Learning How to Etch Copper

Learning How to Etch Copper


Published On: 07-09-2012 09:00pm

Comments: 0 - