....just because I etch them one by one, hung into my trusty etching liquid pot......there must be a quicker way? I'm scared they'll touch and I'll mess up the etching!
Hi Sabine,
Well I just put the lot in a shallow plastic bowl and pour the whole tub of etching fluid in, I just flip the beads over a bit half way through and give them a stir with a plastic straw a couple of times. Then I pour the etching fluid out, and tip all the beads in to a plastic jug already containing hot (not boiling) water out of the kettle with a few teaspoons of bacarbonate of soda, that's my favourite bit because I love watching them fizzzzzz, stinks a bit though so I do it near an open window. Then I decant them in to clean hot water, I sometimes have to give them a scrub with a toothbrush if I've over dome it a bit to get the white powder off. I'm a bit rough with them to be honest, but I always think if they survive this they'll survive anything ;D ;D
Very occasionally I have the odd bead that still has a tiny shiny spot on it where it's been touching another one, but just keep giving them a stir up and mine are always fine.
K xx
I pop them all in a pot with a lid, pop the etching liquid in, shut the lid (tight) and then do some shaking maraca dancing for a few minutes with them. Not do vigorously though but enought o keep all the beads moving and all covered and not touching eachother for too long.
You dont have to dance whilst doing this, but it helps pass the time.
That sounds like a good way, I'm going to try that ;D
I string a few on nylon beading thread, tie the thread together and drop them in the etching pot, suspending the thread from a screwdriver or pen or something to stop it dropping in. Every so often I dip the screwdriver up, down and all around to move the beads in the fluid. Then I transfer the whole thing to bicarb water to soak, remove from the thread, then brush them clean. That seems to work.
I do about 8 small beads at a time.
I think I'll be doing the etching dance tonight - Toby loves dancing, so I can keep him entertained at the same time. I'm glad I asked that question now! Never thought of nylon thread either, thanks!
Quote from: Donna on October 13, 2008, 12:33:14 PM
I string a few on nylon beading thread, tie the thread together and drop them in the etching pot, suspending the thread from a screwdriver or pen or something to stop it dropping in. Every so often I dip the screwdriver up, down and all around to move the beads in the fluid. Then I transfer the whole thing to bicarb water to soak, remove from the thread, then brush them clean. That seems to work.
I do about 8 small beads at a time.
Yep - that's my method as well. Not really done the 'etching dance' ;D
Quote from: sparrow on October 13, 2008, 01:01:11 PM
Never thought of nylon thread either, thanks!
I reuse the thread until it gets too kinked from knotting - kinked? kinky?...... back to the etching dance again.... :D
I developped the etching dance technique after my etching fluid dropped to a level where I could no longer suspend beads in via the thread :D coz I is a skinflint and wouldnt buy any more!
Mmm... might give dance a go. I just drop em into a pot that I have put the etching fluid in then after the alloted time i get em out and rinse em really really well in running water. No bicarb tho!!!
I just put them all in the etch all pot screw the lid on then give them a roll every time I pass them.
Quote from: Katiequiggle on October 13, 2008, 02:15:38 PM
I just put them all in the etch all pot screw the lid on then give them a roll every time I pass them.
Exactly what I do.
Then pop them in either soapy water to soak or bicarb to soak.
Quote from: *rowanberry* on October 13, 2008, 12:28:06 PM
I pop them all in a pot with a lid, pop the etching liquid in, shut the lid (tight) and then do some shaking maraca dancing for a few minutes with them. Not do vigorously though but enought o keep all the beads moving and all covered and not touching eachother for too long.
You dont have to dance whilst doing this, but it helps pass the time.
That's pretty much what I do too. I actually use an old, plastic frit container. I put the beads in, pour the etching liquid in, screw the lid on and then wait a bit. I shake them up every minute or so to ensure even etching :)
Not quite a dance.. but it gets the job done! lol :)
x
Quote from: dinah46 on October 13, 2008, 01:05:27 PM
Quote from: Donna on October 13, 2008, 12:33:14 PM
I string a few on nylon beading thread, tie the thread together and drop them in the etching pot, suspending the thread from a screwdriver or pen or something to stop it dropping in. Every so often I dip the screwdriver up, down and all around to move the beads in the fluid. Then I transfer the whole thing to bicarb water to soak, remove from the thread, then brush them clean. That seems to work.
I do about 8 small beads at a time.
Yep - that's my method as well. Not really done the 'etching dance' ;D
Me too - i use some tiger tail - easier to pull them out!!
I'd be worried about shaking incase a lid wasn't on properly!