I have continued to experiment with the electrolytic etching, and have made some changes to my setup, and some discoveries.
I got tired of screwing and unscrewing the plastic connectors to the wires, and added some alligator clips from Radio Shack. These are the kind where you strip some of your insulation from your wire, then wrap it around a screw on the clip and tighten. This makes starting and stopping the etch much easier!
alligator clips for etching
detail alligator clips
I have also been experimenting with different sizes of lines, and have found that the thin lines get undercut by the etch after about 30 minutes.
note thin lines undercut
Then, as I was rereading the Art Jewelry Magazine article, I realized the pictures show the used etch turning blue and then finally a brownish color. Mine has never gotten past blue, so that made me wonder if I could continue to use the solution for more etchings - which would be very nice as it takes several days to prepare the solution. So I tried - and it worked!
mountain view with hammered edges
Then I did another one, which also worked - but still had some issues with fine lines. This one I hand colored with Prisma colors and then waxed.
hand colored
I am rather pleased with how they are turning out, and will continue to experiment with this process.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Hans Meevis 11.17.08 at 11:06 am
Neat, really neat. I am also going to mess around with etching. Thank you for the inspiration!
Jason 11.17.08 at 1:51 pm
That’s really pretty slick. I’ve never attempted etching, and am going to need to for a project or two coming up. Do you like the electrolytic more than acid etching?
bethwicker 11.17.08 at 5:27 pm
I like that it is non-toxic. I am also a printmaker, and used to do lots of etching. Quit because of the acid and fumes, etc. You really need major exhaust hoods when using it (although lots of people don’t), plus the right breathing mask…. and I just don’t want to deal with all that anymore. This does not let me do the level of detail I could in an etching, but it is giving me decent decorative designs and lines. I suspect with a different resist (I’m using a Sharpie) the results would be different. Also this is pretty fast once you have the solution made up.
Michael Johnson 12.01.08 at 3:47 pm
I am printmaker/jeweler as well. I enjoyed reading this entry, and I have tried this process. But, I never get very good results, and I find it very slow. I use Ferric chloride, which can be bought from http://www.graphicchemical.com/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=43&cat=Acids+%26+Mordants
It is not as toxic as nitric acid. It doesn’t have the same fume problem. It doesn’t undercut the lines, and it’s much faster.
Loved the blog though, keep it up :o)
Holly Swanson 02.10.09 at 11:14 am
Beth-
Love your blog and you have definitely inspired me to try etching. I’ve always been intimidated by it, but now I’m going to give it a try. Great job!
bethwicker 02.10.09 at 12:27 pm
Thanks Holly! I have found it to be a lot of fun. It lets me combine drawing with metal work in a way that is new to me. Good luck with your efforts!