Your work is always an inspiration, cleanly cut and good designs!
As I remember, your stippled background is achieved with an electric "Radio Shack" type hand held vibrator, such as we use to hand write identification on tools, etc?
My attempts with that approach result is much less attractive smooth matt backgrounds than we see in your excellent stippling. Can you give us a tip on tips? Do you use a sharp point cone, faceted pyramid, or rounded point?
Changing topics, don't come over to Mendocino yet, Greg, its still cold and kinda miserable!
Thanks for the comments all...much appreciated! Rod, I use the carbide tip that comes with the electric engraver. The only modification is that I have ground down the sides so that it will fit inside the overlay. Then I always make sure I hold the tip perpendicular to the piece being stippled. I advance the tip using small circles. Not very technical but for me that's how it works. I will try and post a picture of the tips I use.