How it’s done
There are different methods of creating chasing and repousse work. Below is the Eastern European method. There is also the Italian method, which I employ as well. I use chasing and repousse in most of my work. This technique is my passion.
Here, I’m making a link for a chain. I used the photo of the marigold as inspiration, drew it in my sketchbook, then sketched it on the metal.
I place the metal in a bowl of pitch. This pitch holds the metal so it doesn’t collapse. I use thin tools called liners to outline all the edges of the pattern. Some liners are straight, some are curved.
I turned the metal over in the pitch and following the lines from the front, I hammered from the back to push out the metal. This repoussage is seen on the front as the raised portion.
After the repoussage from the back, I work the front again, defining and refining all the details, until I’m satisfied with the results.
I then remove the metal from the pitch, clean it and finalize the piece so that it is wearable art. This may include further fabrication, such as soldering or stone setting. This piece was part of the A Hundred for One CERF+ Donation Chain, created by over 100 world wide artists, and is currently in a private collection.