This is a wire die I created and used to form the brooch beside it.
Hydraulic Die Forming
Month: April 2015
Resist for etching metal
I use Press-n’-Peel/lazer printer ink image transfer process as a resist for etching my printing plates. I use the Staedtler pens for touch-up purposes when the design doesn’t transfer perfectly. They can also be used for drawing directly on the metal. This ink will hold up longer than Sharpie ink will. I bought a box of ten from Amazon.com at a good price. Update: 2018 I recently switched to salt water etching with citric acid added to the solution and discovered this resist did NOT hold up as well as in the salt solution without the citric acid.
Photographing on white and on black
I photographed the recently created “Bird” cuff on a white background and on a black glass background as a test to see what works best for the piece. Both seem OK to my eye… just very different. The black is dramatic, the white seems more contemporary. If I were to list this in my Etsy shop, I might also photograph it with some props from the garden. A leafy branch or two for instance. Plus I need a photo that shows the out-side of the ends as an alternate view.
The brass sheet was originally photo etched to use as a plate for roll printing onto silver, however, I decided it would work better used directly for jewelry. I am now wearing the cuff to see how the polished surface might change over time. The dark background is a heat patina that developed naturally when I annealed the metal for forming.
Jan’s earrings
I made these earrings for my friend Jan in memory of the many happy hours we’ve spent together watching the birds in our shared garden. She helps me to identify the different birds that come and go here.
I photo etched a brass texture plate and used it to roll print the design onto a silver. I then selected and cut the discs to feature two facing birds. The lapis beads were chosen to match a necklace Jan wears.
Business card 4-2015
business card one 4-2015
Ordered a bunch. Sure hope I like them!
Update: cards are OK … just not as thrilling as hoped for. Elegant but dark. Next card design will be much brighter and perhaps with a white background. Fortunately, the back of the card tells more of the story.
If Staples ever offers the great deal again, I might also order this one:
Sunflower bracelet business card
While it also features a dark background, there is a lot more color to brighten it up.
