you. I'll be adding items to Etsy and playing with more of the silver plating and copper bracelets.

Again - thank you all for joining me in my endeavours and a very Merry Christmas to you all.

Deb Read

Silver Plating Copper Zentangle Pieces - Pendants and Bracelets

2011-12-16T08:39:00.000-08:00

So tonight I pick up my detail wands - or brushes - I was asking if I could use the same plating solution with my plating pen that I have

- works the same - power source , clip to piece and use wand dipped in solution
and yes I can ! -

I am picking up. the detail wand pack tonight - three different tips - see which ones I want - they are only 3.00 for all three - with the plug n plate kit way cheaper than my pen plating wand and I got silver plate solution with the kit - had to buy the solutions separately for the other one.

So going to use and silver plate only the raised etched pieces on the copper to get a cool effect - I'll play with that tonight if I have time and get a pic up.

Silver Plating Copper - Silver Plated Zentangle Copper Pendant

2011-12-15T16:17:00.000-08:00

Well I broke open the Caswell Silver electroplating kit.
Very easy to use. Just wrap the bandage - comes with kit

- plug in and dip into small amount and start brushing on. Just follow instructions, keep brush moving etc.. after just clean up
here is a before and after pic

side by side with another copper piece - gives you an idea that it actually plated it
Here I cleaned up and polished

For Canada : http://www.caswellcanada.ca/

For USA: http://www.caswellplating.com/

They have all kinds of kits. Nickel, Silver, Copper, rectifiers cleaning and buffing materials a great place to shop.

Fork Find for Fork Bracelets

2011-12-15T16:11:00.000-08:00

I got a great find on ebay - 8 silverplated dinner forks - they are 7" in length - good length, and a beautiful pattern that I just adore - the more pattern the better for me. about 2.50 each including shipping which I thought was great.

So this weekend going to start on making some more bracelets.

Silver Plating Forks

2011-12-13T19:32:00.000-08:00

I wanted to see if I could re-plate some of the forks that I have - they are old and somewhat worn in spots and though that if I could re-plate then I could get a better shine

Caswell has re-plating solutions - the Silversmith has cyanide so you have to be careful when using but they also have another product Silverplater is cyanide free and just takes a bit longer to re-plate. Its a liquid you apply.

I also purchased the plug and plate silver plating kit they have to give a try. They run about 60.00 cdn.

Probably wont have time till the weekend to give them a try.

Caswell carries all kinds of plug and plate kits and carries supplies for copper electroplating

Fork Bracelet - 2nd attempt

2011-12-12T17:41:00.000-08:00

Well the only thing I did was flatten forks and clean them Sunday

I raced home today to go to the freezing shed (thats where my vice is and other tools that I needed to bend the fork) was not that cold (its about 42 F but I still wore my coat). Watched the video I ordered on how to make fork bracelets and attempted my second fork bracelet. Once bent into shape I brought it back to the warmth of the house and fitted the dichroic glass (which was harder to choose than bending the fork tines) that I make and glued it with the Tryloise UV Glue

I still have to do the final polish after the glue dries.

This is for my sister who has patiently waited for me to make her a fork bracelet with Dichro for 12 years !

I think a way better attempt than the first fork bracelet I made - more flare with the fork tines.

New Toy - GRS Metal Forming Press - for bracelets

2011-12-10T18:47:00.000-08:00

I picked up my new GRS Metal Forming press - Its for making /bending bracelets and as much as it looked cool its even better in real life .

I didn't have any blanks etched to try so I just did up a quick blank (filed and sanded the corners) and gave it a try - didn't really take my time just wanted to try it out -

Havnt read all the instructions about using the different heads and the actual press bed that can me melted to fit the form (I'll figure that out later )

Came out pretty nice - really tight and impressed with the unit -

I took one of my zentangle and did it too. even preformed can be reworked .

I like the flat work but this is even nicer finish to the bracelet - this is a very suttle bend - I need to read a bit more about the tin bed as it can be heated and reformed. There is no deformity when pressing as the bed is made of tin a very soft material . There is a flat former head accessory that I want to get too as it will make bending easier and more even.

Just Resin - My own Jewellery Resin

2011-12-06T07:08:00.000-08:00

Some know that I developed my own jewellery resin line for sale. I manufactured my own that is a clear resin. Although I am not "pushing" the sales as much as I should - I though I should post it once in a while.

Free e-books for ideas on making resin jewellery
http://www.eti-usa.com/books/books.htm

I also recommend the Shari Haab Resin book

I have used with Polymer clay to make faux dichro

to glaze over polymer clay as a sealer to give a nice capping

for use as caps for picture frame charms

embed transparencies onto ceramic blanks

so many uses

It is sold in a few sizes - the main is the kit that includes measuring cups and stir sticks and a few of the picture frame charms to start you off. Check out the videos on the sidebar and my website for more information.

http://www.deborahread.com

Sealing and Finishing the Copper Etched Cuff

2011-12-05T09:03:00.000-08:00

I used the Renaissance wax as a sealer - applied let set and then buffed.

Is great for woodworking as this is why I had in the first place (made wood pens) It is a synthetic wax derived from petroleum and popular.

But I also had a sealer that I made when I was making other metal jewellery that I made myself - very easy and works just as well as a sealer.

You get some white beeswax pellets and mix with Acetone.

Just put your pellets into a container and slowly pour some acetone over the wax - and it will melt it - just mix and voilà you have a paste wax to put on your metal for finishing. I f it dries out you just add a bit more acetone to reconstitute it .

More 1" Zentangle Copper Etched Cuff Bracelets

2011-12-04T18:34:00.000-08:00

I make more today - only I made the small size (6") and one large size (7") etched bracelet

These ones I did with liver of sulphur - not sure if I like it or not - I do like the shiny coppery look

So now I have Small, Med and Large bracelets made

Finished 1" Copper Zentangle Etched Cuff Bracelets

2011-12-03T10:32:00.000-08:00

Finished today (and finished the step by step )

Step by Step: Making a Copper Etched Cuff Bracelet

2011-12-02T18:41:00.001-08:00

Revision Date: 2-17-12

STEP BY STEP COPPER ETCHED CUFF BRACELET
I will use this Post to update the step by step

Since I got my bracelet blanks and I am starting to make some etched bracelets I thought I'd start a step by step- I will keep updating this step by step as I learn new things

STEP 1
Get yourself some 18g Copper or an 18g copper blank
sizing is dependant upon your wrist size.
Standard length sizes - 6" for Small 6.5" for Medium and 7" for large
For my sample its 6.5"
My copper blank is 18g 1" wide by 6.5" long

If you cant get locally then Metalliferous in NY has them pre cut and for sale at a very reasonable price

STEP 2
I want to make the bracelet comfortable and not have sharp corners so I take my metal shears and nip the corners. Since copper is very soft its very easy to cut.

You can cut the corners

Or you can just file the corners - this is faster - but if you want a deep angle corner its just as easy to cut and file. I did some with cut corners and some with just filing the corners of the copper- you do not have to be exact as you can file to correct an over cut.

STEP 3
With the corners cut I want to smooth them out. I use a large file. You do not have to apply much pressure as again the copper is soft. Gently start to file the corers - follow the length of the blank and start to smooth the corners. Apply a little pressure and smooth. Use the file to file the edges and top.

watch your fingers - you may accidently over file and hit a finger - best way is to put one of those leather finger guards on or that self sticking material (like 3m vetwrap) on the fingers just to save them from that extra hit by the file

I now use a Foredom Bench Motor to buff off the burs and clean up the copper edges - using a fibre wheel - works wonders and makes the edges crisp and clean

see how nice and smooth and clean the edges are

STEP 4
Take some steel wool I like 0000 but all I could find this week was 000 which will work just fine. Work the edges and surface of the copper. You will notice the steel wool takes any burs and sharp edges off the blank and shines and cleans the surface.

when all finished they are ready for putting the etch resist on

I like to make quite a few up and then start to put the etch resist on

STEP 5
Prepare your PnP Etching paper with your design. In my case I have my Zentangle patterns

STEP 6
Put your PnP blue resist- face up on a cutting mat or something similar. Place your blank on the design and cut around it.

You do not have to do it this way - but I find if I have less overhang - I have more control over the resist when applying .

STEP 7
Take some windex and clean one side of the blank. ( you can clean the whole thing but we will do that again later) Try not to put your fingers on the side your going to apply the PnP resist. Oils from your fingers can affect the adhesion

STEP 8
Take your cut out PnP and lay it face down on the cleaned side of the blank.

as you can see I have finger prints on the metal - I would clean with windex or buff again with my steel wool

very little or no overhang. More control on the resist

STEP 9
Some people like to take a sheet of paper or a thin cloth between the iron and the PnP resist
I've done both - I find a sheet of unwaxed wax paper works the best for me it keeps it from melting the plastic and gives a little more control when using the iron. I use the max on the iron (before I was almost at high but found after trial and error that the high worked best with this iron)

What I have is an inexpensive Black and Decker iron that I bought just for this purpose. That way I dont have any build up of iron sprays etc..

Apply the iron and hold down and heat up. I let it sit for about 45 seconds, Go over it for a few minutes. I rub the edges etc... and watch where the holes are in the iron and they may not have enough pressure ifyou just sit it down on the piece. Once complete put to the side to cool

STEP 10- very important
Do not remove PnP resist until it is completely cooled.

Once cooled remove.

If you have applied properly the areas that were black will have transfered to the Blank and be blue. I f there are areas that did not stick you can fix with a sharpie marker, Identi-pen but I like a product called Stop Out. which guarantees me proper resist.

STEP 11 Fixing resist: An easy to apply resist with a pen nib or a brush.- Got this at curry's art supplies they had to order in but it only took a few days.

At this point we have our blank prepared with our etching resist.

STEP 12 Preparing your Ferric Chloride (I am checking out electro etching as well and will put it in this step by step when I actually do it )

Today I change my container to a glass one (that has a lid - its a baking dish that has a plastic cover- but I used plastic wrap to seal it to ensure no evaporation when I store it ) I decided I wanted to try fresh acid and also heat it. To heat it I got out my electric fry pan and put it to warm
They say the heat should not exceed about 135 deg F.
So I Poured my acid into the glass container and turned up to warm on the dial

STEP 13 Apply the packing tape (regular packing tape) to the back of the blank (you are sticking to the side without the resist.) I like using the hand held - then I dont have it sticking to itself while I'm fumbling for scissors or a knife - I put little tabs on the ends so I can grab them when putting into and taking out of the pan. I plan on getting some of that self sticking shelf paper to put onto the backs and use the packing tape to suspend so that my backs do not accidently get etched - also going to try some waxes etc... will let you know here if they work .

STEP 14
Once the tape is on we put it into the ferric chloride face down - you want it just at the surface either just touching or just under the surface to ensure its touching the ferric chloride - but dont let it touch the bottom.

I did four sets (I'll probably get my bigger tray so I can do about 8 at a time.) I did get a bigger tray and now make 8 at a time .
I left it for only 1 hour and checked it becaue this was fresh acid and I was heating - something new (make sure you wear gloves this stuff stains your fingers badly) and sure enough fresh acid and heat had already started the etching process. I ended up leaving for only 2 hours. cut down from 8-9 hours - makes a difference

STEP 15
You can check your process every once in a while to see how far it has etched and depending on what you want you can leave it longer for deeper etch. etc..
When ready - carefully take out of the acid bath and rinse straight away - my sink washed directly to the outside and not into my septic. You will have to figure out how you want to deal with rinsing.

Nice deep etch.. The PnP blue is still on the blank.

To finish the rinsing you must neutralize the acid on the blank -

a little baking soda diluted in water and rinse the blanks.

STEP 16 - remove the PnP blue with Acetone (You can remove the tape glue as well)

You can use paper towel or a rag - rag is better as the etch is going to rip the paper towel as you clean

Finish cleaning the front

STEP 17
Cleaning the back
Using Goo Gone will take away all the adhesive from the tape. (acetone will work too)

I just pour a little on each blank and rub with my finger tip (I'm in gloves)
Let it sit for a minute and the wipe off.

STEP 18
Cleaning up
I take my steel wool and start with the back and clean it up and get it back to a shiny finish
Then I work on the front and the sides - if the sides have some sharp edges from etching just take your file and clean up and then the steel wool.

All cleaned up

STEP 19 - options
we can seal or patina now or later - I like later after I have formed the bracelet.

Forming the bracelet
you can use forming pliers or a wood bracelet mandrel and rawhide hammer

I preform with the pliers and then use my oval wooden bracelet mandrel and rawhide hammer to form

But then I got my GRS Forming Tool - I LOVE THIS TOOL

BASIC

ADD ON FLAT

LOVE THE CURVE AND EASE OF USE

STEP 20A
Electro Plating

If you want to add some additional colour to your copper you can elecctro plate - Caswell has great small kits for electroplating (they are in both Canada and USA)

in this case I did some silver

STEP 20B
Patina and finishing
I used the Gilders Paste Copper to finish - using a rag apply and make even coat and let dry for an hour

I also used liver of sulphur - gel (was first time I tried it ) was nice to work with - still stinks LOL

in hot water add and mix - add a little ammonia (helps make some nice rainbow colours on the metal)

dip and then clean - I used sandpaper/steel wool to clean up

darkens the deep etched areas and the sandpaper/steel wool lightens the high spots . This you will have work on to your liking

STEP 21
Finish by buffing and sealing (see gilders paste instructions)

I found I like the Renaissance wax the best - apply a coat to inside and top of bracelet and edges - let dry

I use a dremel with a felt buff and they come up shiny and beautiful

I also make my own wax that is similar to Renaissance wax by using beeswax pellets and naptha (you can get naptha at home depot in a tin) you put pellets into container and pour the naptha over and it melts it. Makes a great sealer for metal.

