April's Review	Catherine's Review	Chris' Review	Penny's Review	Tammy's Review

Review by April

Metal embossing is an art form I have always wanted to experiment with. It's the art of achieving high and low reliefs in special laminated metals, and it's truly a unique art that I have always admired. Magdalena S. Muldoon opened one of the first stores in the country to carry metals and tools needed for embossing, and since then she has helped spread this ancient art throughout the country and Latin America. Magdalena's company, MercArt USA, has been working with this art since 1989 and currently offers high quality metal embossing tools manufactured in Mexico using the finest materials. It thrilled me to learn that ScrapFriends would have the chance to review several of the tools and materials!

For this review, I received the following from MercArt USA:

• A Beginners Kit (Complete with a Star Wheel, Cup & Ball No. 2, Brass Brush, Small Stylus, and Teflon D-01 Refiner)
• A Large Cup & Ball No. 5
• One Decorative Wheels Horizontal Lines1/8-inch
• A 6 x 6-inch sheet of pewter
• A 6 x 6-inch sheet of copper
• A 5.5 x 4-inch piece of Suede

I recently watched Magdalena's metal embossing class on the PageSage presents Art Unscripted with Carol Duvall An Artist Retreat DVD, and I also purchased her Metal Embossing Workshop book by Sterling in anticipation of this review. Both her book and DVD class offered extremely valuable embossing tips, and I found the MercArt USA website to be quite informative as well. The embossing tools and materials sent for this review provided me with a terrific start, and all of them were easy to use and a lot of fun to play with! MercArt USA has a huge variety of other metal embossing tools to choose from, and they also offer intensive metal embossing workshops which I am seriously looking in to.

I adore images of owls and on a recent trip to Target, I found a pair of pajama pants that had colorful owls all over them and they totally rocked. Since starting a metal embossing piece is as easy as copying a pattern onto a sheet of tracing paper and then transferring it on to the sheet of metal, I decided to trace one of the owls on my pajama pants! I used the small stylus to trace the initial pattern onto the heavy sheet of pewter. Then I flipped it over, placed the piece of suede underneath it, and began the process of embossing using the Cup & Ball No. 2. After I had embossed the design, I removed the suede, flipped it over to the front, and used the Teflon refiner to clean up the lines. I repeated this process until I was satisfied, and then moved on to decorating the owl using one end of the small stylus to scratch lines, the cup & ball tool to create cute little dots, and a paper stump to raise the little embossed flowers. To complete the owl, I colored it using different alcohol inks and added some bling!

Title: Art Rocks!
Products used:
Tin Coated Pewter (MercArt USA)
Metal Embossing Tools (MercArt USA: Teflon Tools, Complementary Tools, & Refiners)
Inspiration for Project (PageSage Art Unscripted DVD, & Magdalena S. Muldoon's Metal Embossing Workshop)
Alcohol Inks (Ranger)
Transparent Overlay (Hambly Screen Prints)
Owl Image (Nick & Nora Pajamas found at Target)
Rub ons (Hambly Screen Prints)
Tracing Paper (Mead)
Glitter Glue (Ranger Stickles)
Embroidery Hoop (Michael's)
Stickers (Heidi Swapp, & Making Memories)
Paint (Jaquard Lumiere)
Ribbons (Personal Stash)

I only had two sheets of metal from MercArt and I wanted to make three projects, so I actually used a 12x12 sheet of bronze metal from another company to create my second project. I must note however, that the sheet of metal I used for this project, was not even close to the quality of the MercArt Metal sheets. It was much thinner, not as easy to work with and did not retain the embossed images as well as the MercArt sheets of Metal. To begin the second project, I traced a bird pattern from a patterned paper, and then traced the image onto the metal sheet. I used the star wheel to add some interesting detail to the top of the metal sheet, and then I laid a decorative sheet of pattern paper on top of the metal and traced around the edges to create the top and bottom border. I embossed these lines and then trimmed around the edges and adhered the entire sheet to a piece of cardstock. I swiped a foam brush with a blue metal paint all over the metal sheet and then wiped parts of the paint away with a paper towel. If I rubbed really hard, it would take some of the bronze color away leaving a shiny silver and I thought this really added to the piece! I also colored parts of the sheet with a matching blue alcohol ink to darken a few areas, and then decorated the project with glitter glue, rub ons, and painted foam letters.

