| Metal embossing is the art of creating designs on a | | | | of the stylus is pointed and is used to create lines. |
| metal sheet, by raising or sinking and smoothening | | | | The stylus can be used to write text and emboss |
| the surfaces, to give it a three dimensional look. The | | | | alphabets in the sheets. Swirls, dots and other |
| hollows or raised portions may be filled with paint or | | | | patterns can be done to give a background for the |
| may remain as it is. This is done to make simple wall | | | | main picture. Strips of embossed metal that are |
| hangings or as a collection for scrapbooks. It is mainly | | | | decorated with accessories or paints can be used as |
| done as a hobby and one could make money by | | | | frames for scrapbook photographs. |
| selling the pieces to people who would like to use | | | | One need to choose the design first and a beginner |
| them as home décor. | | | | could do well to choose a simple one. The metal |
| Metal embossing as a craft, was used by the ancient | | | | sheet is to be placed on a soft surface like a stack |
| Celts and later found its way into Ireland, Scotland | | | | of newspapers or a mouse pad. The design has to |
| and Wales. The sheet metals that are generally used | | | | be placed on the metal sheet and traced using the |
| for embossing are copper, pewter and aluminium. | | | | stylus, pressing wherever needed. Once the paper is |
| They come in various thicknesses, with a shiny finish | | | | done with, the stylus has to be moved over the |
| and are available in all the hobby outlets and craft | | | | embossed lines to deepen them by pressing down |
| shops. Generally, a craft scissors can be used to cut | | | | firmly and evenly. Once this is done, turn the metal |
| the sheets, and are very flexible and will dent at the | | | | sheet over so that the raised lines face up. The |
| slightest touch. | | | | smoothening of the excess scribbles and creating of |
| The tools required for metal embossing are very | | | | finer lines and details can be done at this stage. |
| simple. A beginner's kit comes in a set of a few | | | | Use paint to give colors. Various textures can be |
| sheets of metal, a stylus tool, a few patterns and | | | | added to make it more interesting. Cross-hatching |
| instructions. The stylus is a wooden bulb-shaped to | | | | can be done by making small crosses with the tip of |
| be held like a pen and used to trace the pattern. This | | | | the screwdriver to give it a rough finish. As one gets |
| rounded tip of the "pen" pushes out the areas on the | | | | better control of the stylus, more and more intricate |
| metal sheet that is out of the pattern. The other tip | | | | designs can be made. |