A growing pastime for people is hand making their own jewelry. One thing that attracts people is that its creative, and helps with hand and eye coordination. More people are now using brass filigree as part of their designs, as they can add a definite something. It might surprise people to find that this is surprisingly easy to use and incorporate into designs.
The stamped sheets will come in different gauges, or thicknesses. The thinner the sheet the easier it is to form in to the creation that you envisage. There are not even any special tools required. It is recommended that a small set of snipe nose pliers are used. The jaws of which should be smooth, if there is any patterning on the jaws it could be transferred to the material.
Don't be surprised if you hear people call these items stampings. This is mainly a reference to the machines used to stamp out the designs. Some of these machines are so old that they are still using the same designs from ages ago. It is possible, with a little homework, to accurately replicate the stunning designs of years ago.
Some people are a little bit shocked to see the very shiny metal of these stampings. They would much prefer a slightly aged look, or at least not something quite so new looking. You can change the outward appearance of the metal yourself quite easily.
The first step is to remove any traces of oil or grease. These will have come from the stamping machines mentioned earlier. If they are not removed, then any further treatments will not take very well. The cleaning process is easy, use hot soapy dish water and a soft cloth, dunk the stamping in the dish water and then gently rub it all over. Once this has been achieved it will need rinsing in clean water and then left to dry thoroughly.
A simple way of coloring involves painting acrylic paint to a desired area. This is left for thirty seconds and then wiped off using a soft cloth. Paint is left in some of the recessed areas and you will see that its slowly coloring. The process can be repeated as often as you desire.
Heat is another good way to change the appearance. A candle or a cigarette lighter can be used as the heat source. Hold the piece with your piers to prevent burning yourself. Watch the various colors that form and change as you heat the piece, With practice you will be able to judge how long you need to heat to get the effect you want.
Another way to age a piece of brass filigree involves a solution that is three parts vinegar to one part sea salt. Mix this in a shallow tray and then rest your piece in the solution for at least an hour. Then place in a pre heated oven for fifteen minutes before removing it. If the effect needs more work the process can be repeated. Remember to seal both front and back with a spray lacquer.
The stamped sheets will come in different gauges, or thicknesses. The thinner the sheet the easier it is to form in to the creation that you envisage. There are not even any special tools required. It is recommended that a small set of snipe nose pliers are used. The jaws of which should be smooth, if there is any patterning on the jaws it could be transferred to the material.
Don't be surprised if you hear people call these items stampings. This is mainly a reference to the machines used to stamp out the designs. Some of these machines are so old that they are still using the same designs from ages ago. It is possible, with a little homework, to accurately replicate the stunning designs of years ago.
Some people are a little bit shocked to see the very shiny metal of these stampings. They would much prefer a slightly aged look, or at least not something quite so new looking. You can change the outward appearance of the metal yourself quite easily.
The first step is to remove any traces of oil or grease. These will have come from the stamping machines mentioned earlier. If they are not removed, then any further treatments will not take very well. The cleaning process is easy, use hot soapy dish water and a soft cloth, dunk the stamping in the dish water and then gently rub it all over. Once this has been achieved it will need rinsing in clean water and then left to dry thoroughly.
A simple way of coloring involves painting acrylic paint to a desired area. This is left for thirty seconds and then wiped off using a soft cloth. Paint is left in some of the recessed areas and you will see that its slowly coloring. The process can be repeated as often as you desire.
Heat is another good way to change the appearance. A candle or a cigarette lighter can be used as the heat source. Hold the piece with your piers to prevent burning yourself. Watch the various colors that form and change as you heat the piece, With practice you will be able to judge how long you need to heat to get the effect you want.
Another way to age a piece of brass filigree involves a solution that is three parts vinegar to one part sea salt. Mix this in a shallow tray and then rest your piece in the solution for at least an hour. Then place in a pre heated oven for fifteen minutes before removing it. If the effect needs more work the process can be repeated. Remember to seal both front and back with a spray lacquer.
