Embossing Foil St. Nicholas Icons

By Halyna McEvoy and Nataliya Shevchuk, Josyf Cardinal Slipyj School, Etobicoke, Ontario

Here is an art activity using embossing foil to make St. Nicholas icons.

Materials

• Embossing foil in copper or silver color
• Icon picture, below for designs to fit 5-inch foil squares, or from our coloring pages, use 1/4 size of original (or whatever size you wish).
• Dull pencil or embossing tools to press into contours of image
• Paper clips
• Masking tape (for protecting foil edges)
• Optional: Cardstock, for mounting completed art; scissors, hot glue, ribbon

Instructions

1. Choose image below or from our coloring pages to print in black and white. Download and print full size. Then, using photocopier, reduce size and create pages with the images to use. Smaller sizes should have images with fewer details.
2. Cut embossing foil 1/2-inch larger than the image. 
   Safety tip: Fold strips of masking tape around all sides of the cut foil protect student's hands and fingers.
3. Put picture on top of the embossing foil with a paper clip. Give one to each person. (Each person may write their name on a piece of masking tape and put it on the back temporarily).
4. Instruct and demonstrate how to trace the image so that it appears clearly on the embossing foil. Press firmly but not deeply to avoid poking holes in the foil. Go over the design twice, pressing more deeply than the first time.
Tip: The picture may be lifted up to check their progress.
5. Once the entire picture has been traced, remove the paper and, using a glue gun, mount it onto a small piece of cardstock.
   Both sides of the foil may be checked to decide which side is preferred.
6. Names may be signed on the bottom of the cardstock below the foil image.

From Halyna McEvoy and Nataliya Shevchuk, Josyf Cardinal Slipyj School, Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada. Used by permission.

PDFs with designs for 5-inch embossing foil—for other sizes adapt our coloring pictures.

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