INDUSTRIAL PHOTO FRAME
THE art of metal embossing (or repoussé), say the authors in the book’s introduction, has been around for centuries and has traditionally been associated with metals such as pewter and copper.
“We aim to break the boundaries of traditional embossing work with a colourful and modern new approach that will inspire young and old to be creative and try new ideas.”
They have been “enthralled” by craft metal, and the “endless possibilities” it provides to create texture and colour.
“As crafters and teachers we’ve experimented with a wide variety of craft mediums, but were always drawn back to metal craft.”
The book is filled with tips, information resources and ideas, as well as instructions to make your own crafts.
They share some of these with Goodlife. THE authors upcycled one of their old wooden frames into this weathered, industrial-style photo frame.
YOU WILL NEED: Silver craft metal Craft knife and scissors Double-sided adhesive tape Flat wooden photograph frame Ball tool and piece of felt Pattern rollers (optional) Brown acrylic paint (raw umber) Soft cloth Medium-sized paintbrush Clear glue Two red hearts
Cut the silver metal into strips, using a craft knife or scissors (the tape they used was 7cm side, so they cut the metal to the same width as tape).
Stick one side of the adhesive tape on to the back of the metal strips.
Cut the metal into squares and rectangles of varying sizes.
Peel the backing paper from the tape and stick the shapes on to the frame, making sure they overlap slightly.
Use a small embossing pen or metal pattern roller to emboss dots or lines into the metal. They used a ball tool and pressed it into a piece of felt from the back to create a ‘nail effect’ on some of the squares before gluing them down.
When the frame is covered, paint the whole surface with brown dots. Just before the paint has completely dried, take a clean cloth and gently wipe the paint off, leaving just enough to give a weathered look.
Glue the two red hearts or other embellishment of your choice on to the frame.