There are a number of techniques for creating crafts out of copper; some require a lot of practice. The greater variety of techniques used , will then give better results. This particular craft article explains one technique of tooling and embossing on copper foil.
Materials Required for Copper Foil Crafting
- Sheet of copper foil, 36 gauge
- Some specialised tools, liner and modeller
- Spatula with pointed end
- A sheet of glass larger in area than the copper foil
- Steel wool
- Tracing paper
- Hard lead pencil
- Felt pad, 2 cm thick
- Masking tape
- Copper fill wax
- Potassium sulphide
- A design of your choice
The tools need to be spread out on a table for easy access.
Instructions for Copper Foil Crafting
- The felt pad is placed on the table and the copper foil placed onto that.
- The design can be traced or drawn on the tracing paper, which is then placed on top of the copper and held into position with masking tape.
- The hard lead pencil is used to trace the design onto the copper, by pressing down heavily but taking care not to tear the paper. Once the imprint is transferred to the copper, the tracing paper is removed.
- The “liner” tracing tool is used to retrace the design directly onto the copper.
- The copper sheet is turned over and placed in reverse onto the felt pad, where the tracing tool is used to follow the original lines of design.
- The felt pad is removed and replaced with the sheet of glass and the copper foil is placed onto this, reverse side up.
- A thin wooden spatula is used to press out the area of the design to be raised. This is usually a slow process.
- Once again, the copper is turned over and the lines of the front side retraced.
- A flat spatula is used to smooth the background by pulling away from the design and so smoothing the copper.
- After the tooling is complete the back of the raised copper is strengthened with “copper fill “wax. This is heated in a saucepan over a low heat and when melted it is painted onto the back of the design until level. It is then cooled until hard dried.
Finishing Copper Foil
One finishing method:
- The copper is cleaned with steel wool, and gently rubbed .
- A small quantity of potassium sulphide is dissolved in hot water; this is applied with even brush strokes and then rinsed under cold water.
- When dried, the raised areas are rubbed with steel wool.
This particular wildflower plaque was placed in a simple timber frame so as not to detract from the copper tooling/embossing.
Textures in Copper Tooling
It is advisable for the craftsperson to practice different textures with a variety of tools. They should never feel that projects in copper are beyond their capabilities, it all comes with enthusiasm and patience put into practise.
Copper Tooling can be a most rewarding experience.
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