Etching

[CorriDawn]

How come when I try to etch my beads they don't come out looking like other peoples? mine look all uneven and stuff, not velvety like the ones I see on ebay

[AZ Joolz]

You might need to ask that in the tips area... :) reminds me that I want to know if etched beads can be re-etched after they get yucky next to silver....How come when I try to etch my beads they don't come out looking like other peoples? mine look all uneven and stuff, not velvety like the ones I see on ebay

[CorriDawn]

etch all I think. it is liquid stuff in a big bottle with blue label. I think I might leave them in too long without moving them around or something

[Anne Ricketts]

Thanks for the compliments ya'll! :waving: I use Dip and Etch liquid when I etch my beads. I time them also, a minute on each side then I put them in a baking soda/water solution to stop the etching process. I then wash them with dish soap and rinse and that's it! :grin:

[CorriDawn]

what do you mean a minute on each side? so like you flip them halfway through? but are they always completely submerged?

[Anne Ricketts]

I have my liquid in a bigger plastic container, just easier that way to get the beads out. I flip them because the part of the bead that is laying on the bottom of the container dosen't get etched if I don't flip.

[GreatBeadsOfFire]

Ya know Corri, in order to get the "perfect etch" you need to first put on some soft and relaxing music, light at least 3 candles then, while standing on one foot, carefully put the beads in the etching solution. Wait exactly 4.59 minutes and then pull them out while chanting "You are beautiful, gorgeous beads. You are so beautiful I may never make another bead. You are perfection!" Then just rinse in soapy water, blow out the candles and change the radio station. DONE!

[Tink]

etch all I think. it is liquid stuff in a big bottle with blue label. I think I might leave them in too long without moving them around or something

Corri, I used to have that problem too. Now I tie them on a leather cord and put them in an old medicine bottle (plastic) with some Etch Bath and shake them for a minute or so. Silky smooth.

[CorriDawn]

well, tink, that brings up the point of etching vessels... I etched one and some stuff got in the vessel but didn't cover the iinside or something so then it was funky. do you cork or something before etching?

[Tink]

Etching the inside of a transparent vessel gives a different look than leaving it shiny. Sometimes I want to etch it, but if I don't, I just fill it with water and cork it before etching. The water keeps it from floating.

[CorriDawn]

thanks... I have a few etched vessels that look like crap because i tried to etch the inside too

[Mr. Smiley]

I had no idea about not etching the inside of a vessel... thanks a bunch! If I ever etch a soft glass vessel, I'll need to know that. You guys rock! :D

[Islandgirl]

This seems to have turned into am etching tutorial, I've actually read all 10 pages over the last 4 nights no comment! However I do have some etching questions!

So... back to etching, when I etch anything that has frit the frit stays shinny, I'm using etch all, I've tried one bead suspended bunches of beads all shook up, longer time doesn't improve it.... What am I doing wrong?

Lynne

PS I thought the three legged mug was really cute, however I could only see two legs in the picture!

[Mr. Smiley]

This seems to have turned into am etching tutorial, I've actually read all 10 pages over the last 4 nights no comment! However I do have some etching questions!

So... back to etching, when I etch anything that has frit the frit stays shinny, I'm using etch all, I've tried one bead suspended bunches of beads all shook up, longer time doesn't improve it.... What am I doing wrong?


I'm sure it has something to do with the composition of the frit. What will etch morreti will not etch other glass. I'm a boro guy and need to bust out the sand blaster to etch my work. Maybe the acid isn't strong enough for some of the different frits being used... they aren't the same glass as the main bead, that's why you can't use too much. :love:

[Anne Ricketts]

What Brent said, some of the frits will not etch but, it makes a nice contrast sometimes! :biggrin:

[CorriDawn]

I would say you are right Brent since aren't most frits glass blowing glass which is a much harder glass?

[Anne Ricketts]

Sarakay does some great etched beads too.. her florals ones are so cool. I drool over them and how the flowers aren't as etched
I love mine that she traded with me!!! =P~

[sarakay]

Sarakay does some great etched beads too.. her florals ones are so cool. I drool over them and how the flowers aren't as etched

I got the hint! :grin:

The transparent orange resists etching more than some of the other colors, that's why the flowers aren't as etched. And I do a short soak...about 4 minutes, 5 for transparent greens. They seem to be harder.

