Friday 5 February 2016

Dies for hearts

No my post title is not meant to make you think you need to leave this world for hearts! Far from it, but it involves 2 different  types of dies.
As you know I use a lot of dies in my paper crafting but did you know that you can also create your own dies to press form shapes in silversmithing?

Die forming has been the new project since my silversmithing class returned in January after the Christmas break. The first thing I had to decide on was what shape to design. I decided that a really useful shape is the good old heart. I wanted to work in copper and brass as sheet silver is so expensive and just for experimenting these cheaper metals are good to experiment with.

I sketched a heart onto paper and cut it out in 5mm copper and perspex.
My photos are not the best as they are taken with my phone but you can get the idea.
I stuck the 2 pieces together and had to carefully file the "die" until I had very smooth surfaces.
This took a few weeks.......
Fast forward.
Once the die was made I was able to have a play with my metals and textures. A "sandwich" of acrylic, metal and the die is put into a press.
This is the press....it is huge!


 The press is wound down by hand and the  force created presses the sheet metal through the die.
Above are 2 shapes I created in brass and copper with the die. I textured the copper using textile in the rolling mill.

I love this textured copper.

I was able to invert or evert the heart depending on the effect I wanted.
I had great fun playing and below are a few more pieces.


I have some plans to turn these into pendants. I also plan to try soldering 2 hearts together to create a 3D pendant too. Our class is on half term for 2 weeks so I will keep you posted with what I make when we go back,

So my card today has to involves die cut hearts doesn't it. It's another case of when 2 crafts collide I think.

This is a Valentine's day card I made for my Etsy shop which is for sale here.

It's very CAS for me but I liked this simple design with the striking colours. Red, black and white is such a great colour combination.

Die cuts can be so effective. After coming up with my design I just stamped and embossed a simple Clearly Besotted sentiment in red and added a ribbon.

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges;

Pixie's snippets playground  3/3 #214  I used a snippet of black card for my die cut and a snippet of ribbon.
Whimsy stamps with love
Crafting from the heart  2/3 anything goes
Try it on Tuesday  2/5 a fine romance
Artistic Inspirations 2/3 anything goes/twist of Valentine
Noor UK  love
The Ribbon Girl  3/3 with love
Papercreator must be love
The Artistic stamper love my sentiment is stamped
The Craft Barn  triplets I have used 3 colours, red, white and black
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday  have a heart
Creative Inspirations  hugs and kisses
Creative Corner  1/3 Valentine's/love
That's Crafty  1/3 love

Thanks for visiting today and I hope you have your Valentine's cards bought or made....only one more weekend to sort things out. I can't show the one I have made my Hb yet as it's a Guest design post for one of my favourite card challenges...you'll have to wait until 19 Feb to see it.

Enjoy the upcoming weekend, we are off to Southampton to catch up with Daisy and Co...I can't wait.

Back soon,

Bye for now,

Jane x


21 comments:

  1. Well that all looked like a lot of fun, I love the different effects, can't wait to see what you do with it all next!
    It's hard to believe we're at Valentines Day already....love your little card, perfect as always.
    Enjoy your Daisy day! :)
    V x

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  2. Wow! So cool! Love hearing about new techniques! Thanks for joining us at Creative Corner Challenges! Sara DT

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  3. Another fascinating post Jane - gosh you do try so many things. Love your snippets card of course!

    Thanks for coming to play again!

    Hugs

    Di xx

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  4. I really enjoyed seeing you use the domed dies... it's neat that you're taking classes where they have such nice big industrial strength tools for you to use! Gorgeous card. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  5. gorgeous make Jane - and thanks for sharing the pics of the hearts - looks amazing - what a cool thing to do! Hugs Rachel x

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  6. Such a lovely creation! Thanks for sharing with Crafting from the Heart!

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  7. Your heart shapes are amazing and I'm sure the jewellery you make will be stunning. Looking forward to seeing it. Great card to fit the theme.
    Hugs Brenda xxx

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  8. Boah! Stunning!
    Thank you for sharing with us at TioT's!
    oxo
    Susi

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  9. A great card, I enjoyed reading the post, thank you for joining us on the TioT challenge hugs Bee.

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  10. Lovely card! Thanks for joining the challenge at Paper Creator!

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  11. Fabulous card Jane. I love the red and black palette with the pops of white. Very Striking! Have a wonderful weekend with Daisy! hugs :)

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  12. Great card Jane and such pretty die cuts.
    Thanks for sharing at TioT
    Avril x

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  13. Beautiful!!
    Thanks for joining us at Artist stamper this month.

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  14. I enjoy seeing your WIPs and I like the simple colors of this week's card. Good job!

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  15. A gorgeous creation! Thanks for playing at Creative Inspirations this week! xxx

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  16. Your post is so interesting and the card you've produced is fabulous. Thank you for sharing this with us over at Artistic Inspiration. Sue DT

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  17. Gorgeous card Jane! It's so elegant and the colours are so striking.
    Thanks for joining us at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge
    Mandy xx

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  18. A fabulous colour combination and a great use of your dies.

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  19. Wow! A gorgeous card! So pleased you joined us at Try It On Tuesday! Looking forward to seeing the jewellery! Chrisx

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  20. Oh love the textured copper too! Nice to catch up on your jewellery making, I do enjoy these posts :)

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Jane x