Technique vs Machines

Usually people think of religious Icons when we talk about the human figure in Metal Embossing. With this portrait in pewter  I wanted to show you one of the many other ways in which you can create most anything on metal, specially if you do it on Pewter which is , as I always say,  the "Rolls Royce of metals for hand embossing". 

 

Pewter is so soft and malleable that you can create the volume, dimension and textures you desire while working with the only metal that has the richness, color and shine of silver without its price.

 

Join me in any of our Intensive 2 day workshops and learn the techniques of the traditional Metal Embossing (Repujado).  These techniques will give you a solid foundation to emboss anything you want in any metal you use: pewter, silver, copper or aluminum.

 

Knowing the techniques allow you to emboss anything, from the simplest card or embellisment using embossing plates, stamps or stencils to the most challenging and museum-like pieces.

 

Don't limit yourself  and your creativity to just what an embossing folder or machine can do!!!

 

 

Only a very soft and fine metal as pewter allows you tho create the high dimension achieved in this Art Nouveau project.

 

 

 

Another example of what can be done knowing the techniques of Metal Embossing; hardly something that can be done running an embossing folder through a machine...

 

 

 

Metal Wax

Let me begin this new year's post by saying that I  hope you have a spectacular 2013!!

 I hope you are healthier, wealthier and happier than ever!

I was in Mexico last month (again)... As you may recall, after my mom passed away almost one year ago, I have been going to Mexico City quite often to work with our team of people in both stores there.

Last December we had a great class using our Metal Wax, a product developed by a sculptor and that turns practically any surface into a "metal looking" piece.

The figure on the left is a plain resin piece that was first  painted in black.  The other two pieces were treated with our "Metal Wax" to create 2 different metal effects

This is a concrete piece that looks like old rusted metal after using the "Metal Wax" product.

There are several patinas to choose from to create different effects

                

"Metal Wax" can create the metal looking finish because it is actually made of very fine metal particles

Hurry!

Our Aniversary sale is almost over! 

 Get 20% off in all your Metal Embossing online orders until Nov 15.

 

 

We only have this very special sale twice a year! 20% off in all metals (pewter, color aluminuim, real copper), patina, filling paste, tools, molds and background plates.

 New Products online

I love using this Coffee Mug or the Lotion Dispenser for my Christmas gifts.

I usually do them on Metal;  I emboss the name or initial and add different textures with our Background plates or Dreamewaver's stencils.

 

 

We have this 12 oz Cooffee Mugs ideal for adding any metal embossed project, picture, or Zentangle inspired Art.

               

  

Lotion dispenser.  Zentangle Inspired Art for a change.

 

 

Art and Soul Workshops

 

There are still a few spaces in my 2  "Metal Embossing Workshops" at the "Art and Soul" retreat in Portland Oregon.

 

This is one of the many  pewter projects that willl be done during the very Intensive classes this coming weekend.

Beginner Workshop:  Friday Oct 5th from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm

Intermediate Workshop: Sunday Oct 7th. 9:00 am to 4:30 pm

Learn all the possible metal embossing techniques;both the traditional and the new ones.

We will use patinas, inks, molds, laminated shell and pewyer, color aluminum and real copper.

Learn how to incorporate the use of stencils, stamps and book designs into your projects.

 

Copper color aluminum and alcohol inks will also be used.

 

For more information e mail us at:  msofia@mercartusa.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premium Metal Embossing Tools

One of the things that we are really proud of is the high quality of our Metal Embossing Tools. They were the first to be sold in America and the ones with the widest variety and, by far, the best quality.

 

If you have used our tools, you know how professional and good looking they are; how good it feels to hold the metal handle and let the tool flow easily on the metal.

If you haven't tried them I invite you to do so and see why they are considered the best in the world! (in the words of artists from Japan, Argentina, Europe, South Africa, Mexico and the US).

We have been selling only the best products for the Finest Crafts since 1970 and our tools are a perfect example of such dedication.

If you want a plastic tool that just does the job, we also have it (our "Blue Line"). However  if you, like many other fine artists and crafters, enjoy working with the best and appreciate the characteristics of a really professional tool, then our premium line is certainly for you!

Let your beautiful projects be created with a beautiful tool. 

Tangles and doodles

Yes, I know it may seem that tangling and doodling have nothing to do with metal embossing. However, in MercArt we have been doing, some metal samplers using all sorts of doodles, to show the different textures of our tools for more than 15 years.
When I saw some of the Zentangle (tm) expressions in books and cards, I immediately thought about those samplers. Actually many of the patterns in those books were the same we had been doing all along!
Doing tangles in a different media, other than my beloved metal seemed odd at first, but I gave it a try and I became hooked!
Metal is by all means still my passion, but I can see the relation of both artisic expressions and I'm embracing it.

I am preparing for next week's show in The Woodlands (Houston). We will have some fun and easy make it-take it projects. If you are in the area, joins us at the

CKC-Houston

June 14-16

Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center

Alcohol Inks and Color Aluminum

This was such an easy and fast project to do. I used  MercArt gold aluminum and Color Solution alcohol Inks.

