Scuzzy beads!

[candygrrl]

Ok, this is what happens when I use the etch stuff I got from Michael's (Jen's works, mine is crap :D )

I left them in for about five minutes and this stuff is nearly impossible to get off. When I do get it off, they aren't nicely etched underneath. It's like there is a thick layer of -something- (looks like it's coated with vasiline) and it looks terrible. Should I just chunk this stuff and buy some more? Help!! :eek:

[Modesto]

Hey Candygrrl,

I can't help with answering your questions...very interesting.:confused:

I do think that you have one of the best signatures I've seen here and, worthy of note.:music:

[wildfirelauri]

Did you use the etching cream as opposed to solution? If so, did you mix it well before dunking your beads? I've had pretty good luck with cream, but the liquid is so much easier to work with and gives a nice even etch. However, yours have the look of something recently unearthed from an ancient civilization. Not what you were looking for, but keepers in my opinion.

Happy Accidents. Not mistakes, but creative expression. :)

[candygrrl]

Hey Harold,
Thanks! I like it a lot too :D It hits home for me...

Lauri,

This is a solution, it's the Etch Bath stuff you can get from Michael's. I did shake it well before using and only kept them in for 5 minutes. It is brown in color which some have said means it is old, but others say it works fine for them. It is a neat effect after you scrub that white stuff off, but it is a more "dug up out of the ground" look, not the soft etch look I was going for :p I may try buying another jug of the stuff and see if it works better. Hee hee, live-n-learn...

Candace

[Jennifer Geldard]

Eeew.
Candace...that's the same stuff I use.
But I never shake it.... there's gunk on the bottom, that I leave there. Just pour out the liquid into another smaller container (plastic) It should be amber in color...no silt. If the silt starts to come out, stop pouring.
Then just etch in that.

[Shirley C.]

Candace, I use the brownish liquid stuff from Michael's. But I don't shake mine - seems like there's a large pile of silt on the bottom of the bottle. When I dip my beads, they just hang in the liquid part.

So now I know that if I want my beads to look like treasure that's been buried in a heap of guano for a million years, I should shake up the bottle first. ;)

Actually, kind of an interesting look!

[Jennifer Geldard]

Great Minds think alike... and apparently post simultaniously too :)

[mlou]

Candace,

I keep hearing about problems with that stuff. If you are not happy with it I would suggest Etchall liquid rather than just trying to buy more. I have used this with wonderful results although for some reason it does not work on Bullseye glass. It's expensive but the jar lasts a LONG time. www.etchall.com

[macbeth7]

Candace,

Those beads are cool, even if it wasn't the intended result! :cool: I've used EtchAll liquid with no problems as well. It also turn brown, but continues to work. Don't think I've ever shaken it up either!

Beth

[Anne Londez]

I am doing a research on the composition of etching solutions these days. I've found a number of recipes in the scientific literature and I am trying a few (beoing a chemist helps to access and to safely handle all those chemicals). I've noticed this happen to a larger extent in certain compositions, less in others. I will try to post more details when I know more.
As to how to get rid of that, I've tried several methods and the two more efficient are a good soft brass jewelry brush, and my water pik at full force.
Hope that helps
Anne

[mistymade]

Yeah, they look kinda ancient, but I like them! Who wouldn't want a freshly dug up bead!:D
Misty