1" Copper Bracelet Blanks for etching and Other Uses

2011-12-01T15:20:00.000-08:00

Just picked up the 1" wide bracelet blanks
1" x 6", 1" x 6.5" and 1" x 7"
I wanted a thinner one so that I can use the GRS Bracelet former when it comes in - Going to do some etchng this weekend. Can be used for etching, enamelling and I can use them for anodes for my electroforming, cutting them into shapes etc.. so none will go to waste - again I had them cut them for me in this case same 10.00 charge I got the same sq ft of copper but I had them cut even smaller which means the cutting per piece was only .07 cents per piece - clean edges and exactly straight

with my other 2" wide blanks

Ring Bender - for Spoons and Forks

2011-12-01T15:14:00.000-08:00

Could not resist - the same seller on ebay also had a ring bender that you can bend spoon and fork handles into rings.

I've got a lot of spoons in my stash so looking forward to using them up as well maybe putting some dichro on it as well - maybe

Etching Dichroic Glass for Fusing

2011-11-30T16:27:00.000-08:00

I like to etch some glass as well
I take the stamp pad that is a resist and stamp onto the dicroic piece I will be fusing

I like the white as I can see it better but any of the Staz on opaque colours will work.

Let dry
then put a covering of etching cream on the piece - this can be tricky as some dichro takes seconds others a minute or two to etch into the dichro.

I didn't get to finish tonight and I might wait till the weekend and I'll enter the next steps and the finished items in this blog
But you can bet I'll be doing some of the zentangle stamps this weekend and etching them onto the Dichro and fusing them. Should be interesting

Starting a Fork Bracelet

2011-11-30T16:23:00.000-08:00

I just had to try a couple of bends - love the video was real helpful
Too cold at the studio so I'll wait till the weekend to play further - plus all my polishes that would freeze were in the house
So - to be continued.......

My Stash of Flatware for Fork & Spoon Jewelery

2011-11-30T16:21:00.001-08:00

My stash of an assortment of Forks and Spoons that I have accumulated about 10 years ago with the intent of making fork and spoon jewelery

Making Bracelets- Spoon bending tool

2011-11-30T12:21:00.000-08:00

My 1" 18g Copper blanks are on order and should have by Friday to share
I got my How to Make Fork Braceletes DVD today and it had items I knew I would have to do and few cool tips on bending and prepping the bracelet. A great tool it had in the video was a "Spoon Bender" This little item is cool and I ended up buying on Ebay today . Some might think a bit pricy but think its worth it - think about the time to run around and find all the parts and this way its all put together and will work without testing. I think I would spend more in gas and time finding all the right parts -
Here is pic and the link to get one. (or just type spoon bender in ebay) I'm going home to find my stash of forks
(and I know exactly where they are in my studio for a change) I bet I bought them 10 years ago. I'll put up a pic tonight.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SPOON-BENDER-Make-Your-Own-Silver-BRACELET-Bead-Gem-Jewelry-Craft-Flatware-Art-/130597994228?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e683f3ef4#ht_500wt_1282

Copper Bracelet Blanks - for Etching

2011-11-29T15:33:00.000-08:00

I picked up my copper bracelet blanks from the metal shop tonight
I had them cut as they only charge 10.00 for shear cutting the sheet for me
so that works out to (10.00/75 each ) about .14 each (well worth my time) as they cut straight and the edges are clean to start with.
So I have 25 x 6" 25 x 6.5" and 25 x 7" giving me a range for small, medium and large bracelets and more than enough to keep me busy over the winter months.

I think the next batch will be 1" or maybe 1.25" wide in the same lengths. I also have a GRS Bracelet Former coming -

Blurb on GRS Bracelet Former

Shapes flat strips of metal to a perfect "C" shape after you’ve engraved your designs.
eatures a soft alloy die seat that supports pressure from the die without distorting your engraving work (die seat can be reformed by heating when necessary).
imple to use: place one end of stock under the die, press down on the handle, and work stock through the former, shaping until you create the desired "C" shape.

Includes two different fixed punches and one adjustable die cavity to form bracelets measuring 0.25"–1.25" in width. Recommended for 0.030"–0.080" thick soft metals such as gold, silver and copper. Made in USA.

Did I mention a company called located in Etobicoke has some items like Rio Grande for Jewelry Making - great place to order from.

I'm falling behind on making and testing items as I'd like to keep my blog going with at least as many as there are days in the month. I'll have to come up with another few before the end of tomorrow.

Fork Bracelet with Dichroic Glass - 1st attempt

2011-11-29T15:21:00.000-08:00

Ok- so I have not received my "How to make fork bracletes" DVD yet and I so want to try my hand at making one.

I took a fork and decided I'd give it a try .

Not the nicest (needs some finishing to grind out dents from pliers) but it gave me an idea of how hard it was to bend the tines of the fork, form/bend the handle, played at buffing -finally set up my Foredom bench motor properly with buffs and did some buffing to bring up the shine.

I used one of my fused dicroic pieces. I am somewhat pleased- used a piece of copper pipe to bend the tines down to 90 degree and then used some round nose pliers to turn the ends - now I am really anxious for the DVD to arrive to see what tools and tips to use to easily make a fork bracelet.As you know if you use the right tools and are given some tips - it makes the process easier.

My sisters days of waiting for one may be over !

More Etched Copper - tree of life and Zentangle

2011-11-27T20:02:00.000-08:00

While I was doing my bracelet I also had a few other pieces etching at the same time.
I used the copper coloured Gilders paste to seal them ( I need a new camera to get better images - they look much nicer than they are here - brighter/shinnier)

Close ups

Zentangle Etched Copper Cuff - Tester

2011-11-27T15:53:00.000-08:00

Here is finished bracelet - I get to keep as its not perfect I was quick to cut and etch so its not perfect (its the only way I get to keep something)

How I made it :
My order of copper sheet has not come as yet but I did have some copper in the studio ( I have a lot of copper in the studio - probably didn't need to order)

Its 18g but its 6" x 12" which means I need to cut it.
I measured out the length I wanted - 6-1/2" x 2 " (used a metal pin to score the metal - nail will do as well) and I cut using a small metal shear (I have no idea where I bought but I bought it in the USA when I lived there 7 years ago) just google metal shear - they run under 200.00 but well worth it when cutting straight pieces of metal. And I hate cutting with a hand saw.

I took the piece and trimmed the corners (nipped the corners off with metal hand shears) then used a file to file down the edges and round out the corners.

I then traced out the shape and cut my PnP zentangle sheet. I cleaned the copper piece with 0000 steel wool and cleaned that with windex after (keeping my fingers off the surface) I then ironed on the PnP zentangle pattern to the metal. Let it cool and then took the PnP plastic off. I had a couple of areas I touched up using the StopOut I mentioned in one of my earlier posts to touch up any spots that had missing resist.

I put packing tape on the back of the metal piece and made sure it was secure and then suspended it into the Ferric Chloride (just suspend on the surface)

Left it for about 8 hours (my solution is weakening and I'm not using heat - but I had all day )

Took out of etch and washed off (make sure you wear gloves it stains the hands) neutralized with baking soda.

Took goo gone to the back to clean off the sticky residue from the tape and then used acetone to clean off the PnP blue from the front.

So now its cleaned up and I need to bend - I have bracelet forming pliers (but I want to find something that will bend even easier and I've got a Cindy's bracelet bender coming) but these worked well

Once formed I can apply the finish (I didnt not want to 'bite' into the finish when I was forming) pre finish - bent

finished with bronze gilders paste (seals the metal and colors it. I did dap the back with a texture hammer.
Both sides I did with the gilders paste.

Copper Zentangle Etched Cuff Bracelets

2011-11-24T03:28:00.000-08:00

I've ordered my 18g sheet and hope to have for next week so I can start making some etched zentangle copper cuffs as Christmas presents. Over the years (at least 12) I've always wanted to do Fork and Spoon bracelets using my dicroic glass cabs and I ordered a DVD on it - so will be interested to see how to finally make them. I bought a lot of old silverware for the task and its just been sitting. Site where I got the dvd:
http://www.makingforkbracelets.com/
My sister was with me when we first saw them at a craft show in Avalon/Stone Harbour one summer and has asked every Christmas since - were's my bracelet. So setting up some projects to do before Christmas. At Christmas I have 9 glorious days off of which 7 are for playing. So looking forward to this.

More copper etched Zentangle and other items - Fixing resists

2011-11-20T17:23:00.000-08:00

I've only had time to do a few new items with etching
More zentangle - and another tree of life
Have not had much time and its colder at the studio these days - just moving items that will freeze into the house and then work inside during the winter. (I hope)

Once the items are etched and I have washed the ferric chloride off and removed them from the tape - I neutralize them and wash again. (wear gloves or you end up with discoloured finger tips )
The PnP Blue is still on the pieces -

I use some acetone and a paper towel and wipe the blue off

at this point you decide how to seal
I've used my resin to seal that nice bright copper color
but there is also Gilders Paste - its a wax that you can get in various colors. you apply and buff
(I have to check something out about making my own as I have used my own mix that I take beeswax pellets and acetone and mix and create a soft wax and have used on my pieces in the past - now I am wondering if I can use some colors to mix into it like metallics etc.. - another day)

Using the paste wax you seal your pieces

I did mention I would let you know how I deal with imperfect resists - where the PnP did not stick, spots that did not adhere etc..

I use a product called Stop Out - got it at curry's art supplies - they will order it in for you. You can use a brush or even an ink nib to draw or touch up your pieces. Lots of uses. Acetone clean up.

Here are a couple I fixed for future etching- You don't have to be neat - if you go over line you can scratch off.

Zentangle Pattern #1 - at Etsy

2011-11-17T06:06:00.000-08:00

I now have both patterns up on Etsy if you type Zentangle Rubber they will come up
Already sold 5 of each before I even got them up on Etsy so I could only post 15

Now Available on Etsy Pattern # 1

Etched Copper and Chain Maille Necklace

2011-11-16T08:41:00.000-08:00

So I wanted to check out the etched copper with a Byzantine Chain Maille Necklace I had made

Going to be making more of these - The Ringinator is going to get a workout soon and I'll be etching more copper as I go along - building up for the spring ! But now that I actually posted to Etsy maybe I"ll be selling more on line items.

The Pattern #2 is up on Etsy for 23.00 plus tax and shipping (tax only applies to Ontario Residents)

Evidently takes a few hours to process but eventually you should be able to find if you type

Zentangle Unmounted Rubber stamp - I hope !

I accidently deleted my pic of the the #1 pattern so it will have to wait till tonight to get listed

NEW shipment of Zentangle unmounted Rubber STamps

2011-11-15T08:37:00.001-08:00

Just got the new shipment in

Will be posting them on Etsy tonight - only 20 of each pattern available - 23.00 plus shipping Cdn. and I know at least 10 people who want them so I hope they last a week or so -

Etched Copper Zentangle Pendant - sealed with Resin

2011-11-14T16:20:00.000-08:00

Forgot about this item - dry now and looks great
Sealed the copper at its brightest and will not tarnish - used a foam brush to applied to both sides and set it in the trivets that touched the sides only. I love the reticulation from the etching.

More- etched copper with PnP Circuit Board Transfer Film

2011-11-14T16:07:00.000-08:00

I did etch more items on the weekend but I just cleaned the PnP blue off tonight before really cleaning them up
You can rub and scrub it off with steel wool but its easier if you use a paint thinner - in my case I used some acetone I have for other reasons. Got it at Home Depot

These items are just cleaned with the acetone for now and then I will clean them up before I use them
The PnP gives a really nice crisp line I can count on when etching.

The round ones are calling for a center punch and add ons.

The tree of life I think I'll put some holes at the bottom and put some things to dangle

Reverse Zentangle texture stamp for clay

2011-11-14T07:36:00.000-08:00

I rolled out some clay the other day when I was making my hearts and connectors - was just playing to see samples of the unmounted rubber stamp on clay.

Decided I wanted a reverse stamp /texture plate - can do this with polymer clay as well.

I rolled it out and stamped the whole sheet - I did not watch as closely as I should have while drying so its not perfectly flat - but I can stamp from various sections. plus I want to use it as a mold for firing glass - I'll coat it with primer etc... but I'm ahead of myself (the brain just keeps on trying for new ideas to use this for)

Here is the bisque reverse texture stamp for clay or for molding glass ( I will make shapes and put on top and let them melt - of course you have to use a primer like Primo to ensure it does not stick ) so should be doing that soon- will have to use my bigger fusing kiln as this is 8-1/2 x 11 in size and I can place a lot of pieces on the one sheet for fusing on - There is also the glass clay I have that I may finally use for something.

From Full Sheet Unmounted Zentangle Rubber Stamp - Bisque Hearts, Connectors

2011-11-14T07:29:00.000-08:00

Fresh from the kiln - Bisque hearts and Connectors made from my unmounted zentangle rubber stamp.

Close ups to see nice detail - will try various colours and effects rather than just black and white this time.

Etched Copper

2011-11-13T17:14:00.000-08:00

I took the etched pieces and cleaned them up using the 0000 steel wool

The first one I painted a resin coating on

That should keep the shiny coat

The next ones I used the Gilders paste to seal them

Cant really see some of the colours or the shine it gives. Need to get a new camera. But you can see the deep etch I am getting. I still prefer the PnP Blue iron on material to the transparency - its consistent to get the resit ont and makes clear images.

What I eventually want to do is create backgrounds to rivet on. Here is one I used a textured hammer - the pieces are not riveted on yet as I'm not sure what what I really want to do. And I am thinking about rivets and small screws and nuts.

Zentangle Etched PnP - cleaned pieces

2011-11-13T02:11:00.000-08:00

Yup got up at 4:00 a.m. and out to the studio - it was 9 hours - but that does not mean I leave it 9 hours every time. Dependant upon fresh chemical, if I added citric acid, if I aerate it etc.. you normally would keep an eye on it and I don't always do the get up in the middle of the night - although it just mean I'm excited to get something done and see what the results are - I like those days

Cleaned up pieces (note that I also neutralized in baking soda) I used a dremel with a copper head brush and got the coolest patina - cleaning with the brush created some heat and the copper makes this really cool purply patina. Once I use the steel wool to clean more it will be gone. I can use these to enamel with, rivet other pieces onto or just create a pendant - put a hole to the top for a simple pendant. But I will want to seal them. I guess I could seal them now with a cover coat of clear (or resin) and keep the colors... or use the black enamel to highlight the lines like in a regular zentangle pattern, or use the coloured wax sealers called Gilders Paste - so many options.....- we will see ..... I will be making more

Th PnP does put a better resist on the copper

Zentangle Etching - Using PnP Blue Paper

2011-11-12T17:44:00.000-08:00

The PnP paper is used as a resist for etching Circuit Boards but can be used as a metal resist as well.
Here is what the paper looks like. Its vibrant blue - and the one side is dull and you can scrape the blue off the plastic backing.

