Repurposed Repoussé

It’s always fun and challenging teaching a new course. Part of the fun comes from finding exciting and interesting projects. While considering the first project for my new Crafts 1 class, I stumbled upon a crate of cigar boxes that another art teacher had donated to me. I didn’t know what to do with them at the time, but as all art teachers do with interesting objects they come across, I hoarded them.

Project Inspiration
I saw a lesson in an art education magazine where the objective was to transfer patterned designs onto tooling foil, then extend those patterns from the foil onto a 2D black matted surface using colored pencils.

Looking at the cigar boxes, an idea struck me—why couldn’t I create a similar project but in 3D form? Students could extend the patterns from their foil designs onto the top and four sides of their boxes. I felt this would create an even stronger 3D piece, and students would enjoy repurposing the boxes into keepsake containers.

Patterning Practice
Students brainstormed and sketched ideas for patterns on worksheets. They could use references I supplied or create their own original patterns. Next, I demonstrated proper repoussé, chasing, and embossing techniques. Students chose at least five of their best patterns and practiced transferring them onto scrap pieces of foil.
Students were excited to see how their 2D patterns looked as reliefs and soon discovered that some patterns looked better than others. They also realized that some designs looked better from the reverse side. They spent several days experimenting with patterns.

Designing and Transferring
Once students had mastered the five patterns on their scrap pieces, they designed their final pieces on paper. I stressed that they should include a meaningful focal point. Symbols, icons, initials, and jersey numbers were just some of the focal points that were used. Then students hinged their design over a piece of foil cut to the same size as their paper and used pressure from their wooden stylus to transfer their design.

Repoussé and Chasing
Some students included so much detail that their foil work took more than a week to finish. But all of their practice paid off, with high-quality repoussé and chasing work from most.

Once students completed their foil piece, they brushed india ink over the surface. When the ink dried, it was mostly removed using a small piece of steel wool. This enabled the upper parts of the design to revert to the foil’s silver color. Students enjoyed the ability to control the contrast between black and silver to enhance their pieces. Completed foil pieces were then hot-glued to the tops of their black gesso-painted boxes.

Design Work
Students continued their patterns off the foil and down all four sides of their box. Preliminary work was done in pencil, with some students including additional graphics. Once the entire box had been penciled in, students outlined it using a soft white colored pencil.

At this point, students were ready to color. We used soft, high-quality colored pencils. I also provided gel pens and paint markers. Students relished the challenge of working on the 3D surface of the box, though holding it securely was challenging at times. They were extremely focused and enjoyed personalizing their boxes.

Finishing Up
The completed boxes were sprayed with a high-gloss acrylic protective finish, which added a professional look. For a final touch, students chose a decorative patterned paper to line the inside of their boxes. They were extremely proud of their finished work. Many exclaimed, “I’m going to really use this!” or “I’m giving this to my dad for Christmas!”

As a teacher, there’s nothing better than hearing students say they’ll cherish something they made in class.