Title: Scrapbook Artist
Products used: Cardstock (Prism Prismatics)
Metal Embossing Tools (MercArt USA: Teflon Tools, Complementary Tools, & Refiners)
Inspiration for Project (PageSage Art Unscripted DVD, & Magdalena S. Muldoon's Metal Embossing Workshop)
Alcohol Inks (Ranger)
Rub ons (American Crafts, & Fancy Pants)
Glitter Glue (Ranger Stickles)
Bronze Metal Sheet (EK Success)
Metal Paint (DecoArt)
Tracing Paper (Mead)
Transparent Die Cut (Heidi Swapp)
Rhinestone Brads (Heidi Swapp)
Foam Alphabet (Heidi Swapp)
Metal Clip (Tim Holtz)
Adhesive (Adhesive Tech, Permanent Bond Glue Runner)

On my last project, I laid a chipboard sun image directly on the copper foil sheet, traced around it, and then flipped it over and embossed the design using the Large Cup & Ball No. 5. I used the Decorative Wheels Horizontal Lines1/8-inch tool, and the Star Wheel to add cool effects to the front of the sun. I really wanted the sun to have an aged look to it, so I smeared a dark brown alcohol ink all over it. To complete the layout, I placed a picture in the middle of metal sun, and decorated the page with a transparency, buttons, glitter glue, stickers, and other embellishments.

Title: Happy 5th Birthday!
Products used:
Copper Foil Sheet (MercArt USA)
Metal Embossing Tools (MercArt USA: Teflon Tools, Complementary Tools, & Refiners)
Inspiration for Project (PageSage Art Unscripted DVD, & Magdalena S. Muldoon's Metal Embossing Workshop)
Alcohol Inks (Ranger)
Transparent Overlay (Hambly Screen Prints)
Buttons (Autumn Leaves)
Ghost Letters (Heidi Swapp)
Glitter Glue (Ranger Stickles)
Flowers (Prima, & Heidi Swapp)
Ticket (Jenni Bowlin)
Patterned Paper (My Minds Eye)
Stickers (American Crafts, Making Memories)
Glitter Brad (Making Memories)
Metal Clip (7gypsies)
Rub on (Hambly Screen Prints)
Adhesive (Adhesive Tech, Permanent Bond Glue Runner)

I am now totally hooked on metal embossing! I loved using the fabulous tools from MercArt USA, and I will for sure be ordering more of the metal sheets as I have not been able to find any others that match their quality. I have never tried metal embossing before and after reviewing the MercArt USA tools and materials, I would definitely recommend everyone giving metal embossing a try. Magdalena's metal embossing workshop book is a wealth of information and even contains several patterns to get you started. If you are interested in giving metal embossing a try, then I highly recommend you look no further than MercArt USA. I'm not sure why my husband did not seem thrilled when I proclaimed that I may have a new hobby...in metal embossing!

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Review by Catherine

I love trying new techniques, or rediscovering techniques that I have “left behind” in the past. Using the tools and metals from MercArt USA allowed me to do exactly that. Rediscover an old technique that I used to enjoy. Metal Embossing is one of those techniques that although it can take a bit of time to perfect, can produce results that are absolutely astonishing.

