How to Emboss Velvet for that finishing touch
I have had to learn dozens of skills in the pursuit of making daguerreotyping. I needed to learn woodworking, leathercraft, CNC machining, electoplating, gold tooling, bookbinding, etc. One of the most fun little tips that I picked up along the way was this simple method for embossing velvet.
The side facing the daguerreotype in 19th century daguerreotype (and ambrotype) cases was often a silk velvet that had been embossed. Back in the day they would use a hand-engraved metal stamp for this but for our purposes a rubber stamp works just fine.
I finally figured out how to do this and now, years later, have found a video on YouTube that demonstrates the exact same method that I use. Enjoy!
You can use any number of bold stamps. I have found many on eBay. Recently I have acquired some new technology that can be used to etch my own custom stamps with ease. I just used this new method to customize a stamp by addnig the date upon which the gift will be given.
This method is extrememly durable. I’ve found that the best results come from using an artificial rayon velvet. Got any to show?
Jonathan
Thanks for showing me something related to daguerreotypes that is actually simple.
I had no idea there was any part of the craft that didn’t require a lifetime of devotion to master!