Description
How to do Pewter work
Pewter has been around for many centuries. It was recently made fashionable again by designers like Carrol Boyes, who makes sought-after cutlery and other décor items from pewter. There are two ways to work with pewter:
- the relief modelling method, the design is traced onto the pewter and it is then modelled from the back using special tools. This creates a raised or relief design on the front.
- the cast pewter method, involves melting down the pewter and pouring it into moulds.
Appearance of Pewter
Pewter is sold by the metre in thin sheets of varying widths. Some sheets are shinier than others, which means they have a higher tin content. Most manufacturers place a thin layer of tin over the sheet to make it shinier. If you polish the pewter, this layer of tin can be rubbed away to expose the layer underneath. Pewter sheets are easy to work with, relatively inexpensive and you can use them to make anything from photo frames to candleholders.
Tools needed:
Apart from modelling tools, you don’t need any special materials and tools to do pewter work. This is a general list:
- Pewter sheets
- Item to be decorated: Anything with a hard surface, such as a box, frame or bottle.
- Work surface: It must be smooth and hard, something like a smooth wooden board or large, thick piece of glass.
- Modelling tools
- Filler: This is used to fill the back of a high-relief design to prevent it from being pushed back or flattened. Beeswax works best because it hardens quickly and doesn’t contract when it cools.
- Lubricant: Use petroleum jelly, baby oil, sunflower oil or liquid paraffin to help the modelling tools glide over the pewter.
- Patina: A liquid chemical to corrode the metal and give it an aged appearance.
- Metal polish: Use a household metal polish such as Brasso to polish the pewter.
- Glue:
- Soft cloth
- Rubber roller
- Cotton wool
- Tracing paper
- Scissors:
- Craft knife and cutting mat
- Pencil and ruler
- Masking tape
- Rubber gloves
