Barry, what a wonderful piece of encouragement for others to appreciate along with the fine talent of Steve Hoel. What I mean is the ability to find new innovative ways. Have you studied pique work done in tortoise shell? I have searched for information on the technique but thus far to no avail. Your gilded technique strikes me of that type of work but you've taken it to another level.
Thanks for stimulating the learning sense.
Mark
www.MarkThomas-graver.com