You can print anything you want on the paper - I like to fill it up and in this case with my Zentangle pattern.
I take my copper stamping and cut around it to get my piece for ironing on .

You put the black toner face down onto the copper blank

Using an iron (same as with the transparency toner) you iron it onto the copper. Same instructions. Heat up and burnish with edge of iron. But its not as much work as the transparencies and does not take quite as long and the image left is very dense.

Hard to see here but its a deep navy blue.

I made up some and put them into the larger Ferric Chloride bath using packing tape and the resist side down into the bath. You don't have to submerge, you can just make them touch the surface.

So now I have to wait - I did the transparency ones for about 5 hours - I think I'll leave these ones for longer - may be all night - I have left stuff too long and it virtually ate it away so I may have to set my clock and get up for 2 or 3 am - why so long... old used ferric chloride - I have fresh but I'll just use this up. I could add citric acid and put an aerator (like the kind for fish tanks ) to move the ferric chloride and it would help to speed things up.

Pic of what the pages looked like after cutting - still more pieces can be used for another time.

Zentangle Etching with Transparencies and Laser Printer - Results on Copper

2011-11-12T17:34:00.000-08:00

The toner resist works - more work than the PnP (I'll show the PnP next) but it does work
Have not really cleaned them up but enough that I took off the resist so you can see the raised work- although I like the rustic patina look. Now I would like a deeper etch as then I can also use them for enamelling and colouring with resin.

cleaned pieces - The transparencies work but it is more work- If I had left longer would have been a deeper etch.

Zentangle Etching - Trying out Transparency Toner Transfer as resist

2011-11-12T12:06:00.000-08:00

I was reading a book I got on Anodized Aluminium - (I so want to do this) and there was a section where they used a Transparency - through a laser printer (ink jet wont do) I've been using PnP Blue and they are fairly expensive per sheet - have to order - transparencies you can get at staples or any stationary store.

I made a few transparencies when I made the first Zentangle sheet for Decals, and rubber stamps so I thought I'd give it a try.

I have Copper stampings (from Thompson Enamels and from Metaliferous) that I use for my enamelling so I got a few of those out, some steel wool (0000), exacto knife, and my iron.

I got the transparency and cut out the shape of my copper piece - you can cut a big piece - I just did not want to waste any of the transparency.

You want to take your steel wool and clean one side of the copper/silver - you need to clean off any oils - including those from your hands -

You will do it one more time or wait till after you cut out your transparency - but long as you do it just before putting the transparency on the copper and ironing it on.

Cut out your piece

Be sure to position on copper Blank

Heat your iron up on about medium - you do not want too hot to melt the transparency
You may have to play with this part as everybody has a different iron - no steam
Place the flatest part of the iron right on the piece and push down for about 30 seconds. This should make it adhere to the copper.
Keep the heat on it and pushing down. let sit 30 seconds pushing down and use the edges almost like burnishing. WAIT FOR IT TOO COOL- ITS HOT
The first attempt I think my iron was not high enough and I did not push down or burnish enough - so you can see all the toner did not stick.

In my second attempt I did all above - pushed down, burnished and let sit on top for 30 seconds at a time and kept the iron moving over and burnishing with the edges.

This one is nice and dark - couple of spots that look light but I'll show how to fix next time.

Here is what the transparency looks like after you peel off

Then I prepared the copper by putting a strip of packing tape on the back - running my nail around the edge so that it would stick and then put into a bath of Ferric Chloride (Radio Shack in U.S.A I have access to chemical company here in Canada and got samples ) Once you see it is deep enough take out - and I would suggest using gloves take the copper piece and rinse under cold water. Take off the tape and dip the piece in a mix of water and baking soda to neutralize the acid. Use goo gone to take off the sticky backing from the tape. Clean with steel wool - you can also pickle to clean it up.

Made another

Both are in the etch - I'll visit in about 1 hour to see how they are doing. Depending on the strength of your etch it can take a short or a long period to etch - you just have to keep watching how deep you want it.
So far been 3 hours - its etching but its not as deep as I want yet. So I'll keep going till its deep enough

+

Full Sheet Unmounted Zentangle Rubber Texture Stamp - with Clay

2011-11-12T11:42:00.000-08:00

I said I was sold out - but I did get to keep one sheet of unmounted texture sheet.
I got to finally try it out with clay today : The clay should not be too wet and I used it with my slab roller - but a rolling pin will do- I am going to make a nice reverse image clay block that I can use as well for stamping.

I took some cutters and started cutting out the shapes from the sheet of clay

On Break

2011-11-12T03:30:00.000-08:00

This week I have taken a break - show is finished , winters coming so I decided to take a break
Now that the weekend is here I have to finish winterizing for the horses and prepare for the snow. Had a bit yesterday morning for a surprise - down in the city they had nothing - typical. So a few chores today and then I can get back to playing and preparing for the spring show. So I should have more step by steps and hopefully some video to back it up.

I have more zentangle rubber stamps coming - sold out at show - and I'll be putting them on etsy
So blog with you all soon.

TBS Show was great

2011-11-07T09:16:00.000-08:00

Had a great time at the TBS (Toronto Bead Society Show) Many of my regular customers were back and it was great to meet new ones.

My booth was chuck full of things even though I thought I had not finished items I wanted to bring - more lampwork, and fusing. Pic of my booth - appoligize was extremely sunny and bright and its an iPhone pic.

While standing around I took one of the white ceramic blanks (see lower middle of booth pic) and started zentangleing - I figured I could use the same marker and just put a cover coat over - or evidently you can find a marker called identapen by Sakura that is permanent and will not smudge

The blank is sitting on top of my new rubber stamp texture mats - SOLD OUT but I placed an order today for another 20 of each pattern (two so far)

Full Sheet Rubber Zentangle Stamps for PMC, Clay , Stamping etc.

2011-11-04T13:31:00.000-07:00

They just came in - so excited - will be selling at show
8-1/2 x 11 full rubber unmounted sheet - two different zentangle patterns - great for clay, pmc, stampbooking etc.

Pattern 1

Nice deep rubber etch for clear images - each sheet sells for 23.00+ tax (if applicable) + shipping - if interested email and I can work through paypal with you - Create reverse images with polymer clay and clay.

Pattern 2

Zentangle Fused Glass from Silk Screened Glass Sheets - Black and White

2011-11-04T03:49:00.000-07:00

Did some fused pieces last night -Black outline on clear over white- last items I'll be making before the TBS show this Saturday and Sunday

Fired Painted Glass Sheet Pieces

2011-11-03T06:21:00.000-07:00

I cut up the sheets of glass that I silk screened my zentangle pattern on .

