Has anyone else managed to combine acid etching and enamels. I've been making some pendants and on one I rolled it in enamel across the middle of the lentil then put my design over the top.When I acid etched the bead the top and bottom look nicely frosted but the part where the enamels are is still clear and really shiny. Any tips or can't it be done?
no idea, but it sounds like a nice effect that you might be able to use to your advantage :)
Possibly but on the pendant it just looks a bit of a mess unfortunately.
That's exactly what happened to me when i tried to etch enamels. I never did manage to do it!
Thanks for that Isabelle. I won't keep trying and wrecking beads, unless someone else comes up with a solution, but I'm guessing it can't be done.
maybe try putting it in the etch for longer?
This is a total shot in the dark because I'm a newbie and have never used enamels, but is it possible to encase the enamel after it has been applied and then etch?
or, what about etching the whole thing and rinsing, and then using an etching cream to just do the enamelled part again?
Sandblasting?
I havent managed to get the enamel to etch... but it creates some fab effects once you know thats whats gonna happen
I think the enamel has etched but because the pieces are small & have lots of reflecting sides, it doesn't look etched.
*in my humble opinion*
could you go over the enamel with a dremel with a ball grinder on it? selective etching?
On second thoughts it may chip the enamel :-[
sandpaper, glass paper, emery board by hand?
tumbler?
I hadn't thought of tumbling. I have a tumbler. What medium do you use on beads. I have tumbled completed jewellery with stainless steel but that doesn't affect the glass beads.
I have some nut shells for dry tumbling beads, don't know if its any good though as I haven't tried it but Barbara Mason does a lot of tumbling of beads, you might ask her. :) Her contact details are on GBUK and I am sure she woulden't mind you asking. She's lovely.
My tumbler still remains unused :-) I keep meaning to try!
Corina on her site suggested fine grit and a bag of pony beads from what I remember. I've seen someone else suggesting coating the outside of the barrel with wet and dry sandpaper and adding water and soap...
would the enamel not chip off because it is such a fine veneer?
Thanks everyone. I might contact Barbara. I did my first glass lampwork course with her about this time last year! Amazing to think a year ago I had only just discovered the delights of glass.
You know what Josephine I can't believe there was a life before glass. I am up to about 19 months now and I have no idea how I lived such a boring life before, pubbing and clubbing and all that bullsh*t. I can honestly say it has totally changed my life. What did we do before? I can't honestly remember and doesen't the time goes fast. ;D