I received a wonderful variety of tools for MercArt USA for this review. The set of tools that I received are perfect for someone just starting out in metal embossing. For this review, I was sent: * The MercArt USA Beginners Kit which includes a star wheel, a cup and ball tool, a brass brush, a refining tool, and a small Teflon tool * A cup and ball tool * Horizontal Lines Decorative Wheel * Two 6 X 6” sheets of metal – one pewter and one silver * And One suede chamois

I could tell right away, as soon as I picked up my tools, that these were extremely high quality metalworking tools. I love the heft of these tools, and the way they feel in my hand. The name of the company is embossed deeply into each tool, and it’s kind of a silly thing but I really like the way most of the tools are bi-colored with the shaft being silver and the ends being copper colored. Beyond the fact that the tools are very attractive, they are super useful. Made of hardened steel, these tools will hold up for years.

After watching the Art Unscripted by Carol Duvall video earlier this month, I was pretty confident that my skills at metal embossing had been refreshed. I loved watching Magdalena Muldoon work with metal, as she made everything look so easy, and created an amazing embossed metal embellishment. I couldn’t wait to try my hand at my own embossed metal pieces. For my first project for this review, I used a rubber stamp and stamped on the back of a piece of the metal that I was sent for the review. I then outlined the stamp and flipped the piece of metal over and outlined it again to give the image definition. Using the large ball tool, I pushed the image out from the back and refined it with the Teflon tool. A few areas embellished with the smaller ball and cup tool and I was pleased with the embellishment I created.

Title: Grateful
Products used: Cardstock (Prism Prismatics)
Inspired by (Art Unscripted hosted by Carol Duvall DVD - PageSage )
Metal Embossing Tools (MercArt USA)
Sheet Metal (MercArt USA)
Patterned Papers (BasicGrey; 7Gypsies; Making Memories; Daisy D’s; Autumn Leaves)
Stamps (Art Warehouse; Stampin’ Up)
Label (7Gypsies)
Paint Dabber (Ranger Industries)
Adhesive (AdTech Permanent Bond Glue Runner)

For my second project, I decided to try a free-handed image. I drew a heart on the back of my metal sheet and then used various tools from MercArt USA to embellish the heart. I really like the look that the Horizontal Lines Decorative Wheel added around the edges of the image after I embossed the metal. I added another free-handed heart image in the opposite corner of the photo to add a little extra embellishment to my page.

Title: Love Spending Time Together
Products used: Cardstock (Prism Prismatics)
Inspired by (Art Unscripted hosted by Carol Duvall DVD - PageSage)
Metal Embossing Tools (MercArt USA)
Sheet Metal (MercArt USA)
Patterned Papers (Creative Imaginations; 7Gyspies; Sweetwater)
Spiral Journaling Book (Making Memories)
Chipboard Alphabet (Foofala)
Sticky2 Romance Rubons and Foil Kit (Creative Imaginations)
Sparkle brads (Karen Foster)
Alphabet Rubons (American Crafts)
Adhesive (Adtech Permanent Bond Glue Runner)

I really enjoyed working with the tools from MercArt to create embellishments for my first two layouts. One of my favorite tools is the Ball and Cup tool, and I love the large size of the one that I was sent outside of the beginner kit. I decided to create a polka-dotted border using only the Ball and Cup tool for my next project from the review. I had a piece of metal duct tape leftover from a previous project, and I knew that this would be a perfect piece of metal to emboss a simple image on.

Title: old?
Products used: Cardstock (Prism Exclusives)
Inspired by (Art Unscripted hosted by Carol Duvall DVD - PageSage)
Metal Embossing Tools (MercArt USA)
Sheet Metal (MercArt USA)
Patterned Papers (Autumn Leaves)
Rubons (Hambly Screenprints)
Stamp (Autumn Leaves)
Rhinestones (ScrapinstyleTv)
Felt Thickers (American Crafts)
Adhesive (Adtech Permanent Bond Glue Runner)

I have really enjoyed working with the Metal Embossing tools and metal from MercArt USA. These tools are extremely high quality, and work wonderfully. I know that with these tools in my arsenal I will be creating metal embossed projects more often. There are even a few more tools on my must-have list from the MercArt USA website. If you have ever been interested in giving metal embossing a try, then I recommend you try MercArt USA Metal Embossing tools. If you are an established metal embosser, then definitely get some of these tools. You will love the variety, quality, and overall ease of use of the MercArt USA Metal Embossing Tools.