I'm going to go watch TLC...maybe "what not to wear" will be on. I love that show! I've lost a ton of weight in the past couple of years, and have no idea how to dress myself in something flattering, so the show helps. I need a haircut, too.

[Rhapsody Fire Beads]

Well............ from experience, acid etch wears out! I mean OUT!! You have to buy a new bottle every now and then, and even with a brand spanking new one, I still can't etch a bead in under 9 minutes?? Now mine is coming to me with a freshness date on it. Kinda like a Budwiser born on date. :-D
And..............................Have you seen my wonkie eyed kitty, Serinetta?
3237
And............................. have you seen what Jason is up to lately?
3668

[andreajane]

About etching....I have a few etched beads that have so far been to every show I've done, and every time at least one person will pick them up and say "oh, is this polymer clay?" I'm guessing that the people who come to my table are looking for glass, and many might be assuming these are clay without asking. I like polymer clay beads and I wish I had time to pick up another hobby or I'd try it out, but my question (finally!) is, has anyone been able to un-etch beads?

Since I've sold unetched versions of these particular beads quite a few times, I really don't think the flaw is in the bead itself. But I guess it could be :-)

Andrea

[sarakay]

Etching works best with transparent glass.

[andreajane]

Etching works best with transparent glass.

Yes, the beads I'm talking about are all opaques. I have no trouble selling my etched transparents. I was wondering, though, if anyone has tried to heat etched beads back up and polish them again?

Heck,they're not selling, maybe I'll just try it!

Andrea

[Mr. Smiley]

About etching....I have a few etched beads that have so far been to every show I've done, and every time at least one person will pick them up and say "oh, is this polymer clay?" I'm guessing that the people who come to my table are looking for glass, and many might be assuming these are clay without asking. I like polymer clay beads and I wish I had time to pick up another hobby or I'd try it out, but my question (finally!) is, has anyone been able to un-etch beads?

Since I've sold unetched versions of these particular beads quite a few times, I really don't think the flaw is in the bead itself. But I guess it could be :-)

Andrea

You may be able to polish it off of the surface... glass is like a stone in many ways... think lapidary equipment... or maybe even tumble those beadies. ;)

[andreajane]

Does tumbling polish glass? I'm totally ignorant about tumbling...

Andrea

[Tink]

I do a lot of flame-polishing, and it's time consuming. But it definitely can be done. But in most cases you'd spend less time just making a new bead...

[andreajane]

Thanks, Tink. I guess I'll just use them as "studio examples"....

Andrea

[Mr. Smiley]

Tumbling with the right grit in the right order for long enough will polish most anything... if you have the time ;) I've not had too much success. i give up too early. I'm kind of an instant gratification guy.

[Tink]

I'm kind of an instant gratification guy.

:lol:

[andreajane]

Tumbling with the right grit in the right order for long enough will polish most anything... if you have the time ;) I've not had too much success. i give up too early. I'm kind of an instant gratification guy.
Me too. That's why my friends who've seen me lose it just from having to stand in line can't believe I make beads. I tell them, it may take patience, but it doesn't feel like it. Makes all the difference! Effortless patience.

Andrea

[MaureenKennedy]

Andreajane - If I have etched beads while they are still on the mandrel, and don't like the way they look, the next day I pop them back into the kiln and bring up to annealing temp, and then pop them in and out of the flame to repolish them - takes the etching right away.

[CorriDawn]

we had some great info on etching. can we share again?

I know there was the topic of corking a vessel filled with water so you don't etch the inside, ummm... trans green, red, and orange I believe etch slower, flip your beads so no shiny spots, frit doesn't etch as much if at all if it isn't moretti or Bullseye..

what else? Join in, add, put pics, whatever

[Lisi]

I string mine on a piece of fishing line with a knot one one end, soak for about 10-15 minutes (15 for the transparents) while occasionally bobbing them up and down to move them around a bit. Then I take them out and soak them for a couple of minutes in a baking soda solution. From there they get washed with dish soap and water and while still strung on the fishing line. I let them dry on it too. Comes out great every time and I even etch BE this way. Sometimes the BE gets powdery looking but you can scrub that off with a toothbrush and a little toothpaste. Yes, toothpaste. :)

[SuzyQ]

I still want to be able to etch Bullseye erbium pink without pock marks. Anyone?