Floating Stone Effect

In yesterday's blog, I explained the importance of using a sketched on grid to center the stone.  I am shooting for a "floating stone" effect...if I am successful brass will be visible around the stone which is a Hopi overlay method.  My process this month is to try and compartmentalize what I do to save time and the effort.
  By the time I got the oval cut out of the middle of the copper, I was warmed up...so I used the same blade to cut out the letter E that will go on the next recycle sign.