When cutting its hard to cut through the ink as its only dry on the surface and still susceptible to being scrapped off. You need to cut the back so you get a good clean cut and the easiest way is put a sheet of wax paper down (of course you could do it by hand and very carefully ) on your cutting board and pull the sheet along - this keeps it from scratching the dried glass paint. I cut into squares that are suitable for my beads or fusing

As you can see the painted side is up and is dull when dry.

Then I put face up in the kiln and its set for 1232 deg F for firing the Reusche Glass paint- Why 1232 - well I know that at 1232 my paint melts just right in the kiln that I am using - remember all kilns are not exactly alike and you need to test - I know this paint melts between 1150 and 1250 so I just watched and set my kiln to that max of 1232 sort of inbetween and as long as its glossy its melted.

After firing they are shiny black

Turned over (as they are reversed painted)

I will take these and either put on lampwork beads or fuse them onto a white background - now they are fired I can stack them and not worry about the image becoming scratched

Ceramics out of the kiln - Finished Zentangle painted Beads - Screened Glass for fusing

2011-11-01T20:13:00.000-07:00

Ceramics out of the kiln

Butterflies

SnowFlakes

Leaves

Autumn Leaves

Celtic pendants

Leaf Pendants

Finished Zentangle Black & White painted Beads

Screen Printed (dried it has dull finish) glass that I will cut up tomorrow and fire

New Zentangle Lampwork Painted Beads

2011-11-01T03:51:00.000-07:00

From same silk screened glass sheets - cut up , fired and then applied to hot bead
7 more from last night

The ceramics I painted last night still too hot to take from kiln so wont get pics till tonight (late) Pottery night so wont be posting till about 11pm
I am amazed that I did more than 31 posts for October - means I was busy - yeah - gotta keep doing that - hope I am enthusing other artists as well. After the show more time to make how to movies and step by steps on the blog.

Final Zentangle Lampwork Beads

2011-10-31T18:48:00.000-07:00

Cleaned and ready to go

Did another 7 tonight after I painted some bisque pieces . Wont see those till tomorrow night - Screened another couple of sheets so I'll cut them up and fire tomorrow - not sure if I'll just fuse or do further lampwork.

Fresh Bisque out of the kiln

2011-10-31T18:47:00.000-07:00

Fresh out of the kiln an assortment

Painting tonight and into the kiln again to finish

Butterflies

leavespendants

snowflakes

Zentangle Beads - Black & White

2011-10-30T19:15:00.000-07:00

The clear glass that I screened with my zentangle pattern, dried, cut into smaller pieces and fired are applied to hot bead gather that I make when lampworking. This gives me the black and white beads I want . Yes I will do a step by step once the show is over - possibly a video so that you can see the application to the bead.

Sorry fresh out of the kiln still with mandrels and bead release - once I have them cleaned up I'll do photos

More Ceramics out of the Kiln - Fish, Bracelets, Faces and Horse

2011-10-30T19:13:00.000-07:00

I loaded it up this morning and finally it has cooled down enough to take out my pieces

The Bracelets in the Pistachio are nice

Some more fish

Amphora Horse Head

Amphora Faces

Ceramic Blanks - putting Transparecy's onto Ceramic Blanks with Resin

2011-10-30T06:43:00.000-07:00

Fired some Amphora faces and some large blanks yesterday and filled it with fish and other items today

I really like the lowfire Spectrum glazes - Pistachio and Purple Haze

The big blanks were so I can put transparencies in and cover with epoxy- They are glazed so they are sealed

Glued Zentangle Transparency to Blank and driedApplied Just Resin to bezel but also dragged it to edges to give a full cover cap .

Silk Screening Images on Flat Glass

2011-10-27T10:00:00.000-07:00

So I am still not getting caught up.
Tuesday night was pottery class - my stuff is in the kiln so still no pics
I screened my zentangles onto glass on Sunday and I need to cut and fire but tonight is get the hatter costume to my granddaughter for fitting and start a white rabbit costume with my daughter for the other granddaughter. I NEED TO WORK ON GLASS FOR MY SHOW !

So I will do a step by step on how to screen on glass after the show but here are some images of the screened glass pieces. I can fire it as one piece and cut or cut and fire smaller pieces (may get messy if not dry) I found my screening ink (reusche black trace and screening medium (water based for easy clean up) was not thick enough and had it flatten out - good part is it just washes off if you mess up. you don't waste any glass - and I don't use much reusche black trace and screening medium ) Sorry about pics - my camera batteries are not charging and these are with iPhone.

On clear - had a bit of mishap with this one as I screened

on Carmel Colored Glass

on white not perf so I washed it off

Once I finish as I said I'll do a step by step on producing a silk screen as well as mixing the screening medium and reusche powder and the actually screening set up and firing .

Madd Hatter Hat -simple instructions on how to make a Madd Hatter Hat

2011-10-25T07:07:00.000-07:00

So I searched the internet and found a good pattern to follow - then changed everything when I went in search of materials- I needed to finish this asap for my granddaughter and time was running out - and we dont disapoint granddaughters!

Went to dollar store and bought a black cowboy hat
cut off top of hat leaving about 3 inches and cut into tabs and using a towel ironed the rim flatter (most are cheapy hats and have plastic sewn on edge and it will melt if no towel.
Went to Walmart - found a nice lamp shade on sale (if you dont like pattern just cover with material)
used bolt cutters to take out the metal cross bars - got as close as I could so no pokey metal
Took lamp shade widest part and outlined onto cardboard (or foamcore) and cut it out
Stretched my material over circle and used hot glue gun
Used hot glue gun (watch the fingers its hot ) and glued the top circle to the top of widest part of lamp shade
(Try to be neat - I am putting some cord around seam later)
once dry then put hot glue on tabs and glue to inside of the shade (go from back to front side to side till all glued)
push down on shade and circle and glue shade to hat (you can put cord here after but the sash covers)
I got some material and made sash - used glue gun to put together
got a peacock feather , make the 10/6 (burnt the edges) card and I had some actual hat pins I made years ago and finally had a use for - or make your own out of coat hangers and glue buttons on
The inside is quite large so I am putting foam on the inside - I'll cut a piece of material - glue it inside the brim - put the foam -wrap material over then glue - that should give lots of filler to it so it fits different size heads

Creative Festival was Fun

2011-10-24T07:54:00.000-07:00

Saturday dragged myself out of bed at 5:15 and left for the show at 5:45 - wanted to be on time for manning my friends booth as one of the main highways were closed for repairs.
I was in the Zentangle booth covering for my Friend and Certified Zentangle teacher - Susan Stortini - if you want to start to Zentangle then see Susan (note pics from iPhone )

Was in a portion of the Metro Convention center I had never been to (south building) which was very nice but since I never had been to the south building I left early to ensure I was on time.

What a show - now I wished I had more free time to wander around . I did get a couple of hours at the end to see some of the booths - embroidery, Knitting, runnway fashion shows, duct tape challenges, material and sundries gallore - even a live alpaca -

If your looking to start Lampworking or working in glass Nortel Mfg (the maker of the Nortel Minor torch) has everything you need. They had a large booth with demos of lampworking all day. THIS IS A FIRST ! no other show in Toronto has had Lampworking classes.

