Hidden treasures: dazzling copper and gemstone boxes

Expression, Nov-Dec, 2004 by Vesta Abel

Are you one of those pack-rat types? Or, as we like to call them in the art biz H/S's (Hoarders/Savers). Do you hang on to bits of stuff with the thought that one day you'll use them? If all your little bits and pieces are slowly piling up and you have no where to keep them ... we have just the solution. Combine heated copper, authentic turquoise cabochons and Southwest stencils for surprisingly easy keepsake treasure boxes.

INSTRUCTIONS

For Square Box 1. Squeeze a small amount of Mahogany Decor it ink onto a paper plate. Dip a makeup sponge into ink and apply all over outside of box. 2. Squeeze a small amount of Terra Cotta decor it ink onto the same paper plate. Rub the textured PenScore into the ink and dab randomly all over the outside of the box to give a faux rust look. 3. Cut a 6 1/2" X 6" piece of copper using deckle scissors. 4. Cut notches here and there on the edges to give a torn look. 5. Stamp Ram design on paper with black ink. Enlarge design to approximately 4 inches. 6. Cut out enlargement and spray the back lightly with Super 77 adhesive. Let dry a few minutes and then press onto top right angle on copper piece. 7. Place copper on newspaper to protect work surface. Using the Black Fabric BLO PEN, blow dots all around the edges of the ram cutout. 8. Carefully peel up paper ram. There should be a distinct outline of the image 9. Turn hot plate to highest setting (or use your stove). 10. Hold copper piece using tongs and hold closely over heat until copper begins to turn darker. Bits of red and blue will begin to show as well. Remove from heat as soon as you are happy with the coloring. 11. When cool, place copper piece on top of Veggie Leather sheet. Using a piercing tool, poke tiny holes all around ram design. Place rectangle turquoise cabochon in the middle of the body. Trace around the edges of the cabochon to leave an impression in the copper. 12. Remove cabochon and, using the wooden puffer from the Magic Metal Tool Kit, press firmly to create a channel for the turquoise to fit in. 13. Glue cabochon in the channel with Super 77 adhesive. 14. Turn copper piece over and puff out the ram. 15. Using the large end of the wooden puffer, draw three waves under the ram. 16. Using a stylus, hammer dots between two of the waves for texture. 17. Lay copper piece facedown on newspaper and fill any puffed areas with Dimensional Magic. Let dry at least 8 hours. This will keep puffed areas from caving in if touched. 18. When piece is dry, spray generously with the Super 77 adhesive. Let dry a few minutes and spray another coat Let dry 5 minutes then apply to the rusted box, leaving a 1-inch border at the bottom. Using the wooden puffer, rub circular texture all over the background of the ram and waves to finish. 19. Press firmly all around the edges of the copper with the wooden puffer so that there are no sharp edges sticking up. 20. Peel off Copper Diamond Dots and place along bottom edge of copper piece.

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For Round Box 1. Apply Mahogany Decor it ink all over outside of box following instructions for square box. 2. Squeeze Moss Decor it ink onto a paper plate, and using the textured Pen-Score, dip into ink and randomly dab onto the inked box. Repeat with Gold and Silver Decor it ink. 3. Place copper on newspaper and then place the round feather design stencil on a 6" X 6" piece of copper Blow black dots from the Fabric BLO PEN in all the open areas of the stencil. 4. Cut out around outer edge of circle design. 5. Using tongs, heat over hot plate or stove until the copper looks almost gold. Cool and lay on top of Veggie Leather sheet. 6. Draw around edges of each "feather" with the stylus pressing firmly. 7. Repeat with the sections around the outer edge of circle. Place large oval cabochon in the center of the feathers and trace around it with the stylus. Lift cabochon and create a deep channel to lay the cabochon back in using the wooden puffer. Glue stone in place with Super 77 adhesive 8. Turn piece over and "puff" each feather and outer sections with the wooden puffer. 9. Pound dots in between each feather with the stylus. 10. Fill each feather with the Dimensional Magic and let sit at least 8 hours. When dry, place copper on newspaper and spray with Super 77, let dry, then add another coat. Let dry a few minutes then press firmly onto the round box. 11. Be sure to firmly smooth down outer edges of copper circle to box.

For Stamped Bead Box This charming mini-bead box comes alive with the copper embellished top! 1. Sand metal box lightly with the sandpaper to add a "tooth" to the surface. 2. Completely cover mini-bead box with Mahogany Decor it ink following instructions for the Square Box. 3. Then add bits of the Terra Cotta and Verdigris with the textured PenScore. 4. Using deckle-edge scissors, cut a piece of copper to fit box lid, approximately 3 1/4" X 2 1/4". 5. Stamp "On the Path" Indian Girl on the copper with the Black StazOn ink. 6. Using tongs, heat the stamped copper over a hot plate until interesting colors develop (don't overheat). 7. Cool and set on Veggie Leather sheet. 8. Draw around edges and details of design with a stylus. Place long oval cabochon in the middle of the dress. Create a channel for the turquoise piece following the instructions for the square box Glue to set. 9. Turn piece over and "puff" up details with the wooden puffer. After puffing up the dress area, draw squiggle lines with the stylus to add further texture. 10. Fill in puffed areas with Dimensional Magic. Let dry overnight. 11. Spray back with Super 77 and finish with steps 18 and 19 of Square Box.