Artist Kostas Lekakis demonstrates the French art of repousse. Repousse -- meaning "to push back" in French -- is a method of creating a relief design by hammering or pressing the reverse side of a metal surface. Materials: 18- to 30-gauge metal in color of choice
Chasing tools
Pitch bowl
Lead
Hammers
Small propane torch
Scissors
- Use scissors to cut the shape of the finished project from the metal.
- Use pencil to lightly sketch desired design onto metal's surface (figure A ).
- Holding metal with tongs, heat with torch to anneal (soften) the metal.
- While metal is cooling, heat the pitch briefly to soften it.
- Place designed metal firmly onto pitch. "Chase" the design by following the lines with a hammer and chisel, or chasing tools (figure B). Work on both front and back surfaces of the metal.
- Piece may need to be reheated periodically, depending upon the complexity of the design.
- After completing the design, finish edges by crimping them (figure C). Edges that are particularly sharp may be filed as well.
- To finish the piece, add jewelry findings -- such as stones or beads -- as desired.
RESOURCES :
Jewelry supplies and materials
Indian Jewelers Supply Co.
Gallup, NM Phone: (505) 772-4451
Repousse materials
Rio Grande
Albuquerque, NM 87122-1962
Website: riogrande.com
Jewelry: Fundamentals of Metalsmithing
Model: 1880140292
Author: Tim McCreight
Moving Metal: The Art of Chasing and Repousse
Model: 0970766491
Author: Judith Berger
The Metal Craft Book: 50 Easy and Beautiful Projects from Copper, Tin, Brass, Aluminum, and More
Model: 1579901700
Author: Janice Eaton Kilby
GUESTS :
Kostas Lekakis
Kostastudio
410 Palm Avenue #A9
Carpenteria, CA 93013
Designer/artist
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