This lesson is a continuation of the super fun Metal Tangles — continue to explore embossed metal techniques, creating gorgeous bejeweled mandalas.

Continue to experiment with a fun new medium: metal foil

I had so much fun creating embossed metal tangles — a technique derived from repoussé, the art of embossing metal. This lesson is a continuation of the first lesson, where I'll show you how to create templates for circular shapes and how to emboss complex tangled designs.

Learn a new technique: embossing metal foil tape

This video contains Closed Captioning

Pre-requisite: Watch the Metal Tangles lesson first!

In this lesson you will:

Learn how to prepare templates for circular mandala projects
Learn a few more techniques to emboss on metal foil
Learn how to attach a jeweled focal center
Learn how to create complex tangled designs on metal foil tape
Learn how to add a contrasting metal foil border
Develop a full metal foil tape mandala, from beginning to end
Learn how to add grungy patina and how to polish your metal tiles
And so many tips and tricks!

Learn a super fun technique, with minimal investment

Supplies needed — READ CAREFULLY!

I experimented with several different types of materials and tools as to use the FEWEST specialized tools and supplies possible, so that we can enjoy this technique without a huge commitment or financial investment. Most of the tools you’ll find in your artbox. These are my recommendations (read more about metal sheet at the end of this supply list):

Metal Foil tape: Nashua’s Waterproofing Repair Metal tape. This is the thickest one, others are thinner and flimsier. It is still nowhere as thick as craft metal sheet. You can find it at a hardware store or on Amazon. One roll is only $10 and will last you a LONG time, you can share it with a friend.

1/4” Copper foil tape: Master Foil Plus by Ventura. Optional, but nice to have to give some color. You can get other brands, but this was the nicest and smoothest one I tried or all. Be careful to not get one that is too thin, or it won’t work. One roll will last you a long time, you can share it with a friend.
Craft foam or mouse pad. Soft surface to work on. If you love your mousepad, keep in mind that it WILL get
dirty. Find it here.
A sharp pencil. I like to use 2H because the graphite is hard, but you can use any pencil you like.
Ball point pens. They don’t need to be empty, in fact, they work better if they have ink. I use two kinds, one with a thinner point (gel pen) and one regular ball point.
A manicure flat stick or a popsicle stick.
A blending stump. Make sure you don’t use your good one, it will get a little destroyed.
A pair of scissors. Make sure you have one dedicated only for this, since the adhesive on the tape can get very sticky.
White glue or double stick tape.
Thick cardstock paper. I use hot pressed watercolor paper.
Any brand black acrylic paint. I use a very inexpensive brand.
A medium size paintbrush. This is used to apply acrylic paint. Make sure it’s not one of your best brushes, but preferably choose a soft flat brush.
Paper towels. Lots of it!
Plastic food wrap, e.g. Saran wrap. Any brand.
Brown Identipen by Sakura. Optional, to add some minimal color over the metal.
Spackle. Optional! Use to fill the back of very highly embossed shapes so they don’t get flattened accidentally. If you are careful with the work, you DON’T need this. It smells really badly, nasty fumes.

About craft metal sheet: Typically speaking, metal embossing crafters use medium metal sheets that come in rolls — “medium" usually corresponds to 36 gauge, while “light” corresponds to 40 gauge (the higher gauges are thinner) — and they and can be found in art supply stores. While these produce very good quality results, I found them hard to manipulate, after a little while my hands hurt because they are quite thick. So while you can use the same exact techniques shown in the lesson, I did NOT use craft metal sheet, HOWEVER, if you want to try it, then you can find it here.

Learn HOW TO FORM A PRECIOUS METAL MANDALA

I'll show you several things you can do to create sharp, crisp, beautiful designs over metal foil tape, and how to create a GORGEOUSLY distressed piece of metal art!