Key techniques

Key Techniques

Let's run through some cutting, shaping and wiring techniques. Once you've mastered these skills, you'll be able to put them into practice for your bigger projects.

Cutting Tips

• Before cutting, roll out the brass sheet on top of your cork yoga block so that you have a large surface area to work from. It will also stop the brass from rolling up.
• When cutting, move the metal and not the scissors.
• Always push the metal to the back of the scissors.
• Leaves aren't exactly symmetrical, so your cutting doesn't have to be either!

Debossing

• Using the smallest doming tool you have (or a knitting needle), apply pressure to the brass sheet to create recessed lines or 'veins' in the brass.
• The harder you push, the bolder the line will be.

Embossing

• Through the process of debossing, if you turn your brass sheet over, you will see where the veins have been embossed, or raised.
• Using a doming tool (or knitting needle) and pressing down onto the brass sheet, you can emboss your creation further.

Creating Organic Movement

• Using a large doming tool, push down on the edges of the brass to raise the metal sheet as you apply pressure.
• The edge of a cork yoga block works really well for creating organic movement as you can position your brass on the edge of the block and press at different angles.

Creating a Twisted Leaf Stem from Thin Wire

1. Grab your stabbing tool and punch two small holes next to each other at the bottom edge of a spare piece of brass sheet.
2. Turn your brass sheet over and use the stabbing tool to punch back through the two holes you've just made.
3. Grab the 0.4mm/26 gauge brass wire and thread it through one of the holes in your brass sheet until it reaches the other brass wire end and the brass sheet is in the middle.
4. Grab your non-corrugated pliers and squeeze on the wire join to secure it.
5. Thread the other piece of brass wire through the second hole until it meets the other brass wire end. Use your non-corrugated pliers to crimp again at the join.
6. Holding the join with your pliers, start to twist both pieces of wire until all the wire has been twisted, or you have made your stem as long as required.

Creating a Straight Leaf Stem from Thick Wire

1. Take your stabbing tool and punch one small hole at the bottom of a spare piece of brass sheet.
2. Turn your brass sheet over and punch back through the hole, giving it a little wiggle to make it even. You might need to make the hole slightly bigger than before, as the wire is thicker.
3. Cut a strip of 0.8mm/20 gauge brass wire and thread around an inch or two of the wire through. Crimp the join with your fingers.
4. Use your non-corrugated pliers to hold the join in place and twist the wire next to the join two times.
5. Use the wire snips to remove any leftover wire near to the leaf.

Your Assignment

It's helpful to practise these techniques and acquaint yourself with the materials before starting on your projects. Practise some of the techniques below.

1. Cut a circle out of your brass sheet
2. Cut a zig zag shape out of your brass sheet
3. Emboss your circle
4. Deboss your circle
5. Create organic movement in your circle
6. Create a twisted leaf stem from thin wire
7. Create a straight leaf stem from thick wire