Aluminum Foil-Metal Embossing (Repousse) Ornament
Aluminum Foil Embossing Ornament
I did this project successfully with my after school art class which is a mixture of 1th-6th grade students. They LOVED this project!
Supplies: Aluminum sheets-36 gauge-St Louis Crafts Aluminum Metal Foil Sheet Roll – 36 Gauge – 12 inches x 25 feet
| The tools we use in class are Ten Seconds Studio Metal Tools. We have both the basic tools & the texture sets. They work great & are worth the investment! We also have texture plates for rubbing-from Fiskar-I think they are supposed to go in a cuddlebug, but we don’t use that we just put the metal ontop of the plate & rub with the crochet tools or tortillions. Less expensive options are crochet or knitting tools & wooden sticks (only if it is a thick metal) |
Here are the Fiskar Rubbing templates-Fiskars Texture Plate Double-Sided Assortment III 6 Package (12 Designs)
Project: Repousse-Foil Embossing
Video Tutorial: Repousse – Foil Embossing Techniques
Project Sheet: Aluminum Foil Embossed Ornament Lesson Plan
Instructions:
- Cut aluminum foil in desired shape using regular scissors.
- Trace the outline of the ornament onto a sheet of paper. Draw designs & patterns onto the paper.
- Cut the shape out & tape it to the aluminum.
- Place foam sheet under the aluminum. This is vital for the embossing process!
- Trace over all your lines with a pencil. This will dent in the aluminum.
- Flip the aluminum over & visually make sure you’ve trace all the lines.
- Remove the paper from the aluminum & use the embossing supplies to further emboss the metal.
- After you have finished embossing, use the permanent markers to color the aluminum.
Metal Tooling – Repousse
Project Sheet: Aluminum Foil Embossed Ornament Lesson Plan
Another Metal Embossing Project: Repousse Masks
If you choose to use this lesson or to repost any part of it, please link it back to my blog. Create Art with ME
Additional Metal Embossing Repousse Lessons:
Metal Embossing Masks- Repousse Lesson
Talavera Repousse Metal and Drawing Project – Middle School Art
Radial Balance with Talavera Pottery Repousse and Drawing Project
Design Principles Metal Repousse and Drawing
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Does the foil have to be 36 gauge or can I get away with using 14 gauge I can find at a restaurant ??
You could use the 14 gauge. That will be thicker I believe, but still workable. Younger children may have a harder time manipulating it.
These are so great! I am going to try this with my class this week. I wondered if you could tell me how long it took. My class is an hour and a half. Also are there sharp edges that they need to be careful about? Did you have them cut their own ornaments?
Thanks for sharing this!
Hi, I have my HS classes for an hour & a half too. This was a teacher guided project that took about a full hour to do. Maybe an hour+ depending on the size, age & complexity. The edges are sharp-be careful, but really if you instruct them ahead of time not to run their fingers along the edges, some cuts will be prevented. In my experience you will always have a few kids who test what you’re telling them. Have fun!
Tip: if the make a mistake in coloring you can use rubbing alcohol on a q-tip to remove the color!
I will be sure to bring bandaids! Thanks!
Love this idea and I think my middle school class will really enjoy it! Wanted to know what you’d recommend for embossing tools? We have hole punchers and tortillons… anything else you used?
Thanks!
Hi! Metal embossing is SO much fun! ALWAYS make sure you have a foam cushion underneath the metal!
The tools we use in class are from DickBlick- Ten Seconds Studio Metal Tools-here’s the link to them: http://www.dickblick.com/products/ten-seconds-studio-metal-tools/
We have both the basic tools & the texture sets. They work great & are worth the investment! We also have texture plates for rubbing-from Fiskar-I think they are supposed to go in a cuddlebug, but we don’t use that we just put the metal ontop of the plate & rub with the crochet tools or tortillions.
Less expensive options are crochet or knitting tools & wooden sticks (only if it is a thick metal)
Can you tell me how to finish the edges of the aluminum so it’s not sharp? Your website has my mind reeling with possibilities! Thank you.
Sue, the safest way to finish an edge is to fold it under-easy to do on straight edges, but more difficult on curved edges (especially if children are doing it!). You can also lightly sand the edge with sand paper to soften the sharp edge. Another way would be to mount the aluminum onto another surface like heavy paper or foam sheets. Hope these help-if you find other ways please let me know 🙂
its great project, i love ot, i want to do it with my Christmas art camp kids, can we use Aluminum foil instead of metal one its still do able with foil one ?
You must use a thick craft metal! Regular aluminum foil (even the heavy grade) is not thick enough. You could try soda cans, but I haven’t had very good luck with them because they put a coating over the aluminum that prevents the design from going deep enough. Hope this helps! -Michelle