Do you ever get an idea that you can hardly wait to try? This was one of those for me. I think I may have mentioned that one of my hobbies is gardening (well... it was one before hurting my hip - now it is mostly watching my family garden - LOL). Anyways - I love to add little things to discover amongst the beauty that nature provides. When I first saw the Lockhart butterflies I knew that at some point these would end up being a garden "prop". It all came together for me when the reality that Copics were indeed an alcohol based ink and therefore would work beautifully on metal, and glass, and vellum, and... the excitement level for these awesome little tools has shot me right up to Mars - maybe even Jupiter :D
So here you have my first little experiment - it certainly can use some finessing (notice the lack of antennae - way too excited to even remember such subtle details :D), but at least I hope it inspires you to start thinking outside the box with these gorgeous little creatures.
First I stamped on this awesome metal (I used the copper sheeting) using Brilliance black ink. I heat set it before continuing (be certain to use your tweezers to hold the metal because it gets HOT! - hmmm - how do you think I know the answer to that little problem? :D) Using simple little scissors I then cut out the butterfly - it is surprising how easily this metal cuts. I then took my small point embossing stylus and outlined the image. This was followed up by turning the image over and using the different sized ball ends to finish adding detail to the image. I really like these little stylus, first because they are ergonomic and therefore my fingers don't get as tired while holding these and using them. Secondly because there are six different sized ball tips starting with a VERY fine point.
The next step is the one that I was SO curious as to whether it would work. I was tickled pink with the results! The Copic Markers work beautifully to color the metal!!! I certainly need a little more practice to get it down, but woohoo - it's a start ladies! If you do not have any alcohol ink markers I am thinking that Sharpies would work as well and they come in a lot of delightful colors now as well.
To attach the butterfly to the 20-gauge copper wire I used Glossy Accents from Ranger. It took about a minute of holding it in place and then I could let it stand upright in a jar to complete the drying process over night. I curled the wire a few times around a pencil to get the curl and then voila it was ready to be planted :D
So tell me - genius, or what!?! LOL!!! Have fun making your own little garden stakes. Wouldn't they be darling to give to your mom's for Mother's Day? She could even put them into an indoor houseplant :D Have fun and please share your versions with me when you make some!
SHUT UP!! Yes, you ARE a genius -- who would have thought the markers would look so fantastic on sheet metal! Guess I'm gonna "need" some of those, LOL! Gorgeous project, Ellen!
Posted by: Sharon Harnist | May 01, 2007 at 09:33 PM
How pretty and how unique - who woulda thunk you could make something like this from a rubber stamp?? Thanks for sharing your amazing creativity!
Posted by: Lisa Trombitas | May 01, 2007 at 07:43 PM
you're a freakin genius :)
Posted by: trudee | May 01, 2007 at 06:28 PM
Yes, yes, you are a genius! You amaze me! This is beautiful!
Posted by: Mary | May 01, 2007 at 04:01 PM
Ellen...I have dropped to my knees and I am bowing to your greatness! You are just freakin brilliant!
TFS this super cool idea!
Linda
Posted by: Linda (LSN on SCS) | May 01, 2007 at 03:59 PM
WOW these are gorgeous! You're a genius in my book too! I look at the stuff that you have created and my jaw drops! You are very inspiring to me!
Thanks,
K
Posted by: Kim | May 01, 2007 at 10:51 AM
MOST DEFINITELY, YOU'RE a GENIUS!!!! I'm floored by your creation of these butterflies. I think it would mushroom if you sold these custom made!!!! I also know that you don't have the time though, LOL & TFS. {{{HUGS}}}
Posted by: Juanita | May 01, 2007 at 10:16 AM
Kathy D suggested a hairpin for the antenna, how about a paperclip? You could unwind it, straighten it out, double it over and stick it on at the same time you attach the stake. Solder might be a good way to attach them, too. These are seriously cute! Bravo!
Posted by: kathynruss | May 01, 2007 at 05:56 AM
How pretty! You are going to have people driving from miles around to see your precioius butterfly garden (think "Field of Dreams").
What about really fine hair pins for antenna?
Kathy
Posted by: Kathy D | May 01, 2007 at 03:24 AM
YES!! You ARE brilliant, and a whole host of other wonderful things! Ü This is so cool, Ellen--great idea!
Posted by: Debbie Olson | May 01, 2007 at 01:15 AM
I'd like to order one to go. No, not the embossing stylus - a butterfly! Pink, purple and a little yellow - okay?!
Posted by: pjbstamper | May 01, 2007 at 12:48 AM