File:American homes and gardens (1908) (17967901690).jpg

Title: American homes and gardens
Identifier: americanhomesgar51908newy (find matches)
Year: 1905 (1900s)
Authors:
Subjects: Architecture, Domestic; Landscape gardening
Publisher: New York : Munn and Co
Contributing Library: Smithsonian Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Biodiversity Heritage Library

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274 heavy sheet of metal is cut the shape of the sconce and immersed in the acid with- out the candle holder. This is made with a diameter of two inches, and is cut out and bent for holding the candle. The three angle pieces are cut from heavy metal and shaped to the right angle with the pliers. They are then punched and riveted to a drip cup, which is afterward fastened on to the twisted supporter. This solid piece of copper has the twist hammered with the steel hammer. The combination of glass and etched metal is very beautiful and unique. / The illustration of some etched metal over glass done in the Tiffany studios, gives many sugges- tions to craftsworkers. The group of desk fittings consists of green etched metal over cloudy green glass, and its effect is most beautiful. If the AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS July, 1908
Text Appearing After Image:
Group of Desk Fittings craftsman could purchase glass, leather or silk articles, the etched brass could be ap- plied to them, and finished firmly off with a binding of brass or copper. The pine leaf design on the frame, matchboxes and ink- stand has a ground work entirely eaten away by the acid, allowing the alien background to show through. Nearly any kind of leather or glass could be used as a back- ground. The grape design on the note-paper holder shows more intricate work. The coloring of brass and copper is done in the following way. It receives repeated applications of washings of diluted acetic acid, and is fre- quently exposed to the fumes of ammonia. This turns it a beautiful rich green. It may also be done by immersing it in a solution of one part of perchloride of iron and two parts of water. The candle shades in our other illustration show a pine leaf and grape motif. These are over a glass, and are easily within the scope of the amateur. The glass shades must be pur- chased first, so that the size of the metal shade can be made to fit them. Cut out half a circle of gaged brass, No. 28, and carefully draw the design on to it. When this has been eaten out by the acid, as previously explained, it is ready for the two ends to be riveted. File the edges and finish smoothly with emery paper, so that the candle shade looks workmanlike. In the flap that has been left at one end punch five holes for rivets. Bend the shape as evenly as possible with the hands until the ends over- ap. Then the position of each hole must be marked, when they must be punched and riveted. Then beat over the rivets hard, so as to close the holes securely round the rivets. A strip of brass must have been previously cut to fold over the edges of the candle shades, and hold them firmly to the glass shade beneath. Some small rivets must hold the binding in place on the metal candle shades, but when they are placed over the glass shades they can only be bent up to hold the glass together. The candle sticks were eaten out in the same way as the shades, but these are beyond the scope of the be- ginner, and it is best to confine the early attempts to such simple things as candle shades, sconces and other flat surfaces, beginner must, of be careful to confine herself to designs of the sim- plest possible pattern. Elabo- rately detailed work is often very beautiful and is generally wonderfully attractive; but the more complicated the design, the more work there will be to do and the more difficult it will be found. Dis- couragement often follows attempts to reproduce com- plicated patterns, which should be avoided until the elementary steps have been completely mastered. In etching on metal, as in all crafts work, the first steps are the most difficult, because most of the processes are strange and unfamiliar. There is nothing difficult in this kind of work, and a great deal of pleasure can be had from it. But one must be thoroughly familiar with the technique of the work before setting out to de- velop elaborate designs. With a very simple idea at the outset, simply developed and without unnecessary complications, it may be possible to produce serviceable objects from the very begin- ning. As more skill is obtained through practise, more elaborate pieces and more complicated designs can be undertaken. With a little appli- cation anyone may become an adept in this beautiful work.

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