Embossed Mexican "Tin" Mirrors

Brought over with the Spanish colonists as a basic material for utensils and wares, tin soon became a medium for art in Mexico and continues to be today. Artisans cut, beat, stamp, shape, punch, etch, or press the tin by hand into an endless array of practical and decorative pieces.
In this project, students learned how to symmetrical create radial designs on sketch paper. Then, using special wooden tools, students traced their three designs onto 6" 36-gauge aluminum squares and carefully embossed them to create a raised surface on the front. Next, we painted the metal with India ink and rubbed them with steel wool to reveal the embossed design. A mirror was added and the three are hung together to create these unique Mexican tin art-inspired artworks!