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Metal

If you've been in any craft store lately, you've probably noticed that there are some brand-new products showing up on the shelves. This summer has been the season of metal working. I've noticed in all three of the national-chain craft stores near my home a surge in wire, wire tools, and in one particular store, bench-working supplies. (Which I have to say, was quite exciting having just come back from the show and having learned a lot of techniques.)

My first word of advice when thinking about delving into metals is not to be afraid. I like to start by reading up on the subject. Then, I recommend taking a class from someone who really knows what they're talking about. Finally, run! Run wild!

Once you know safety basics and basic techniques, you really can do most of the things you're yearning to do with a basic butane torch. OK, I'll say it outright -- fire. When I think of metal, I think of soldering, creating ball-tipped head pins and firing metal clay. These can all be accomplished with a butane torch -- like the one you may use for making creme brule. There are a few basics you'll need for your initial setup, but the cost is relatively low compared with other media.

If fire just isn't your thing, you may just want to consider stamping, riveting and texturing metals. These techniques can easily be learned through books and online video classes. I always recommend taking a class at some point in that certain subject you wish to learn more about. There are things that you learn in class, whether from the instructor, other classmates or just by doing a technique yourself with supervision, that you can't always get by self-learning.

Let Us Know

Let us know which metal techniques you'd like to know more about, and Corene and I can work them into our upcoming newsletters. Remember, this is your newsletter, and we want to provide information about techniques that you want to learn.