Sunday, June 23, 2013

Etched Bracelet

I love etching metal but often find it difficult to actually use the pieces of etched loveliness.
If I use it, it will be gone.
I know...it makes no sense.
I finally decided to do something with part of that lovely stockpile.
Bracelets.....
With my metal guillotine, I cut segments of different metals etched with different patterns, making what felt like my own strange form of currency.
I purposely varied the lengths and widths by a smidge because I'm not one to go for everything perfectly matched and logically coordinated.  
That's just a bit too predictable for my liking.
My collection of etched segments were filed and sanded on all edges and corners.
Using a previously made bezel feature with a resin set image from an old Biology textbook as my pattern, I marked the drill hole locations which were drilled with my flex shaft and then cleaned up with a bur.
I mixed pieces of copper, brass and nickel and joined them with 16 gauge copper jump rings.
While I liked how everything was coming together, I thought it looked too clean and bright.
Out came my old can of liver of sulfur.
After soaking in  a warm solution of liver of sulfur and a selective cleaning with a foam sanding block....
now it's done.

4 comments:

  1. Gorgeous!! I have yet to drum up the courage to etch metal. I have a huge fear of failure! I'm so glad you used your lovely etched pieces.

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  2. Alice- If fear of failure is holding you back from trying etching, I would encourage you to go ahead and try it....it's really very easy. There are some good tutorials that you should read/watch first (Rings & Things has one)because you really do have to understand how to properly handle the ferric chloride. Go for it!!!...and I would then be interested in seeing your results!

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  3. Thanks Annika! I'm sending in my application for the Main Line Art Center Holiday Sale....assuming I'm accepted, hope to see you there.

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