Day 15 NaBloWriMo Metal Etching

Metal Etching ** NOTE ** THIS IS NOT A "HOW TO" POST *** I DON'T HAVE ALL STEPS IN THE PROCESS BELOW ****


For this post, I thought I’d share a recent experience with the Beading Society. I’m so happy that Bev taught this. She IS the Master in the Beading World. Hands Down. I’m going to start by saying that Bev didn’t just have all the materials, she was “safety first” with gloves, goggles and EPA safety on the disposal of chemicals. Everything was well thought out and the process went very smoothly, which is saying a lot considering there are a lot of steps. Kudos to you, Bev!!























Ok, so, to start with ~ we took out the various copper and brass pieces. Then, we picked out our stamp and used a specific type of ink (you can also use a Sharpie pen and nail polish for the process) and put the design on the metal.



































We burnished the items onto a piece of masking tape. Making sure all the sides and back had full contact with the tape.















In the picture, Bev had Mary Lou’s assistance as the “10 minute jiggle” lady. She put the pieces of tape into the Ferric Chloride. We all had to time when our pieces needed to be jiggled and when they had to come out.






























Then, each of us put on gloves, removed the tape from the Ferric Chloride and gave it a Baking Soda bath.

Ok, I need to add something at this point. See, I was busy taking pictures, so I wasn’t looking directly into the Baking Soda to see the chemical reaction. When it was my turn to take it out of the dish and give it a bath, I wasn’t prepared for the bubbling baking soda. It freaked me out a little and I thought, “IT’S ALIVE!” OK, I know better, but like I said, I wasn’t prepared for the sight. Lol.




































Towards the end, you give the pieces a quick dip in Liver of Sulfur. Ok, ummm, have you ever smelled this stuff? Think – Rotten Eggs. For those of you who came back after Katrina – Think – REFRIGERATOR. Yeah, that bad. (Kind of fitting that we did this on top of the garage can lid!) I will say this though, the Liver of Sulfur gives it character. Here's my finished product:


























Thanks again, Bev. I’d like to do this again, but I’d want company. Call me a wuss, but chemicals make me nervous (How did I end up marrying a Chemical Engineer? I get nervous whenever he goes to work! Yes, Honey, I say a prayer for your safety daily!) I’d like to make more metal etchings and try the Silver Black on the pieces too and maybe even bake them to see how the patina changes it! (Bev, you might have created a monster)




(Quick little note, the Fleur de Lis was a stamp that Greg bought for me before we got married. The stamp was a favorite in the group and was stamped for many! Oh and the neat design above the Fleur de Lis and to the right is an Egyptian sign. Beaula had these stamps and this particular sign means, "Learn from your mistakes" -I like it!)