The products I used were:
 * Teflon D-01  (to trace the design, outline the embossed areas and trace the "frame"  and leave's lines).
 * Cup and Ball #4 and #6 (to emboss the leaves and flowers and create a "puffy" look)
 * Star Wheel  (to create the background texture)
 * Diagonal Wheel #01 (to make a border)
 * Paper Stump #4 (to soften the strokes and flatten the background metal)
 * Gold colored aluminum (other light colors great for inks are:copper, yellow, mustard, teal and fuschia)
 * MercArt Filling Paste (to keep the embossed areas from collapsing)
 * Color Solution Inks: Aspen Leaf, Pumpkin and and a hint of Blue Velvet.
 * Sanding Block  (to remove the color from the embossed areas).

Color Solution Alcohol Inks from Dreamweaver are available at www.mercartusa.com

Candle Base

This wooden plate was covered in Pewter to create a candle base. It is a fast, easy project ideal for any gift.

The main MercArt tools used were:

* Refiner

*Teflon Tool D-01

*Cup and Ball # 4

*Paper stump #4

*Suede

*Pewter Patina

*Mercart's Filling Paste

*Pewter

Reminder:

April is the month for PEWTER!

Get a 20% discount on your online orders until April 30,2012.

www.mercartusa.com

R.I.P. Magdalena Barrena (1933-2012)

I am so sorry for the lack of posts lately.
On September 29 of 2011 my mom, Magdalena Barrena, was diagnosed with cancer.  I was able to go to Mexico City  many times. We were also able to spend Christmas and New Year with her.  She was so happy to have her kids and grandchildren with her.
She passed away on January 20.  My brother and I were able to spend that last week with my mom and tell her how much we loved her.  We shared so many great memories together. She died in peace and with no pain. She was ready to join my dad in heaven.
Today, in the first month of her departure, I want to remember her in this blog. I want to share some of the highlights of her life:
*She was born in Mexico City on July 24,1933. She had 6 siblings (2 of which died very young).
*She was married to my dad Juan Muldoon for 50 years (he passed away in October 2007).
*She founded Mercart in November of 1970 with the mission to offer only the finest crafts.
*She had 2 kids (my bother Juan and I) and 6 grandkids.
*She introduced the tools and pewter for Metal Embossing in Mexico more than 20 years ago. She was the fisrt person I learned the technique from.
*On October 2010 she was in a car crash that could have killed  or left her paraplegic, as she broke her 2nd vertebrae. She had an amazing recovery after surgery and  used her last year to do great things: go to her grandchild's wedding,  go to the US Open in NY, travel to TX and PA and....open a new store!!!!
She will always be remebererd for her generosity, easy smile, strenght, faith, positive attitude, good sense of humor and for her example of dedication and hard work.

It will be hard to follow such a great role model but I will do my best to honor her by working hard to keep Mercart USA and Mercart Mexico as a place for creativity and the expression of fine crafts.
Thank you,
Magdalena Muldoon

Gift Tea Box

Looking for an original gift?  What about this wooden box covered with pewter ?

I was inspired by a heart shaped box done by Kaori Kochi, one of  my students in Japan.

I gave continuity to the ribbon by folding  it over the box in its 4 sides.

The box blue color was given with the new CS207 Blue Velvet  Color Solution alcohol ink by Dreamweaver.

Reminder: Our Anniversary Sale is almost over!

You still have a couple of days to get 20% off in all your online orders  at www.mercartusa.com

Valid until Nov 30,2011.

Mexico

I was in Mexico City for some days and, besides enjoying my mom's company, I was able to get some new ideas.
I was also able to visit Mexico City's downton, which is full of historic colonial buildings ( XVI century) and prehispanic (Aztec) sites.
I was lucky to see the huge and amazing exhibition of  "Alebrijes" (mexican folk art;  colorful sculptures of fantastical creatures)  at the "Zocalo" or main downtown plaza.

Cathedral at the "Zocalo" Mexico City. Downtown

This small box was covered in pewter. Most of the design is made of "perfiles" or lines.

You can use the Refiner LT-05 or the Teflon D-01 for that.

JAPAN

I came back this week  from another amazing 12 day trip from Japan. I taught 100 talented artists in 3 cities: Tokyo, Osaka and Fufuoka.
My wonderful hosts and distributor (Athena), plus the JMEA (Japan Metal Embossing Association) team, the translators and the enthusiastic group of students made me feel at home (just like they made me and my mom feel in 2009).

This won the "Mercart" prize
at the 3rd Annual Competition.
Chiko the author is amazing!

During one of the classes in Tokyo

Not all was work. They also took me to Mount Fuji and to Nara, where Japan's capital once was located. I enjoyed the food and delicious pastries and became a big fan of the Udon soup and tempura shrimps.
I'm so looking forward to the next time in Japan!

With the JMEA directors, Hisa my host
and Miki the great translator
It all started with Keiko (with the hat) who took several classes with me in Dallas in 2003/04.
She is now JMEA's president and has hundreds of students.

