Page:Embroidery and Fancy Work.djvu/150

146 chose that time to provoke the Saint to unsaintly anger. Saint Dunstan, or as the French say, Saint Eloy, instead of giving way to wrath, calmly took Satan by the nose, drawing it out to the great length which it has since had, and destroying the last trace of beauty in the fallen angel. The story was intended to teach all workers in brass and other metals, that they must be very patient, especially in annealing. Annealing oxidizes and softens the metal. While hammering cold sheet brass, the oft repeated blows harden the metal and cause brittleness. This brittleness is removed by annealing, which restores the original ductility or softness. After working, the metal must be cleaned by boiling it in sulphuric acid, mixed or diluted with from six to twelve parts of water. With thin sheets of good metal, annealing for amateurs will not be necessary when making basso-relievos, or very low relief."

Sheet silver can be worked in the same way as brass. A napkin ring or a bangle bracelet can thus be made by an amateur. The most workmanlike way would be to procure the circlet ready joined, and work it on a wooden block wrapped with paper to make it fit tightly, or else to fill it with "pitch;" or it can be worked flat and afterwards made up by a jeweler, who will also solder up any little holes you may have made. Often the ground of beaten silver will turn black with time, but this adds to its beauty by bringing out the work in stronger relief.

Simple designs may also be engraved on silver by the amateur. The work is done with a graver similar to that used by a wood engraver. Practice on a piece of zinc, cutting perfectly straight lines, cutting them lightly or more deeply at will. Vary this with curves and spirals.

Metals may also be etched. The directions given by the author already quoted, are as follows: