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 



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. 