This is the big pewter clock they did

This was the "dessert"
Done in color aluminum with
Dreamweaver stencil and embossing plates

NYC and Canada

My mother (founder of Mercart in 1970) and Sofia @ Cantral Park

Sorry for not posting anything for a while. This has been a hectic time. After the opening in Mexico City of our new MercArt store (last post), I went to New York City with my family. We went to celebrate Sofia's (my daughter) 16th birtday. She loved Broadway ("Wicked" was so funny), MOMA, Central Park and of course...Times Square at night. As every teen, I guess, she now wants to move to the Big Apple.
One week later I went to Montreal to teach. I had a very talented and nice group of Canadian ladies. Among the 7 projects that I taught, here is one using Pewter,  Laminated shell and the "Dry Point" tool that cuts metal.

Laminated shell looks great in any of the 10+ colors we have

 

Typical stairs in Montreal.  Bonnie my host took me sightseeing beautiful Montreal.

MercArt's new store!

I was in Mexico City  last week for the Grand Opening of a new MercArt store.  It was a great success and I was thrilled to see so many friends and loyal customers.

It is remarkable that my mom, who founded MercArt in 1970 (yes, 41 years ago!!!) still has the energy, and enthusiasm to open new stores!  At 78 she is indeed an exceptional role model. She is the  most positive, nice, strong and hard working woman I have ever met.

Everybody loved the big screen that shows "how to" videos.

It not only has Metal Embossing products but  many other Fine Crafts

Located in one of the most affluent neighborhoods in Mexico City.

The Quadratus canvas manufactured by Indart, the company that my dad founded more than 50 years ago!

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

August's Blog giveaway winner is:

Sarah Elizabeth Foley

Please give us your address so we send you one of each of the colored aluminum sheets.

Congratulations Sarah.

Embossing Plates

We used to carry these embossing plates in our main company in Mexico about 13 years ago. As we are opening a new store in Mexico City,  we decided to bring them back.  These are 4 of the 16 designs we have.

You can use these plates to add textures or backgrounds in Metal, Paper,  Polymer and Metal Clay.

These 4 pendants were done in Lead-free pewter using 4 of the 16 Embossing Plates.

See all the designs @ www.mercartusa.com

Nautilus

This was such a fun, simple and fast project to do.

I used Dreamweaver's stencil Nautilus LS04 and our Texture Plate #14.

MercArt's products used were:

      Teflon D-01

        Paper stump #4

       Teflon D-03

       Cup and Ball #5

       Suede

       Pewter

        Plate #14

        Filling Paste

        Pewter Patina

Texture Plate #14

 

After embossing the nautilus, I placed the pewter on the Texture Plate and rubbed the metal against the plate with the paper stump. I outlined some parts of the design with  Teflon D-01.

I finished it by adding Patina and polishing it (with silver polish paste).

This project will look great as a book or box cover.

HURRY!

Just 2 days left to take advantage of our Summer Sale!

We offer 20% off in ALL your online purchases only twice a year and this one ends on July 31st.

Visit us at www.mercartusa.com

                                                  
                                          

Wooden Chest in Pewter

I always try to teach the traditional "Repujado" (Metal Embossing)  techniques in my workshops. I believe that knowing the techniques allow you to create a wider variety of projects; from the simplest and easiest using molds or plates, up to very intricate pieces like this wooden chest.

This wooden chest was covered in Pewter. It's  such a malleable and soft metal that you can fold it, bend it and cover most any surface with it. No wonder why it is the "Rolls Royce" of metals.

The main MercArt's tools used were:

*Cup and Ball #2  #4, and #6

*Double Ball

*Teflon D-01

*Refiner LT-05

*Dry Point (to cut)

*Filling Paste

*Pewter Patina

*Suede

*Paper Stump #4

*Laminated Shell

*Pewter

The book pattern was transfered to the metal with the Teflon D-01.

Working at the back of the metal and  on the suede,  I embossed all the "raised" areas with the appropiate size of the Cup and Ball or the Double Ball. The number of the Cup and Ball tools stands for the diameter (in millimeters).

I outlined or cleaned the embossed shapes with the Teflon D-01 or the Refiner (on the front and without the suede).

The Cup and Ball tools were also used to create different sizes of dots.

After adding the Filling Paste on the embossed areas I added Patina to the whole piece and polished the metal until getting the desired shine (any good silver polish works). That is another great thing about pewter: it is the only metal that looks like real silver.

I used the Dry Point tool to cut the little windows on the metal. I did it over glass. 

I cut big pieces of Laminated Shell to fit under the cut out shapes on the metal and glued them to the wooden chest (the shell is self-adhesive). I then glued the metal over the shell and wooden piece.  You can use the  "deer foot" or flat part of Teflon D-01 or the Paper stump to make sure the metal adheres well to the surface.

So yes, Metal Embossing can be used practically anywhere. The more you know the different techniques, the more infinite the possibilities are!