Again some amazing items at the show- got my youngest granddaughter an elmo hat and gloves. couldnt pass it up

and my other granddaughter the monkey hat and gloves (she loves monkeys)

So now that I recouped on Sunday - I unpacked my Yudo and ready to go -I do have to make a Madd Hatters Hat tonight so cant wait to get that task finished so I can jump back to getting ready for the TBS show

More Yudu

2011-10-21T08:21:00.000-07:00

One of the best parts is that I don't have to use their screens I can still use mine by using the developing light table and the diazo photo emulsion - so nothing goes to waste there are a number of cool videos out there outlining how to modify

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_tqiIrTMYs

and also 3rd party screens (from same place that did the video ) that have more surface tension than the OEM screens - so once I finish booth sitting on Saturday I'll be out trying this out - cant wait - got a lot of glass to screen - I already started the step by step with the screen set up and I'll follow through with mixing the paint and screening right through to firing - application is a step by step on its own when I apply to fused pieces or lampwork beads. So stay tuned .........

Yudu on sale at Michaels

2011-10-20T18:23:00.000-07:00

Till tomorrow - regular 399.99 best I could see on ebay was about 150.00 delivered
Michaels has it on for 129.99 - stores in Markham and Richmond hill have stock didnt call any of the others
I picked one up and hope to play with it on Sunday .
Looks to be compact and less bulky than my current set up- cant see why it would not work and I like the small thin screens for easy storage etc... has exposure light, drying box looks large but way easier to deal with than a metal garbage can, a spot light and a piece of glass, some foam and wieghts to hold it down.

Video of how to work with it
http://www.whatdoyudu.com/videos/default.aspx?id=3

More ceramics out of the kiln- image transfer fired

2011-10-19T15:58:00.000-07:00

Out of the kiln tonight - my image transfer piece, some bracelets and spacers - The image transfer of my zentangle that I screened onto paper and then put on clay - once glazed will look better

Firing my Ceramic Screen Zentangle

2011-10-18T21:13:00.000-07:00

Put my zentangle image transfer from the weekend in the kiln tonight (LATE) so it probably wont be cool enough in the morning to take pics - I'll take them as soon as I get home and post .

Pottery Class Night - Should have taken pics of my pieces I've been working on - a funky bird and a rather hefty mug - I'll remember next week to take pics

Craft fest is this weekend - going to help out a friend so I 'll get to actually go this year

More to follow - will be making etched pieces this weekend and make some new screens and make some screened glass pieces for fusing.

The TBS show is getting close and so many things I want to complete before then - times running out - I hope I can finish some beads and some other items before then.

Wash Out hoses for Silk Screening

2011-10-16T08:59:00.000-07:00

One of the other items I find extremely useful and you will find after you use a standard hose and keep your thumb on the opening for pressure - that these are much easier to work with.

I at least knew where to dive in and find and here are some pics of the two types I have .
One with the silver head looks like a pneumatic hose fitting and the other is all black plastic but it has a lock so you don't have to keep your thumb on the trigger.

Unfortunately with all the new style taps none of the ones in my house have the ability to attach - yet.
I use outside on the hose for now (don't have a laundry tub yet or water up at the studio - that is next years plan)

I will have to find out where I got them and how much and post - I do know it was somewhere I was getting silk screen materials from.

I am off to see what trouble I can get into - make my shopping list for slips and maybe print off some new transparencies and burn some screens this week.

Image Transfer on Clay Class - with Chris Snedden

2011-10-15T18:25:00.000-07:00

Absolutely a great class - if you ever get a chance take this class

Learned how to use premixed coloured slips on paper and transfer them to clay
Learned how to make your own silk screen for repetitive printing

Totally enjoyed the day at Pine Tree Potters - they really know how to do a class - was great communications right from the beginning

One suggestion I have to make the process easier is to get the clamps for the silkscreen - to more or less give you a third hand

Install them on a piece of plywood or the paint boards that you can get a curry's art supplies.( They come in a variety of sizes) You only have to buy one as all your screens just get tightened into the clamps - best to get a base board for the largest screens you will use -.
You can c-clamp the base to the table so it does not move and then you can concentrate on the squeegee and slip process without worrying that the frame will shift while pulling the slip with the squeegee.
when done just flip up and it will hold there till you take off your sheet - create a tape mark for placing paper so that is easier as well - put down a new sheet and then flip back down.

You can see some of my zentangle -(the low fire clay is very dark and hard to see - but it will fire white with the black) you screen a special slip mixture - I used black - onto plain paper. that you wet and apply to leather hard clay. (On the small tile I just cut up my sheet and placed pieces - overlapping etc ) You burnish and let dry and then peel the paper off and it leaves your image - you can modify by adding more clay colours to your image before you apply - much like reverse painting - the black line will always be on top after application.
Here are a couple of my zentangle samplers - the left over paper will burn off in the kiln. Will show once they dry and I fire - may be a few days - They are not the best but as my first samples they showed me some of my mistakes that I'll correct the next time - which will be soon

Catching UP

2011-10-13T10:51:00.000-07:00

With Thanksgiving and the weather being so nice I didnt get much done in the way of new things over the holiday

Tuesday nights are my ceramic classes in Oshawa with Barbara Kimball

I glazed my ceramic blanks last night and fired. I'll get some of the pebeo ceramic paints (can bake in oven) out to make a sampler

Going to do some etching on the weekend, some more lampwork and hopefully some enamel beads. So stay tuned for some step by steps.

Saturday all day I have a pottery class for image transfer - cant wait for that one - it sounds so exciting - exactly what I want to do.

So hopefully I have a few things to show for this week.

Just picked up a box full of glass from Nortel so that should come in handy when I get torching.

So I have not fallen off the face of the earth this week, just catching my breath to start on a run again .

OOPS to Ahhs

2011-10-09T16:51:00.000-07:00

Well - the lampwork bead blanks may not have worked but they produced some interesting pools of glass. I'll cut and grind and come out with some interesting cabs and refire . -

I'm also making more blanks and in particular some domes (which I put on old light bulbs) they should be ready to fire tomorrow. Did hearts, circles and round domes. and some large flat rounds that are indented so I can put some transparencies of my zentangle in with resin.

OOOPS !

2011-10-09T13:54:00.003-07:00

Not sure where my brain was when working this out - but I know that morretti glass melts at about 1200 F a lot lower than my fusing bullseye glass - so not sure why I thought I could go to 1538 to fuse the decal on

From

To puddles......

Although the two on the left might turn out to be nice cabs - there is a technique called pot melting that creates disks from left over glass - this may allow me to create on the smaller scale controlled now I wish the seperation was further and I could have ended up with some really interesting cab melts - especially that red with black and white one

Its all about the experimentation - I'll take this as an accidental discovery . cant wait for them to cool - I'll cut them up and refuse in my kiln

Applied zentangle to bead blanks

2011-10-09T07:15:00.000-07:00

Here are the applied sepia decals to my bead blanks (remember they go on black and come out sepia)

I'll fire them today and see how they turn out
I have to ensure that they rise slowly to fire the decal at about 1538 (I will use the paragon home kiln - I can use my little kiln but the home kiln will rise automatically and shut off when done) I wil also put the glass on rods that are prepped so they dont stick while firing - Again - dont they look great in black - sooooooonnnn....