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Review by Chris

In conjunction with a recent review of PageSage’s Art Unscripted DVD, I was also asked to review metal embossing tools and metal sheets produced by Merc Art USA. In the PageSage DVD, Magdalena Muldoon instructed a wonderful segment on the technique of embossing designs into metal. After watching her segment, I was anxious to try this fascinating technique.

For this review I received several metal embossing tools and two sheets of a thick yet very malleable tin coated pewter. Among the tools I received were a Teflon refiner/deer foot tip, two different sized ball and cup tools, a metal refiner, a brass brush, and a decorative wheel. These tools are all used to emboss a design into metal. In addition to the tools provided, I used a paper blending tool from my own stash.

Here you can see my tools organized in a metal stand (designed by Andrea Cloutier).

One of the techniques presented by Magdalena was quite different from other metal embossing that I have done. In this technique, by cleaning both the inside and the outside of your embossed image, you create a flattened, rather than a puffy, design, as you can see in this example.

In the DVD, Magdalena explained her project very well. Her instructions were clear and easy to follow. The one thing I learned as I created my projects is that this process takes time. Rushing and trying to press the design into the metal too quickly may result in tears in the metal. The trick is to go over the design many times, pushing a little harder each time and cleaning around the edge frequently, until you have achieved the depth you wish. This tin coated pewter metal that we were given to use is some of the best metal that I have worked with. It is quite thick, yet very malleable. The thickness allows for a much deeper, more intricate and pronounced design than I have been able to create before. I was thrilled with that!

These tools all have metal handles; they are quite thick and easy to hold. Holding them for long periods of time did not bother my hand. I loved every tool I used! They are high quality and work extremely well. In the design on this layout, I used the pointed Teflon refiner to outline my design and the paper stump to impress the design deep into the metal. I also used the metal refining tool to give my design nice sharp edges. A final detail was to add raised dots to the design using both sizes of the ball and cup tools. This pewter sheet cuts quite easily with regular scissors, so I was able to trim closely around the edges of my design. Following Magdalena suggestion, I filled in the deep areas on the back of my design with some light-weight, fast drying spackle that I purchased at the hardware store. Some sticky, two sided tape was all I needed to attach the design to my page.

Beauty
Products Used: Metal Embossing Tools (MercArt USA)
Metal sheet (MercArt USA, tin coated pewter)
Cardstock (Prism, Prismatics, kraft)
Patterned paper (KI Memories, Pop Culture)
Stamps (Autumn Leaves, Stitched Journaling Panels; Starving Artistamps, stitches)
Ink (Stewart Superior, Memories, ArtPrint brown)
Chipboard letters (Heidi Swapp)
Adhesive (Ad Tech, Permanent Bond Glue Runner)
Design template (Tandy)

Here is a close-up of my embossed piece.

I love the versatility of metal embossing. Not only can you use the metal elements in a variety of ways, there are many sources for design ideas. You can sketch your own, use clipart, download patterns from various websites, and use stamps, just as examples. For the metal work on this canvas, I used a design from a stamp. I stamped the image onto white typing paper and traced the outlines using the Teflon tool. Texture and dimension can be added to the metal using a variety of implements. The wire brush tool and the various wheels that MercArt makes are perfect for texturing the metal prior to embossing. I used the metal refining tool to add the small dots around the outside of the image after my embossing was completed. After I stabilized the embossing by applying the quick dry, light weight spackle to the back, I painted my design with brown acrylic paint. After waiting a few seconds, I wiped the surface of my design, leaving the paint in the deep recesses. I colored some clear micro beads using Ranger’s alcohol ink and added them to section of my design. I really like the rustic look that the paint gives the metal.

