Are you ready to step into a timeless art form that is reimagined for today?
Maybe you know it as “Tin Art” or “Mexican Metal Folk Art”, no matter what, you are about to learn how it all works and how to create it.
Metal embossing, also known as chasing and repoussé, transforms a simple sheet of metal into a richly dimensional work of art. In this online course, artist Elitia Hart invites you into the process of embossing, engraving, and altering sheets of pewter into pieces that feel both timeless and uniquely personal.
With just a small setup and a handful of tools, you’ll discover how incredibly satisfying it is to shape, engrave, and build dimension in metal.
There’s something almost magical about watching your design rise and come to life under your hands, and Elitia is here to guide you every step of the way.
Designed for both beginners and those ready to expand their skills, Elitia’s teaching style is clear, relaxed, and deeply encouraging, making each step feel approachable and achievable.
Together, you’ll explore:
- How to transfer your design with confidence
- Engraving and embossing techniques using a variety of tools and surfaces
- Creating low relief for subtle depth and detail
- Building high relief to make your focal elements truly stand out
- Reinforcing your work with an organic filler for strength and structure
- Applying a rich patina to enhance textures and inks to add more detail
- Adding a final touch by framing your piece for immediate display or to give as a gift
This isn’t about perfection; it’s about discovery, creativity, and gaining confidence in a process that’s both grounding and inspiring.
By the end of this course, you won’t just have a finished piece to be proud of, you’ll have the skills, techniques, and inspiration to continue creating artwork that feels uniquely yours.
Let’s experience this creative process together!
Your Instructor
I am Elitia Hart, a South African born metal crafter now living in Calgary, Canada. Having worked with and explored a variety of artistic materials and techniques, I found my true medium of expression when introduced to metal sheet embossing in 1999.
I have enjoyed sharing my knowledge and technique, teaching introductory and advanced metal art classes at my home studio in Calgary, Canada, in retail stores, and for retreat groups in Canada, the US, Mexico, and France.
My philosophy on metal art mark making is that “more is more and less is a bore” and “if it makes a mark, it is a tool”.
This craft offers endless possibilities, and I am constantly evolving by developing new classes that will ignite an unbridled enthusiasm for this medium in card makers, scrapbook enthusiasts, and dabblers in mixed media.
I have created a variety of “how to” videos for metal embossing that can be viewed on my YouTube channel, and I can be found on Facebook at Elitia Hart Metal Art or #metalartchick on Instagram
Course Curriculum
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StartIntro and personal interview with Elitia and Tami (8:30)
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StartPDF for Download. Suggested Materials and Resources
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StartDownload Images for Project
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StartCourse Overview (1:37)
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StartMaterials Tour (7:07)
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StartPewter Cutting Demo (4:07)
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StartBookmark Images
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StartCutting and Tracing Sample Bookmark (4:05)
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StartDemo Sample Bookmark: Engraving + Low Relief (9:41)
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StartIntro to Melting Pot with Bees Wax for High Relief (2:29)
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StartHigh Relief Demo (4:06)
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StartFill High Relief with Wax (2:44)
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StartTooling and Detail Touches (7:27)
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StartAdding Patina & Color Bookmark (13:28)
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StartCut Pewter & Transfer Design for Main Project (10:36)
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StartAlter Design & Re-engrave Lines (4:45)
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StartEngraving & Embossing Design (21:08)
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StartReview Engraving & Embossing: Start High Relief (9:12)
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StartRelining & High Relief (7:36)
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StartHigh Relief Female Form (8:25)
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StartSquare High Relief (5:10)
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StartAdding Depth & Detail with Varied Techniques (13:58)
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StartBuilding Dimension: Adding Wax for High Relief (13:59)
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StartCreating Patina: The Pewter Oxidation Process (19:22)
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StartDefining Your Work with Dark Details (17:48)
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StartFinishing Details (11:04)
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StartSecuring Artwork to a Backing Board. Adding Alcohol Ink for Color and Interest (16:51)
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StartFinal Step: Sealing with Protective Spray (0:18)
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StartFraming Process (4:30)
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StartMounting Your Artwork to the Frame (5:36)
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StartWrap Up & Thank You! (0:29)
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StartThe Introduction to Metal Embossing Female Form Photo Sample Sheet and Instructions