About etching beads

[AMR GlassWorks]

Can anyone tell me how or what is used to keep shapes (dots, lines, etc.) from being etched while the rest of the bead is etched? I want to try some etching but I want shapes in my beads that are still shiny! Thanks!!

[Blair]

Anne,

I have found that Sharpie markers work for fine detail when etching. I draw my design I don't want etched onto the bead with a Sharpie, going over the design a few times to make sure I have a thick resist, and then etch. I've only used etching cream but I would assume it would work with the liquid as well. You can also use fingernail polish or Elmer's glue, but you can't get as fine a design.

Blair

[cankeep]

There's a special masking fluid that I believe the manufactures of Etch All sells. They have a lot of info and tips on their web site and you can order direct.
I've used nail polish and the puffy fabric paint that come in little squeeze tubes. Perfect for covering dots or squiggles and it slides right off the beads as you rinse them off and you can also get a little kit of really fine metal points to use with them so you have great control even for tiny designs. I found it a lot neater than having to try to control a nail brush and happened to have a bunch of the fabric paint hanging around.
I've also heard that some people have had success using permanent markers to mask off the designs they don't want to etch, but I've also heard that it doesn't work for some people. I'd try it out on some practice beads to see what works best for you.
Please show us your beads when you get some etched!
Lezlie

[Mori]

Hi! I was wanting to know about this too.
I'm new to the glass world. I'll be hooked up tomorrow, to start making beads. Can't wait.
I went to the craft store today to look for the etching cream or liquid and the resist. They had the etching cream but no resist. It's nice to know you can use other things. Do you just drop the bead into the bottle?
Also, how does the marker come off?

Thanks,Mori

[cankeep]

I find that the liquid Etch All works better with a lot less waste than the cream type. The cream is good for some things but for most of my etched beads I just dunk them into the bottle of etching solution, fish them out when they're ready and rinse them thoroughly under running water, and they're done. If you don't rinse them super well you'll see a whitish coating develop as they dry. If that happens I scrub them a little with an old toothbrush and rinse again.
The cream is good if you're painting it on, or you can put it into one of those little squeeze bottles with a fine tip and draw with it, or squeeze on dots.
Lezlie

[AMR GlassWorks]

Thanks for all the hints! Where would I be without ya'll!! I'll try to get a picture of my beads that I etch on here asap!