I've Got An Etch To Scratch

Okies...my canvas's ladies are still waiting for me to complete them but that darn etching stuff is like a disease...an etch eeeerrr itch that I just have to scratch and keep coming back too LOL.It's Jen's fault(and I love her for it LOL) and while I find my own way in etching I know all my work is greatly influenced by the classes I did with Jen Crossley,her Divine samples and the projects in Stephanie Lee's book (Semi Precious Salvage).
My two daughters snaffle anything I make in the form of a necklace and these were no exception even though they are just simple imperfect attempts.I had an etched house shape from a past project and decided to make three more the same size.I did a nickel/silver one(at left),a bronze one(middle) and a copper one(at right).I adored the look of time etched one best.They were all patina enhanced using Lime Sulphur liquid for plants...its not as smelly as Liver Of Sulphur.


I decided on nest themes for them all using wire to make the nests as per Stephanie Lee's book and Jen makes gorgeous wire nests on her blog site as well.Thicker wire gave better stronger looking nests but were harder to weave...pliers help to shape them too.There is a small dictionary word at the top that reads "fly on this copper one.

The copper wire nest on the brass one was a bit scrappy and the wire too thin I think.It has the dictionary word "chirp" on it.

I grabbed this one for myself LOL.I like the nest on this nickel/silver one

and I was getting the wrapping of the wire nests perfected by now.It has "sing" on it.

Melissa is a steam punk fan(remember her faux metal and part steam punk style mask she got me to make her in 45mins) and wanted watch bits in her nest...like a watch part collecting Bower bird LOL.I truly loved the end result and she adores it too.

Vintage supplies and trinkets are near on impossible for me to get up here in Humpty Doo(YES that is the name of my town) so I hope to buy some stuff when we go to Melbourne next year to the Creativesoul art retreat.I just know I like making things with metal and will keep practicing and hopefully get better at it too.It's cool to run into my girls in town with their Mum made necklaces on though :o).I'm thinking of making some etched metal ear-rings and bracelets to match the necklaces for Chrissy presents.

hugs

Annette In Oz