Mostly Marie's

Interested in seeing how I created all these spoon pendants?.

You can find the tutorial and all the components here at

AlphaStamps

Antique Buttons and Featured

When I was a young girl my Grandma gave me her prized

antique button collection.

Many are over 100 years old.

I mounted them into a lace backed frame and reside in my bedroom

sharing space with my beaded vintage purses.

My favorites are these tiny little hand panted ladies. I think they might be Marie?

They only measure about 3/8 of an inch and appear to be real gold.

Others are tiny mosic's, some enamel's, some look like black diamonds.

I'd love to know more about these if anyone has any informaton?

I've done searches,

 looked through antique button books and checked the internet.

No such luck!

More available in my etsy shop

Heres another use for vintage MOP buttons. As the centers of my butterfly.

In Sweet Easter Peat Pots.

A rusty tin for a spring bird  Easter nest.

With a fabric transfer stitched onto burlap.

I would like to give
knick of Time Interiors A shout out for Featuring me this week.

Thank you Angie. Its an honor to be included.

Stop on by and see all the Beautiful things at

Knick Of Time Interiors

Tim's Monthly Tag Challenge

I'm a bit late to the party but I made it.

My tag from Mr. Tim's monthly challenge for March.

                           You can find out how I used his technique here at Tim Holtz
Mines a bit different as I don't have his butterfly die ,So I substituted his Flower die. I also don't have his wood stamp but I do have a wood embossing folder so I made a little fence with that for the background.

Now for my blog candy winner from my last post. Its # 25
Trisha Too. Congrats Trisha please send me your addy and I'll mail off your prize.
Thanks for playing all!!!

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

25

Timestamp: 2012-03-24 16:28:56 UTC

Tutorial- How to Etch Metal

With so many requests I figured it was about time I shared with you how

 I etch my metal with rubber stamps.

Grab a cup of tea or coffee sit back and enjoy!

Etching Tools and Materials

 Metal: brass or copper sheeting, Ferric Chloride, Liver of Sulfur, Tin snips,

Plastic containers to hold metal pieces, Blue painter’s tape, Sharpie Marker-Black, Stazon Ink pad- black, Rubber stamps (heaver images work best), Metal file, Steel wool, Rubber gloves, baking soda,
Old toothbrushes, Drill or metal punch, Band Saw or Jewelers saw, Eye Protection or goggles,
Paper towels, Clear sealer
Liver of Sulfur  (if you want to antique your finished piece)　

Technique

1. Begin by cutting pieces of brass sized to fit stamps. Cut using tin snips.

2. Stamp the image on the metal pieces with black Stazon ink and your rubber stamps.
3. You will need to edge the pieces of your metal with black Sharpie
    (this will prevent the solution from eating away at the sides)

4. Take the brass pieces and add strips of Blue painters tape on the back burnishing down to secure.
5. Make sure your work area is protected as Ferric Chloride stains. Wear rubber gloves and place the prepared metal pieces in a plastic container image face down using the tape to secure the sides.
 Add Ferric chloride so the metal floats on top of the liquid.
Let sit for approx. 3 to 4 hours.

6. Wear gloves before removing the metal pieces and clean with baking soda using an old toothbrush.

Follow by cleaning with water to remove residue.

7. You can cut the shape of the your pieces by using a band saw and a thin blade.
 Remember to wear eye protection.  A jewelers saw will also work but will take a lot longer.
If you don't have access to a saw you can simple cut your pieces square.

8. Use a metal file to smooth edges of cut pieces.

9. Use a metal punch or drill holes at this time if you'd like

You can Antique your pieces as desired by dipping them in the bath of Liver of Sulfur. Follow manufactures instructions. Brass takes on the color very quickly. Let dry sand lightly with steel wool to desired finish.

Spray finished pieces with a clear sealer to protect clothes

Tips: Wear rubber gloves and protect clothing when using Ferric Chloride as it stains.
Always wear eye protection when cutting or filing metal.
If when stamping your image on metal it smudges you can clean with Stazon cleaner or Ultra Clean, remove residue before re-stamping.
Use stamps that have thick designs for best results.
You can re-use the ferric Chloride, but it does lose some of its strength. Be sure to cover tightly.
To dispose of mixture weaken with baking soda first. Follow manufactures instructions.
Resources.
Ferric Chloride can be purchased at most Electronic Supply stores.
Brass or copper sheeting .32 gauge. I purchase mine at a metal supply store.

I hope you have enjoyed my tutorial.
Please let me know you stopped by and leave a comment.
I'll be giving away a little blog candy to one of you on Saturday.
Giveaway Now Closed

I'd love to see your results so be sure to share your finished pieces.



Something a little different

What do you get when you add miniature perfume bottles,

some re-purposed jewelry pieces,

pearls & crystals

some solder

vintage rhinestone's

chains and hinges

Vintage Rosary beads

Available in my Etsy shop

and a little imagination?

Some fun necklaces to hold those special keepsake and treasures.

Stop back Tuesday for my free tutorial

on how to etch metal with rubber stamps

Linking up to Knick of Time

Easter vignettes ,White Wednesday

My table is set all ready for Easter. A chippy wood house

 I found at a yard sales last year and for just a buck.

 It houses one of my bunnies and a few eggs

in a nest of moss.

My bay window with some bunnies,a bird cage,bird house and nest of eggs.

Linking to White Wednesday at

Faded Charm

Easter Diorama

Last year my GF and I salvaged some boxes with clear lids from a rubbish can.

Hey I'm not to proud when it comes to creating art.

 I'll do just about anything in search of my next canvas. LOL

What to do ? Well how about a Easter Diorama box.

All created with stamps from Oxford Impressions new

Easter Bunny

So next time your out scrounging around don't be afraid to pick up

some found treasues. You just never know what you can come up with!

Happy Creating!

Entering this in Simon Says anything goes challenge 

Spring ATC's

Some spring ATC's for a swap.

A Nest Egg

Bunnies and Butterflies

Flowers

Blossoms

Ladybugs

and a Spring Lamb.

All those things that awaken the senses to the

 Sweet Sights of Spring.

Coming soon...

A Tutorial on how to etch metal from rubber stamps

Fabric Garden Journal

Do you love to garden? I do when I have the time.

Especially when the sun is shining and things start warming up.

I created this fun Garden journal from vintage fabric,

Lots of lace, vintage velvet leaves and even a nest of sweet eggs.

The fabric transfer was made with an image from Graphics Fairy

I'm entering this in Brag Monday there.

The butterflies are printed on fabric from Paper Whimsy

I'm also linking to Debras link party at Common Ground

A close up of the crochet nest.

Sold-Thank You Zoe

French Corset Pendant- Ohh La La

I did a little creating this week and just couldn't resist

making a French Corset Necklace.

With lots of bling. The etched brass corset itself was made with a stamp from

Oxford Impressions 

The findings all come from

Alpha Stamps

Sold- Thank you Kathryn