Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Copper Birdcage



I tried something new today.....the copper technique. I found this technique through the talented Loll Thompson at Stamping with Loll. She has made several gorgeous cards using this technique. She also gives wonderful instructions on her blog about what kind of copper to buy and other tips concerning heating the copper to get pretty pinks, oranges, and blues.

I bought my copper from Hobby Lobby (ordered online) and it is from a company called K&S Engineering. It is soft copper-.005 thick-36 gauge. It cuts really well with scissors. I have read several ways crafters heated theirs but my husband heated mine with his industrial Makita heat gun. It gets hot so I was a bit afraid to try it. I had some pretty blues in mine but not on this piece. If it gets overheated, it turns to silver. 

This copper embosses beautifully and this die cut did great. I tried a much more intricate die cut first and it would not cut all the pieces. I used the Grand Calibur which cuts my intricate dies really well but couldn't get the most intricate one to cut with copper.

I made my card for the Mix60 mix-ability challenge on Splitcoaststampers. I am loving mixed media so much...fun, fun.  The challenge was: The Printed Word-incorporate printed text from old book, newsprint, etc. I just used a piece of designer paper with words on it. I placed a Tim Holtz stencil over it and sprayed with Tattered Angels glimmer mist/Dragonfly.

Challenges: Use Your Stuff Challenge Blog-challenge #128-INKS--I used Tattered Angels glimmer mist, Dragonfly

Tip Top Tuesday-Metal or Faux Metal-I'm using copper that has been heated with a heat gun
My tip for the Tip Top Tuesday challenge: Never leave your craft heating tool plugged in after using. I left mine plugged and it fell off a chair and landed on the "on" switch and starting running. There were papers nearby that could have overheated had I not been close.

Recipe:
Stamps-None
Paper-PTI white cardstock, Bazzill/Robin's Egg, Kraft, MME paper pad/Sunshine
Accessories-Taylored Expressions/Bless Your Nest-bird die, Tim Holtz/Bubble Layering Stencil, Marianne Creatables/Forest Branch, Spellbinders/Bird Sanctuary-birdcage, Tattered Angels glimmer mist/Dragonfly



37 comments:

Hussena said...

What a gorgeous card Benzi ..I love that bronze bird cage you have created looks so beautiful !!

Beebeebabs said...

Wow such a beautiful card - love the bronze bird cage tfs!!!

Cathy said...

Wow, you did a great job with this technique!! So pretty! I love that your hubby helped too! I have not found the time to craft lately! I ordered a new stamp, it should arrive any day now! Perhaps that might motivate me to get in the craftroom!

Desire Fourie said...

Absolutely gorgeous and all the elements work so well together.
Hugs
Desíre
{Doing Life – my personal blog}

Carol L said...

THis is so impressive and pretty! I don't know if I'm more fascinated with the copper birdcage or the awesome background you've made! I really like this one, well done!!

jimlynn said...

WOWSERS!!!! Breath taking beautiful! Love the shine of that copper and it was a perfect die for this. The way you used the stencil in the background over that paper is wonderful too. FANTASTIC!
Lynn

Marisa said...

This is gorgeous. Beautiful bird cage and love the dots in the BG too. Well done :)

Bonnie said...

The copper made a beautiful bird cage, Brenda! I love the colors in it! Great job on the stenciling too!

Inkyfingers said...

Wow, Benzi you rock at mixed media! I love the background and the copper birdcage is wonderful!

Lynne in NI said...

Oooheee that bird cage is absolutely beautiful!
Good tip about your heat gun too .... I usually do unplug and move mine in case a nosey dog's nose gets burnt!

~Tammy~ said...

Yay team! This is so fun!!!

Irish Cherokee said...

Love that copper cage Benzi! Might try is some time. Worked with metal for 15 years. Not hard when you know how. Really great card.

Donna Ellis said...

