Etching a strand of beads

Heather Behrendt · #1 2011-05-31, 8:08pm

For those of you who use etching cream. Do you have a particular method for etching a set? I have a bunch of strands of beads to etch and I end up dipping them in with a hook, rattling them around in the liquid and once I've cleaned them I find that I miss a random dot.

Anybody have any efficient methods for doing this? Maybe I need to keep them unstrung and use a strainer or something.

Beadanna · #2 2011-06-01, 1:48am

Use etching liquid.

Lisi · #3 2011-06-01, 2:36am

Etching liquid, and so the etch gets in all around and there are no shiny spots, I use 4mm crystal bicone beads in between to keep them separated. Strung on a piece of fishing line. Bob them up and down a few times during the etching time. I leave mine in for 5-6 minutes.

Got that idea from someone in this forum and it was pretty clever I thought.

Kevan · #4 2011-06-01, 2:41am

Who is it who sells the crystals?

Dreamscapes Studio · #5 2011-06-01, 4:09am

If etching beads you are making ... I use a small paint brush, paint it on while they are still on the mandrels and stand them in a clean plastic container until they're done. Clean as usual.

Cheryl

Beadanna · #6 2011-06-01, 4:50am

I think Lisi probably uses crystals she already has. I wouldn't go out and buy crystals for this purpose Kevan. Just use beads with a small end so the etching liquid can reach your bead ends.

Kevan · #7 2011-06-01, 10:18am

No, I mean the etching crystals you add to water to make etching liquid.

Truewealth · #8 2011-06-01, 10:21am

Donna....of Zen-Mom (The Mandrel) on LE is who I've purchased those etching crystals from...love them!

Just mix with water and swirl your beads in the liquid....etches better and smoother than the cream or other etching liquids I've used.

mtnglass · #9 2011-06-01, 10:55am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevan

No, I mean the etching crystals you add to water to make etching liquid.

Arrow Springs has them as well and they work great!

ellyloo · #10 2011-06-01, 11:00am

I used to do them on a long string in liquid, making sure the beads aren't touching each other, so a knot in between each....otherwise the shoulders all had shiny spots where they protected each other.
then have the tail hang out of the jar, with the lid on, so you could just pull them out easily.

essiemessy · #11 2011-06-01, 6:47pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by ellyloo

I used to do them on a long string in liquid, making sure the beads aren't touching each other, so a knot in between each....otherwise the shoulders all had shiny spots where they protected each other.
then have the tail hang out of the jar, with the lid on, so you could just pull them out easily.

Yep, that's the best way.
Arrow Springs is the brand I have, even though I bought it in Oz

Heather Behrendt · #12 2011-06-01, 7:34pm

thanks everyone. I had some other beads that I used a little spacer on when I dipped them and it worked a lot better.

Lisi · #13 2011-06-01, 11:39pm

The tying knots in between each beads drove me batty! It took way to long and I still had shiny shoulders and where the knot was, little shiny places near the hole. That's why I love the idea of using little pointed bicone crystal beads. Those little points get down in the holes so all of the bead gets etched evenly.

I've used my 4mms over and over for many etchings and so far they are holding up and not "ate up" yet! I have extra on hand for when they start to show signs of disintegration.

Kevan · #14 2011-06-02, 1:18am

Thanks, Mikelene! I got ordered some today.

ellyloo · #15 2011-06-02, 8:57am

I'd also do it on wire -- kink the wire between each bead. then snip it all away after.

Lara · #16 2011-06-03, 9:56pm

I just put them on a thin wire, plop them in the tall container, close the lid and swirl as I let them etch. I swirl once in a while and then pull out.

No knots, no between beads, no kinks, just on wire.