Glass Blanks for sepia decals

2011-10-09T06:02:00.000-07:00

I made some glass bead blanks so I can put some of the sepia decals on and fire today

I'll wrap the decal around the whitish part of the bead - the ones with a little striation will give some shading to the images.
Ill apply today, then fire later today so should have results tomorrow

Total Success - The Sepia Decal on Ceramic glazed worked

2011-10-08T14:05:00.000-07:00

Yes very pleased that the overcoat worked on the ceramic pieces
Quick fire (again at the cone 013)
What can I say - cant wait till I screen the images in black on white .

Now to affix them onto my cards for the show and onto the next items.

I sat and made some glass bead blanks - they are annealing now then I'll put decals on tomorrow and fire
I'll need to make some new bezels with a large centre so that I can put the transparencies inside with my resin.

I bought some low fire red clay that I want to try as well.

Then there are the pnp blue zentangles for etching - hmm maybe will do that too

Just realized I just used up all my ceramic blanks - so I need to make even more this time

and I have to create some leather hard stuff for my class next Saturday - probably some tiles - easy and flat that will make putting the screened images on easier -

So much to do before Nov 5th show. ( I procrastinated too long during the summer to make things - although I have been testing and making new items so I should be good)

And I start my clay classes with Barbara Kimbell on Tuesday night.

SUCCESS ! Ceramic Sepia Decal works- Zentangle Pendant

2011-10-08T06:06:00.000-07:00

The experiment with the sepia decal on ceramic worked - typically I had purchased the sheets for my glass work but now I can use with the ceramic - Not that I doubted it - just that I was not sure what to set my kiln to. I knew that at about 1540-50 the sepia fires on the glass and should be no different on the clay. So I set my trusty Paragon Home Kiln to cone 013 - 1538 and let it go last night.
Viola !

Now what you need to know about the sepia decal is that if you do not cap it it smears - as much as it is fired on I find that it still some comes off. So like my glass I want just something thin - the Spectrum 700 glaze fires at cone 04/06 which I think is much too high and may burn it off the sepia - but then again the glaze is covering - I need to experiment . So I put the same cover coat I did with my glass - since the clay has been fired and I use such a small surface amount it should be ok - but again - I've coated and am currently firing so later today I should see if it worked.
pics - without covercoat

Sepia Decal on Ceramic Blanks

2011-10-07T17:59:00.000-07:00

I am very excited - I am going to Pine Tree Potters Guild in Aurora Ontario next weekend for an image transfer class with Chris Snedden - - I so cant wait ! My mind is working overtime on what I want to do with image transfers - as part of the class and to speed it up we had to send in a black and white image and he makes up a screen of the artwork we want to use in class and I sent my zentangle - Did I say I so cant wait ! I can use it for both glass and for ceramics - did I say I cant wait !

So tonight I finished gluing bales onto the the black and white pendants and put everything onto cards and packed for the show - now onto the next batch of goodies.

I decided I was going to experiment with my ceramic blanks I made last week to see what happens when I use the sepia decals on ceramics - the blanks are glazed - so that they float on easily.

Here they are (I applied a decal to both sides ) dont they look great in black and white - soon I'll get them black and white - but hopefully they will be the sepia color in the morning .It will be different - I hope

I am not sure till I see what I have in the morning - either over fire the decal and have a bunch of brownish blanks or they will be ok - fingers crossed

Screen Printing on Glass and Ceramic- YUDU

2011-10-06T08:03:00.000-07:00

I spotted this product a few years ago (or more) when it came out and thought I might buy.
It takes a lot of the prep work away from preparing screens, and coming up with lighting for exposures etc.

Looks great and I think I'll pick one up as it will resolve my glass printing issues - my emulsion sheets are out of date. This makes it look easier than what I used to do - I just will use my reusche black trace as my ink for the glass and possibly the ceramic

http://www.whatdoyudu.com/

I used to make T-shirts a very long time ago and this looks like a great little machine - has exposure unit, and dryer all in one

My previous glass screen set up entailed - a metal garbage can, outdoor spot light, piece of glass and multiple wooden and metal screens - so this looks compact

Just checking out the prices and I'll let you know the range

B&W out of the Kiln

2011-10-06T03:53:00.000-07:00

Here are the black and vanilla out of the kiln

Now its work on some other fusing items this weekend and some lampwork

Putting Bales on Glass Blanks

2011-10-05T16:23:00.000-07:00

My Black and Vanilla were done so I did the overcoat and re fired them tonight (wont see them till tomorrow morning)

I have my carmel and vanilla (sounds like pudding or maybe its because I just like food everything sounds like it )

Tonight I wanted to put bales on them so I can get them carded up and into the pile of goodies for my upcoming Toronto Bead Society Show in November (5th &6th) at the CNIB building on Bayview Ave in Toronto

1. I just clean them for now with a damp papertowel if any kiln wash is on them
2. I take diamond head drill bits and scuff up the backs using a dremel - very quick (just the area you will put the bale not the whole back.)

3. I then have them sitting with the backs facing up and give them another swipe with the damp cloth.
4. I choose the bale - in this case a sort of brassy bronze I got from Panda Hall (I love Panda Hall)

5. I cut up little squares of wax paper to mix my two part epoxy - I use toothpicks for mixing
6 Mix up some two part epoxy - I like the UHU two part epoxy - can be found at Micheals or Canadian Tire. Equal parts - I like the little tubes - the syringe type drives me crazy and I waste so much of it .

7 I use the toothpick as an applicator and put a dab on each square where I scuffed it up. (Don't do all at once just in case it starts to set fast (heat is a factor)
8 Place a bale on the dab of glue, push down and dont worry if a bit squishes out - you want adhesion below and around the bale. Just be sure its centered. Let dry

Typically they start to set within 20 minutes but I like to leave for 24 hours to cure - and even longer .
When dry I'll put onto my cards for the show

I found one of my flood lights , the base and the pop up photo tent but I need the side floods so I can take better pics.
But you can see how shiny the image is with the cover coat over the decal. If you put a glass cap it does give a magnifying effect but I find it distorts the lines when you have details.

I watched my screen printing dvd tonight to refresh my mind - now I have to find my tools in the basement and bring them up to the studio (where they should be ) and give screen printing a try again. Hopefully my emulsion sheets are not too old - but I definitely am going to get it done so I can screen the black onto the glass - Once I know I have everything I'll do a step by step

Black and Vanilla Blanks- sepia decal out of the kiln

2011-10-05T04:03:00.000-07:00

The Black and vanilla blanks out of the kiln this morning
fired nicely and will coat with overcoat tonight and re fire

Epiphany

I have been thinking what can I do to make them black and white on glass - and OMG- DUH ! I used to screen images on glass using my black reusche trace (which I also use for my painting) Sometimes I wonder about myself - I forget about things I did years ago. So I can still make the same silk screens I planned for making ceramic decals but I bet I could use the same materials for glass as for ceramic - I see some testing coming up this weekend (if my photo emulsion sheets for the silk screens are still good) I bet I could screen onto the clay and then cut it but not sure that will work - again play play play . But I know for sure my black on glass will work.