Wow! Your birdcage really shows off the brilliance of your copper magic, Benzi! Love the subtle colors from heating. Thanks for the links and inspiration! BEAUTIFUL! hope your day is extra special! xo

Becky said...

wow, this is gorgeous. Love the background and love this copper cage.

Isbaha said...

The look is amazing ! Gorgeous card. Thanks for playing along with us at Use Your Stuff !

Sassy Raggedy said...

Brenda this is awesome. I love the copper birdcage. I always love seeing what you come up with. This is just beautiful...Hugs, joann

NanaConnie said...

Stunning, Benzi! I love the colors you achieved on the birdcage. What a fantastic look!

MaryH said...

Oh I am so loving this. I love Loll's technique. Have been told you can do this with a good hot heat gun, but never tried it. We bought a kit at HDepot and DH did mine for me. There's a definite knack to knowing just when to stop with the heat, as we overheated a couple early pieces too. Yours looks great. Had the same problem with the copper sheets. Some dies cut well, some don't. I tried a MB leaf die, not much luck. Sizzix thicker die did better in the Big Shot. You did an awesome job with the birdcage, Miz B, and love the background with your birdies & their shiny home. You're going to town on this mixed media stuff. Well DONE! TFS & Hugs

Lee-Anne said...

Your heated copper turned out beautifully, Brenda! Love the colors you've achieved! Wonderful card!

Loll said...

Wow!! That copper birdcage is AMAZING! Great job with the heating Benzi ... lots of beautiful colors in this piece. Loll xx

Sue said...

This is gorgeous Benzi :))) huggles Sue xx

Emily Keaton said...

Wow, that copper bird cage is EXQUISITE, Benzi! Your card is beautiful, and I just love the stenciled bookpage background. Very cool!

Sam K said...

This is stunning! What amazing colours and a technique I had not heard of, thanks for sharing I will def be trying this out :) Fab tip too, so glad you were there to stop it x Thank you for joining us over at Top Tip Tuesday. Good luck, Hugs Samantha K x

Davi said...

That is beautiful Brenda, I love the copper bird cage, look wonderful with the bird :)

MiamiKel said...

Oh my word, this is stunning!! I am in love! Your work is so classic and elegant and this one is just jaw dropping! I just saw copper/foil in Joanns the other day and didn't have a clue what it was for, lol! Surprise! ♥

Shirley said...

Wow, Breanda! What a gorgeous card and love that copper! You sidetracked me to Loll's to get the technique! LOL Love everything you did right down to the stenciled background!!

JD/ Jill said...

That bird cage is so stunning! Nice job with this technique!

Unknown said...

Well we southern girls have to stick together, right. :) I love your card and the bird cage is awesome. It immediately caught my eye as your post was loading. Fab job on our Metal or Faux Metal challenge at Top Tip Tuesday. Good luck!!!

Unknown said...

PS-great tip, I've done the same thing but had someone watching over me. :)

Amanda said...

This looks awesome! Thanks for joining us at Use Your Stuff this week!

Anonymous said...

gorgeous card and that birdcage is stunning!
Thanks for joining our ink challenge at Use Your Stuff this week and hope to see you again.
Tammy DT

Joanne (jojot) said...

regal birdcage....cool colors

Anonymous said...

So pretty!!!!! Love the faux metal!

nwilliams6 said...

I am definitely getting some copper! Your cage is so great and your card is wonderful! Hugz!

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous card and colours, Great Tip too! I ALWAYS leave my heat gun plugged in never considered it falling off and turning on! I have now turned it off at the plug too! thanks!

Thanks for Playing along with us this time at Top Tip Tuesday Challenge, hugs Samantha :0)

Carol Hurlock said...

Wow, I love that copper. It just shines beautifully. I am loving the colors that come out of it when you heat it. That is so unique. Have fun experimenting. You're doing a beautiful job.
Bear Hugs,
Carol

Colleen Dietrich said...

The metal birdcage is a stunning centerpiece here! I've never tried diecutting metal. Ehh, I'm always late to try new trends and techniques. :/