Trying Something Different

This week's Find Your Voice's challenge was to combine two known beadmakers' styles into a single bead.
So I came up with this fish.

One does sculptural work and the other has a very organic, kind of ancient feel to her work. I knew this would be fun and an excellent idea for beadmakers to try new things.

So I started with a base of that CIM color that looks kind of mossy green, (anyone know the name?) and I added some stripes and details. I was hoping they'd show through the assorted enamels that I sifted over it afterward.

I added a little frit to the body (forgot to reduce it, darn it.) and then added silver foil to the fins.

I really loved how it looked right out of the kiln, but if I was going to make it look ancient and more of the one beadmaker's style, then I had to acid etch it too. I left it in for about half an hour. I was sorry that there was just a smidgen of silver left, but knew that would probably happen.

The best part of Sylvie's class assignment , is that made me do something that I don't normally do. The colors are different, the style is different and you know what, I had a great time making Magda. (You didn't know that's her name, did you?) . So now I'm challenging you. Try picking two styles and combining them. Send me a link so I can see what you did. I'd love to see the results.

See you tomorrow.

Let's Talk Acid Etching on Glass

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.