Are you like me that you like the velvety feel of acid etched glass? It changes the texture and gives the glass a totally different matte look.
If you're not familiar with the process, acid etching is when you cover the surface with hydrofluoric acid. Some beadmakers and glass artists use various materials as a "resist" to keep the acid from etching certain parts of their beads. Some use commercially made products, other products I've seen have been tapes, stickers, nail polish and even a wax application.
I use a product from my local craft store, Michaels. It's called "Etch Bath and comes in a 16 oz plastic jar. You must use extreme caution with this product. I suspend the beads directly into the jar. Depending on the amount of etch that I desire, they could be there anywhere from 5 minutes to 15 minutes. Be sure not to get any on you. Wearing rubber gloves is recommended as well as good ventilation.
Here's a little historical tidbit...acid etching was first developed on a commercial scale by Richardson’s of Stourbridge, England, which registered a patent in 1857.
Recently, one beadmaker whose work I've really noticed who uses acid etching is Katherine Wadsworth of Natalia Designs. I think her purple iris bead is exquisite.
So what have you tried with acid etching? I'd love to see it. Or tell us about your experience. I know I'm going to be doing more of it.
Hi Marcy, I like etching! I tried etching my monkees and found it gave them a much softer appearance. I use wooden kebab sticks to put a bead on and then submerge it in the etching liquid. I put white glue on their eyes to try and keep their eyes shiny, but think I'll give nail polish a go too!
ReplyDeleteI find that etching can sometimes save a bead that looks ugly and turn it into something quite beautiful.
thank you for spelling this out for me. i have tried etching with 'armour etch' once, (i made some etched vases with it once and had it left over). Well that DOESNT work on fused glass. I bathed the pendants in it for 40 minutes!! and only an uneven haze appeared. I have been wanting to make 'beach glass' looking pendants for my summer sales in cape cod and now i can try it! thank you!
ReplyDeleteI use it occasionally too. I use a large paperclip and bend it just right so the bead is on one end and the other end I can hang on the side of the dish that I use.
ReplyDeleteI use nail polish on the areas that I don't want etched.
At halloween I etched ghosts and left the eyes shiny. They were adorable (imo). :)