By The Sea canvas
Products used: Metal Embossing Tools (MercArt USA)
Metal sheet (MercArt USA, tin coated pewter)
Paints (Jacquard, Lumiere)
Chipboard letters (We R Memory Keepers)
Crackle paint (Ranger, brushed corduroy)
Distress Ink (Ranger, walnut stain)
Alcohol ink (Ranger, espresso)

One of the mini book projects that I created for the initial DVD review needed a closure. I created a paper band closure embellished with an embossed metal heart medallion. After I had completed my embossing, I colored the heart with three different colors of alcohol ink to give it added dimension.

Heart Medallion
Products used: Metal Embossing Tools (MercArt USA)
Design template (Tandy)
Alcohol Inks (Ranger, stream, raisin, pearl)

Embossing in metal can certainly be addictive. While I was searching online for patterns, I downloaded about ten that I thought I really want to try. These tools and metal products from MercArt make this such a fun pastime, and the instructional session by Magdalena Muldoon on the Art Unscripted DVD make this an easy hobby for anyone! If you have not used metal to create beautiful embossed pieces, you really should try it!!!

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Review by Penny

I have always felt intimidated by metal embossing until I recently watched Magdalena Muldoon explain each tool and how they work on PageSage's Art Unscripted DVD. Magdalena is the second-generation powerhouse of MercArt. Her teaching and skill are sought worldwide, and I can see why.

Even though her skill level is exceptional, her teaching style is practical and thorough enough for any beginner to fall in love with the ancient art of metal embossing and want to try it for themselves. And that is exactly how I felt.

MercArt was extremely generous with a review package consisting of their 4-piece "Beginner Kit," two sheets of pewter, a soft suede chamois cloth and two additional tools.

The Beginners Kit includes four of the basic double ended tools for metal embossing:

1. Teflon D-01 Refiner and Deer foot tips. The most useful tool for refining, reshaping, cleaning and even erasing.
2. Star wheel: for giving a line of dots or decoration and Brass Brush: for scratching the metal to give it a more matte finish. Ideal for backgrounds.
3. Cup & Ball No 2: medium size stylus for embossing and the cup for refining perfect dots.
4. Refiner: for making very fine lines and Small Stylus: to trace or transfer any design over the metal.

The Beginners Kit retails for $19.95.

The two additional tools included in the review package were the Decorative Wheels - Horizontal Lines 1/8" which retails for $8.95 and a larger Cup and Ball set which retails for $7.95.

There were two 6 1/4" x 6 1/4" sheets of pewter - one thick and one thin, and a 6" x 6" piece of Suede/Chamois.

The theory of metal embossing is simple. Use tools to raise patterns on the metal. Each tool provides a different effect. The steps involve tracing and outlining your design, adding texture and finally dimension. How you create these looks takes some practice and patience. Embossing is typically done on the reverse side of your metal with a piece of suede underneath to add some "give" to the metal surface. Once your embossing is finished, you will remove the suede and flip the metal over so that it is right side up. You will want to use a refining tool to make all of your lines nice and crisp.

The metal is very soft and pliable so care is needed with handling. If it gets bent or just doesn't emboss the way you wanted, the Teflon foot works great as an "eraser" to smooth out the metal or you can use a paper stump for larger areas.

I began my first project by stamping an image onto my pewter and then tracing over it. I embossed the wings, added dimensional adhesive to fill in the back, cut them out and then added two colors of alcohol ink overtop to give it a unique look.

Title: Spirit
Products Used: Cardstock (Prism-Mystic Medium)
Patterned Paper (Fancy Pants)
Chipboard (We R Memory Keepers)
Journal Tag (Jenni Bowlin)
Bird Charm (Marah Johnson)
Rub Ons (Creative Imaginations)
Alcohol Ink (Ranger)
Metal and Metal-working tools (MercArt USA)
Stamp (Tim Holtz)
Adhesive (Ad Tech Glue Runner)

I made a tiny little butterfly image for my second project.

