i finally got a chance to try some work with copper embossing. attached is a pic of a clockface i have been wanting to make for some time. please dont laugh, this is my first attempt. (well, i actually did a leaf, i think, when i was eight at vacation bible school, but that doesnt count.)

i probably overdid the background stippling, but still not too bad.

i intend to patina to medium brown and make an oak mantel case for it.

this shows relief a bit better...

this is a test of patina i did on the back. center leaf is the range i am going for.

..very nice..how about a simple step by step? the hammering to fill the background seems straightforward to figure out but how do you keep the numbers and other stuff crisp? did you buy a set of metal working tools somewhere or just inprovised?

i got the copper sheet from a local mega store called Hobby Lobby. also a set of embossing tools which are scribing tools with little ball ends. this impresses the copper without scratching.

i printed the design in reverse and taped to the metal. with the finest tool, i outlined the numbers and blocks.

took the paper design off and began tooling the raised numbers from the back. Note: lay the copper on a soft surface such as several layers of newspaper, leather, or i used foam board.

then i turned the sheet over and using the finest tool again, outlined the numerals, flattening the copper tightly against the raised areas. then i reversed the sheet and embossed the numerals again to make them more distinct.

the stippling was done from the front with random pattern with several different width tools.

the leaves were done the same way, raising from the back and defining from the front. the lines on the leaves were finest tool at different pressures.

i am sure i will get better with practice, knowing pressure and width of lines from experience.

now i will use contact cement to attach to a 1/4 inch plywood board, drill the center hole and do the patina.

i am still working on the design of the case, based on the size of the face. edge to edge of circle is 5 1/2 inches.

i will post pics as i progress.