Etching tips?

[Flonche]

Hi all,

I have looked in the index but couldn't find a thread about etching. I just got Arrow Springs Glass bead etching crystals and the instructions are not very clear... or maybe I'm just dumbo. i.e. "use the container that the crystals came in and add water to not closer than 1/2" from the top of the container";
I guess I have to transfer the crystals in another container of baggie until I need them, right? And add up crystals to the already mixed and old solution as needed?
Then, should I just drop my beads in the container or thread them somehow, on what? Fishing line? Cheap jewelry wire? mandrel?
Do you have any recommendation please?

[designsbykurato]

I think you just add hot water half way to the crystals in the container to make the liquid and then suspend the beads in that...the etch all i get is already a liquid, I hope someone else that uses this can help you better:D

Kathie

[Flonche]

Thank you Kathie! I just made my own test with uglies, ended up good, except for purples and rubino, for some reason, and CIM peacock green didn't like it too much either. Actually, opaques took it much better than transparents!

[Karen Hardy]

Here's my tip. Wear protective eyewear.
It's amazing how one little bead that slips can make
such a big splash. Take it from someone who spent almost a whole hour
washing her eye out last week.

[SharonP]

I use the crystal etch, it's absolutely wonderful! Got mine at Arrow Springs.

You use everything that's in the container. Just pour hot water into the container and crystals, mix em up to dissolve as much as you can, let it cool a bit and close it up.

When you're ready to etch, string your bead on a piece of waxed dental floss, suspend it in the solution with the ends of the floss over the edges of the jar, and close the lid to hold it in place till your time is up.

If you're etching silvered ivory, give it to the count of 5 for a soft glossy surface; if you're etching effetre clear, 15 minutes is good.

I bought the large container ($25) - it's big enough to suspend anything I make, so I don't have to be pouring the stuff back & forth into larger bowls.

*s*

[Flonche]

Ouch, Karen, that sounds nasty... And, does it hurt as much as lemon juice?? ouch ouch ouch!!!! Hope you're fine now.
Sharon, I am such a fan of your critters! I actually have a postcard of Monkey Pee for bead porn, he's sitting right next to Terry Caspari-Schmitt.
My first dumbo question was because there was no room in the new container for both the crystals in it and some water, so after a blonde moment I transferred some of the crystals in a bag and made the mix. I used fishing line and 15 minutes worked for me on opaque moretti. Still experimenting, thanks for your tips!

[debco]

I suspend my bead on a paperclip...and then just use the top of the paperclip as a 'hook" and hang it on the edge of the jar...then I can lift the bead out of the etching cream by the hook and rinse the bead holding the paperclip...no splashes. no flying etching cream...works great!

Debco

[Flonche]

Thanks Debco!

[judithconway]

A word of caution....................
in any etching solution you are working with ACID...not lemon juice.

Please read and observe the cautions that are included with the packaging on your etching product. If the instruction are not clear (or if there are no instructions!) PLEASE insist that your supplier provide you with MSDS for the product. You should inform yourself before you work with anything that could be dangerous to your health (either immediate danger or future damage).

I would never suggest that you immerse a metal into your etching solution (use a plastic "fishing line" ....not a metal paper clip) unless you absolutely KNOW what the reaction can be.

[Kevan]

I put my beads on a piece of wire and have done so for 2 years. No reactions of any kind.