Title: Rainbow Color
Products Used: Cardstock
Patterned Paper (Paper Salon, KI Memories)
Stickers (American Crafts, KI Memories, Creative Imaginations)
Chipboard (We R Memory Keepers)
Metal and Metal-working tools (MercArt USA)
Marker (Sharpie, Souffle)
Adhesive (Ad Tech Glue Runner)

And I created a funky arrow for my final project. Here I used many of the decorative tips in random patterns.

Title: My Family
Products Used: Metal Embossing Tools & Metal (MercArt USA)
Cardstock (Prism-black)
Patterned Paper, Die Cuts, Product Packaging (Making Memories)
Stickers (BasicGrey)
Brad (SEI)
Marker (Tombow)
Adhesive (Ad Tech Glue Runner)

Metal embossing is a fun process that provides unique, dimensional looks to your projects. I recommend giving it a try after you've had a chance to pick up some tips from Magdalena's books, workshops or DVD's.

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Review by Tammy

I have to admit I was very excited to be included in the MercArt USA review, but at the same time, I was a little apprehensive. Embossed metal has always intrigued me as I would gaze upon the beauty of the designs, but I always thought it was way too hard for me to accomplish such works of art.

In 2002 MercArt USA was the first company to bring the tools of embossed metal to the United States. Since that time they have been committed to teaching the art of embossed metal through monthly workshops, and now through video for beginners, intermediate, and advanced students.

As I looked through the tools and supplies I was given, my anticipation to learn this new art was peaked. In front of me I had several tools:

• Beginners Kit (Star Wheel, Cup & Ball No. 2, Brass Brush, Refiner, Teflon D-01 Refiner)
• Large Cup and Ball
• Decorative Wheels Horizontal Lines1/8-inch
• 6 x 6-inch pewter
• 6 x 6-inch aluminum
• 5.5 x 4-inch Suede

I quickly realized I would need some instruction before beginning so I watched Magdalena Muldoon demonstrate her metal embossing techniques on the Art Unscripted DVD by PageSage. Once I had watched Magdalena's segment on metal embossing I decided on a floral pattern for my first project.

The pewter metal included in my kit appeared to be very rich and soft versus the aluminum so I decided to use the aluminum for my first try at metal embossing. I set all of my tools in front of me along with my metal, pattern, and the DVD. As Magdalena walked through each step I was able to easily transfer her methods to the design that I had chosen. I will admit that I am very thankful for the rewind button which gave me the opportunity to review a technique a time or two before I tried to master it myself.

 

Magdalena had also suggested that the metal could be painted so I used some of my acrylic paints to add some color to the design. Once I had done this, the detail of the design seemed to be lost so I used some Antiquing Medium over the paint and when I wiped it off it also took most of the color – which I liked! The Antiquing Medium brought out the detail and took just enough color away that it gave the entire piece an old world rustic feel. I liked it!

Title: Thank You For….. Everything! card
Products used: Cardstock (Prism Prismatics)
Metal (MercArt USA)
Metal Embossing Tools (MercArt USA)
Pattern (Tandy Leather)
Patterned Paper (Creative Imaginations)
Paint (Making Memories)
Antiquing Medium (Plaid)
Stamps (Inque Boutique)
Encore Silver Ink (Tsukineko)
Brown Ink (Ranger)
Embossing Powder (Stampendous)
Paper Stump (Misc)
Adhesive (Adhesive Tech, Permanent Bond Glue Runner)

I had only used a little over a fourth of the metal sheet that I made my first project from so I decided to do another – a little bigger this time. I found this really pretty corner pattern for my second project. This time I did not need to use the rewind button as much and I felt a little more confident. Following Magdalena's clear instructions, and remembering when to use the suede and when not to, I was able to complete this piece in approximately 45 minutes.

 

Because I had tried out Magdalena's technique of "pushing out" a certain element on this piece (the flower on this piece), I filled the back with Diamond Glaze and let it sit overnight to dry. The next day I used the same painting and antiquing technique that I had discovered with my previous piece and I completed this canvas for a friend.

