Metal Flower

by Starla Nelson

Create a flower out of a sheet of metal.

Supplies

  • 40g colored aluminum metal
  • Die cutting machine of choice
  • Embossing folders of choice
  • Finishing block or fine grit sandpaper
  • Sharp scissors
  • Strong adhesive or hot glue gun
  • Optional thin mat, paper stump, pearls, buttons, embellishments

Step-by-Step

  1. Step 1

    Die cut several different sizes of flowers out of the metal.

  2. Step 2

    Emboss the die cut metal using the embossing folder

  3. Step 3

    Lightly sand the color off the raised areas of the embossed metal with the finishing block or fine grit sandpaper, if desired, exposing the aluminum

  4. Step 4 (Optional)

    You can use a paper stump and thin mat to emboss a center to the flower.

  5. Using your sharp scissors, snip fine lines to the center of the flower. The metal will automatically start to curl, creating a fringe. Arrange the fringe to your liking.

  6. Step 5 (Optional)

    Snip a small “v” between the petals to the center of the flower to create petals that you can mold as desired

  7. Step 6

    Gently bend the petals to the desired shape. Layer the different sized flowers as desired.

  8. Adhere with strong adhesive or hot glue.

    WARNING:
    If using hot glue, be VERY CAREFUL! The metal will get hot!

  9. Step 7

    Add pearls, buttons or other embellishment in center of flower if using.

    Adhere the metal flowers to your card, layout, or altered project using a strong adhesive or hot glue.


    Special thanks to Lin Brown of yoursartfully.blogspot.com for allowing me to present this tutorial based on her creative techniques.

Video!

Your Turn

You've seen the tutorial, now you try it! We've got a section of the gallery set aside for Metal Flower. Try this technique, then upload your artwork to the gallery. Show us your creations!

***Please note - Internet Explorer/Edge is not a supported browser, and will not allow you to see the videos. Please use Chrome, Firefox or Safari to view our tutorial videos.

Questions and Comments

We'd love to get your feedback or questions. Leave your comment below.

Lovely idea. Which leaf die did you use please?
Andy's girl  |  Wed May 18, 2011 at 4:52 AM
where can I find the metal sheets? I have looked in my local craft and hardware stores with no luck. Thanks.
Mary  |  Wed May 18, 2011 at 5:25 AM
This is AWESOME!!!!! I love your creative mind.
Lisa M  |  Wed May 18, 2011 at 5:28 AM
These are are wonderful! I can think of so many uses for this technique. Thank you so much for sharing!:D
Phyllis Boggs  |  Wed May 18, 2011 at 5:38 AM
Where can I purchase the colored sheets of aluminum. These are so cool. I can't wait to try them!

Amy
Amy McCue  |  Wed May 18, 2011 at 6:15 AM
I work for the Girl Scouts and our older girls are making metal jewelery and are using soft drink cans and other types of drink cans like tea, fruit juice. the tops and bottoms are cut off and the metal is very thin. Works great.
Nancy Rogers  |  Wed May 18, 2011 at 6:29 AM
Love it! Where can I purchase the colored aluminum metal ?
Laura  |  Wed May 18, 2011 at 7:23 AM
I used Sizzix sizzlet leaf die.

The metal sheets that I used can be found at eclecticPaperie or from TenSecond Studios directly. Mercart metal also carries colored metal.

Sorry, I'm having computer issues and cannot link directly for you!
Starla  |  Wed May 18, 2011 at 7:25 AM
Starla this is Awesome! I have been wanting to play around with my metal sheets to see if it works, now I know it does and exactly how to do it! I can't wait to play! Thanks for the motivation and the great tutorial!!
Anne  |  Wed May 18, 2011 at 7:35 AM
Love your tutorial. I have been doing flowers with metal pop cans to get the different colors. Its a bit tricky to cut the cans but it makes a lovely daisy flower. I make them into pins and for cards. Thanks for sharing. Neat!
Mary Ann  |  Wed May 18, 2011 at 8:17 AM
Monica Weaver addalittledazzle.com is the queen of metal art with a big shot
wondering why she never is invited to do a tutorial and video on scs?

these are great flowers and I love this project thanks for sharing!
Gwen  |  Wed May 18, 2011 at 8:44 AM
Spellbinders sells packs of colored metal that are available in my Hobby Lobby. Are they a thick enough gauge to do this technique?

If not, I can adhere them to a piece of cardstock to give them more body, and then cut, emboss, and shape!
Lynne Phelps  |  Wed May 18, 2011 at 9:37 AM
Soda pop cans are a great idea! I can use the silver side, then airbrush it to whatever color I want with Copics. You could also color it with alcohol inks.

Then it should work the same as the video when you sand off the high spots to get the contrast!
Lynne Phelps  |  Wed May 18, 2011 at 9:41 AM
I love this technique and have wanted to try using the soda pop cans as otehrs have mentioned. I have a question, is it reasonable to expect sharp edges?
Lorena  |  Wed May 18, 2011 at 11:25 AM
Monica Weaver is the Queen of all things metal! She shares on a group I'm on and wow, some incredible stuff and fantastic ideas (not affiliated with her, in fact she and I don't even know each other). Her site name is Add A Little Dazzle. She sells the sheets too in every color imaginable.

Anyway, this tutorial is fantastic--thank you so much for a great, easy to understand project. I'll be in my stamp room soon making tons of these flowers, I'm sure. They're beautiful!!!
Kathie McGuire  |  Wed May 18, 2011 at 11:47 AM
I love this !! looks fun !!! I just ordered my Big Shot I know I'm way behind everyone else smile Can't wait to try it > What die did you use for the leaves ? No craft stores around us The closest one is 3hrs away so I gotta order online . Thank you again.
Ingrid  |  Wed May 18, 2011 at 1:55 PM
I have used flashing for metal butterflies and then embossed them. I bought the flashing at the Hardware store.
Kathleen  |  Wed May 18, 2011 at 2:07 PM
Oh my word! What a FAB tutorial! LOVE these flowers!
Jodi (Kharmagirl)  |  Wed May 18, 2011 at 2:11 PM
Are these metal sheets safe?? Do they cut you when you are handling them?? I have had not had luck with anything concerning metal so thought I would ask smile
Tanya  |  Wed May 18, 2011 at 8:22 PM
Tanya
The metal sheets are safe ( I make no claims as to soda cans or flash sheeting, as I have never used those!). The only "injury" I have gotten with the metal sheets is when I have been picking up thin, wire like scraps and have shoved the pointy end into my finger. No blood, just an uncomfortable prick! HeHe.
I have bent and twisted the metal many times and have never drawn blood!
Starla  |  Wed May 18, 2011 at 9:28 PM

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The Author

Starla and her family live in Southern California. She enjoys exploring creativity in all different types of mediums.

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