Sunday, September 25, 2011

Etched And Layered

On Saturday I managed to squeeze in a class at Art Bliss, a small local to me, Art Retreat held in Sterling VA. This is a new and still small retreat with some great teachers and an intimate group of students. Sometimes small is really very nice and this was one of those times. I went to this retreat as a "Day Tripper" just to take a class in Etching Metal taught by artist Diane Cook. Diane just happens to have also been in the bead Soup Party with me and I found many others there that I recognized from that recent experience. Diane's class was titled Etched and Layered : a guide to guerrilla etching. The piece that you see above is one of the pieces that I created in the class. I etched two additional brass cuffs but they are in need of more work. I am considering adding a dangling bit to this piece as well, just not sure yet ! You all know how I feel about dangling bits- MORE is BETTER!!!
I am really thrilled with how this piece turned out!!
If you are curious about metal Etching and want to know a very simple and complete method, I would highly recommend a class with Diane Cook! She is a truly delightful Texan with a wonderful sense of humor and a true desire to share everything that she knows about this process with her students. She is the type of teacher that I like to model myself after. All but the Texas part- no offense to Texans- I just can' t take the heat!!! LOL!!!
I found the wonderful center piece in a jar of filthy dirty buttons in an antique mall in Oklahoma. It is a Victorian Crystal button with metal bezels encasing the crystals. A true find!! I have been saving it for a long time, for just the right project. I wanted this button to be used in something for myself and this was the perfect spot!!!
On another topic, last week I painted up some sheets of Tyvek and made some beads. I was going for a silk look with these beads and I think that this will work. This is a great way to get the look and super sturdy beads without using silk fabric and dealing with lots of fraying threads and delicate fabric!! More on this project to come soon!!

10 comments:

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

Holy Cow!! Beautiful. All the more better because you salvaged the focal and kept it for yourself. Wonderful piece.

Christine said...

Your etching is beautiful!! I hope to take a class soon - your piece makes me want to take it yesterday!!

Debrina said...

Om my gosh! Beautiful work, Elizabeth. Sometimes, just sometimes, I wish I lived in the States - you get so many more opportunities to learn stuff like this.

Barbara Lewis said...

I have wanted to meet Diane Cook for a long time! Your pieces are beautiful! Diane seems like an incredibly lovely lady!

Anonymous said...

Wow, pretty darn impressive for a first go, it came out swell!!!! xox Corrine

Aquariart said...

Love your etched cuff!! I will keep Diane Cook in mind when I can afford a class.

Ro Bruhn said...

Fabulous etching Elizabeth and your tyvex beads are gorgeous.

Caterina Giglio said...

love the etching!!

Createology said...

Your cuff is stunning. Taking a class and learning something new is so energizing. And using your "good stuff" for you is the best. Your tyvek beads look amazing.

suziqu's thread works said...

Hi Elizabeth
You are a woman of many talents. What a beautiful piece you have created here. It is so great to take these opportunities.
Hugs,
Suzy

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