Altered Book -- What's Your Word?

I'm in the middle of an altered book swap with a group of friends. Each person started with a book, either a regular book or a blank book, and picked a theme. The idea is that over the next 12 months, each of us will get a turn with her book, and will decorate a two-page spread using their interpretation of the theme. I chose a little cookbook, and the theme is "Memorable Meals." I'm hoping each person will tell a story about a memorable meal, whether it was memorable because of the food, the location, or the people you were with.

I recently worked on a friend's book whose theme was "Words." We were to pick a word that has real meaning to us. Well, so far, the artists have picked nice, touchy-feely words like "tranquility." I went in another direction. I chose the word "metal." I like to try many kinds of art and techniques, such as painting, collage, assemblage. Sometimes I need to remind myself to get back to my original love, and that's making jewelry with metal. I love bending and twisting wire. I love hammering, etching, and folding metal sheet. So I chose metal as my word.


I used silver duct tape that I textured with a stylus, then lightly covered with blue and black paint. I also used that tape to cut out the letters for "metal."


As a little gift for the book owner, I made a copper charm with her daughter's name on it.