So I decided to try making my own metal tarot cards. I’ve always loved the look of metal but never tried to work with it for something this detailed.
Getting Started Was a Mess
First thing I did was grab some thin aluminum sheets from the hardware store. I figured it would be easy to cut. Man, was I wrong. I tried using regular scissors and just bent the sheet. So I went back and got some metal shears. That worked, but the edges were all jagged and sharp. I spent like an hour just filing them down smooth. My hands were killing me.
Figuring Out the Design
Next, I had to get the design onto the metal. I printed out a simple tarot card design on paper. I thought I could just trace it. I taped the paper to the metal and started scratching along the lines with a nail. It sort of worked, but the lines were super faint and messy. It looked like a kid did it. I wasn’t happy.
I remembered something about etching. I watched a few videos online and saw people using electricity. I didn’t have any fancy equipment, just a old phone charger I cut up. I mixed some salt and vinegar in a bowl, hooked up the wires, and dipped the metal in. It started bubbling! I got excited, but then I left it in too long and the design got all eaten away. Ruined the first piece completely.
Finally Making Progress
I almost gave up, but I had extra metal. This time, I used a permanent marker to draw the design thickly on the metal. I figured the marker would resist the etching. I tried the salt and vinegar bath again, but this time for a much shorter time. I kept checking it every minute. After a few tries, it actually worked! The etched lines were clear. Not perfect, but way better than scratching.
Then I wanted some color. I had some old model paint. I carefully painted inside the etched lines. It was hard to keep it neat. I used a toothpick to help. After the paint dried, I sanded the surface lightly to wipe off any paint outside the lines. That made the design really pop against the shiny metal.
What I Ended Up With
In the end, I made one card. Just one. The Magician. It’s not symmetrical, the etching is a bit deep in one spot, and the paint is a little messy if you look close. But it feels solid and heavy in my hand. It’s definitely unique. I learned a ton about what not to do. Maybe next time I’ll try a simpler design or a different metal. It was a fun, frustrating, but totally satisfying project.