Faces have been blurred to protect identity Title: Western Canvas
Products used: Metal Embossing Tools (MercArt USA)
Aluminum (MercArt USA)
Pattern (Tandy Leather)
Patterned Paper (Flair)
Paint (Making Memories)
Antiquing Medium (Plaid)
Instant Age Varnish(Delta)
Crackle Paint (Ranger)
Matte Gel Medium (Liquitex)
Paper Stump (Misc)
Diamond Glaze (Judikins)
Adhesive (Adhesive Tech, Permanent Bond Glue Runner)

I will have to admit that this next project was not supposed to be a part of this review. One early morning I had the thought of trying to emboss an animal. So, I gathered my tools and the scrap piece of metal left over from my other two projects and headed out to the back porch to see what I could come up with. I had used this horse pattern many times back in the days when I used to tool leather and I wanted to try it out on metal. The pattern was larger than the scrap that I had but that was okay because it was only a test piece anyway. To create the look of fine hair on the horse, I used the Brass Brush and gently swiped it across the metal in the direction of the natural hair flow and I used the Refiner to create the horse's mane and the illusion of coarser hair. This was probably one of the easiest pieces that I had completed so far and it was all done without the aid of the DVD while I was enjoying my morning coffee on the back porch!

When my son got up he saw the piece laying on the table and he quickly grabbed it to show to his dad. I knew he liked it so I finished it off by adding some Antiquing Medium and matting it to a small notebook cover. My son decided he couldn't live without it so it disappeared with him into the other room.

Title: Horse Notepad
Products used: Metal Embossing Tools (MercArt USA)
Aluminum (MercArt USA)
Pattern (Tandy Leather)
Patterned Paper (Flair)
Sticker (Flair)
Notepad (Misc)
Paper Stump (Misc)
Adhesive (Adhesive Tech, Permanent Bond Glue Runner)

By now I was feeling confident in my new metal embossing skills. The rich Pewter metal was very soft to the touch and I knew I wanted to create something that would show off a lot of detail and beauty. The complexity of this design was not difficult as long as I would pay attention to the design; pushing and cleaning each small section of the design as I would go. The Pewter was much easier to work with because it was a softer metal and it closely resembles the look of real silver making it a very beautiful piece of art when it is embossed.

 

While I did not "push out" any portion of the design, the flowers and leaves seemed to be embossed quite a bit from the metal so I filled some of the embossed areas on the reverse side with Diamond Glaze to prevent the design from flattening especially since this would be an item that would be handled quite a bit.

Title:Floral Binder
Products used: Cardstock Metal Embossing Tools (MercArt USA)
Pewter (MercArt USA)
Pattern (Tandy Leather)
Patterned Paper (Paper Loft)
Binder (Sarah Binder)
Closure (Basic Grey)
Diamond Glaze (Judikins)
Distress Ink (Ranger)
Adhesive (Adhesive Tech, Permanent Bond Glue Runner)

While I am by no means an expert at metal embossing, the results I achieved from Magdalena Muldoon's instruction on the Art Unscripted DVD and the use of the MercArt USA tools, completely exceeded my expectations. The tools were very sturdy and were as comfortable to use as a writing pen or pencil. The metals were just as easy to work with, providing a beautiful canvas to work on while embossing each pattern to give you a treasured piece of art that anyone can be proud of. I also found that even though the aluminum and pewter were both durable and of high quality they were also easy to cut as well as being able to use a hand punch on the metals. After working with these products, I am definitely hooked on this form of artwork. You never know what you're capable of when you step "out of the box" a little and try some new type of crafts.

I would highly suggest MercArt USA Metal Embossing Tools and products for all your embossing needs. Also, check out the MercArt USA website for upcoming classes and workshops that might be in your area. I know you will want to take a class in person with Magdalena Muldoon!

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