Copper Ship

Sailing Ship, copper, 2012

4" x 4" etched copper.

U.S. Mail Postage Stamp

U.S. Air Mail Postage Stamp, 2012

5" x 4" etched brass.

"The Kraken" Chest

"The Kraken" Chest, 2012

4" x 5" etched brass on cigar box.

 

Detail view of "The Kraken" Chest, 2012

Update - 09.08.12

Victorian/Steampunk Gumball Machine, 2012

Nothing new to show in etchings. I've been working on pieces for holiday gifts and few personal projects. So after Christmas I will have many new items to show off.

This gumball machine was just a simple repaint of a flea-market find. This is directly inspired from the one done at epbot.com. Yes, there is a hole in the globe on the backside. Found out the globe was cracked when I got it home and a chunk broke off after completing it.

I want to also point out some links on the right side of this page. First, is Laura's Art from the Heart showcasing handmade jewelry and crafts. Then there is my sister's new project: Carousel Accessories' crocheted items can be seen at Deviant Art and Etsy Store.

Finally, almost all of the metal I use is purchased from OnlineMetals.com. They have a great selection and you can order cut-to-size. Please check them out here. (If you happen to use any link on this page and  purchase anything from them , I'll get a few dollars back to help me buy more metal. Hey, copper's not cheap anymore!)

Mark Twain Postage Stamp

U.S. Postage Stamp, 4"x4", Copper, 2012

My first attempt at working copper. I've left the copper uncoated, so it will change color as is oxidizes.

Silver Surfer

Silver Surfer, 4" x 5" Stainless Steel, 2012

After a few month delay, I was able to finally etch eight plates this past weekend. Most are for gifts and I won't be able them off until the holidays, but I did knock out a few for myself.

This is one I've been wanting to do since I started playing around with stainless steel. Based on a sketch by Bruce Timm of Marvel Comics' Silver Surfer. I painted the background a flat black to contrast the shine of the steel.

Cleveland Browns Cigar Box

Cleveland Browns Cigar Box #1, 2012

When I originally etched this plate, I was was unhappy with how it had turned out. The etch was shallow and had some areas where the resist had failed and some fine details had etched away. After it had set in a drawer for a few months, I decide to paint it and finish it for myself and place it on the shelf with my other personal pieces. Once I started sanding to remove the excess paint, the insides of the letters we're getting a weathered and worn appearance. At the same time I read an article on how to "age" brass by exposing it to ammonia fumes. So I use this piece as my first test. Once mounted to a cigar box made of rough wood, I have a piece that looks like it's been exposed to many Lake Erie winters.

Close-up of Cleveland Browns Cigar Box #1, 2012

Radio Refinish Project, Part 1

1929 Philco Lowboy Radio

We picked up this Philco Radio at a flea market in April of 2011 for only $20. It is in rough shape. The top veneer is missing and the speaker cover and speaker are totally busted out. A photo of this in it's original condition can be found here. Still, we have it setting in the corner of our kitchen with a cloth covering the top and a plant and few items on top, it's nice piece for the area.

I've always admired the radio restoration project Jake Von Slatt featured on his site where he took an old radio and turned it into a guitar amp. I also recently found where epbot.com restored an radio with new speakers, LED's and an iPod connection.

Motivated, I decided to finally clean up ours. Since the case was in such bad shape, I couldn't see spending the money to get the radio working again. We decided to simply clean up the case, replace the missing knobs and replace the broken speaker cover with a etched, brass plate. This is mainly going to be a decorator piece, but we are going to use it to hold our internet and wi-fi routers.

First I removed the speaker and speaker cover. The speaker cover had clam-shell motif which I traced and worked up a floral pattern which I'll etch and place within the speaker opening. The brass has been ordered and I'll be working on it over the coming months (in-between all my other etching projects).

Dust encrusted vacuum tubes.

Next I removed the tuner assembly. Here is where all the weight of the radio resided. I've stripped the tuner of all vacuum tubes and all electrical component that I could remove. Once cleaned up, I'll replace the assembly so the station dial and knobs can be reassembled. There were 6 vacuum tubes. Once the decades of dust has been removed, they're quite nice. I'm saving these for a future project.

Man of Steel... in brass.

Superman, 2010

This is an early etching I did in 2010. 3.25"x4.25" brass. I've left this on uncoated to let the brass oxidize.

My Toolbox

Toolbox, 2010

My sister made this box for me when I was probably  6 or 7 years old. Made out of plywood and with a dowel handle, painted white and had my name painted in yellow on the side. I remember keeping my Hot Wheels cars in it. Later on I painted in black and used to hold art supplies. When I started etching I want a box to hold paints and finishing items so I decided to strip the paint off and stain the box and added the rope handle.

I etched the plated for the end with a image of a steam ship and the Trident logo on a piece of 4" x 4" brass. I etched it so the image/text would be raised and the background is lower, opposite of how I normally etch. I then lightly ran a polishing wheel over it to even out the finish

Steamship Plate, 2010

Le Poisson Volant

"Le Poisson Volant", 2012

Steampunk-inspired Airship Dedication Plaque. 8" x 10" brass in wooden frame.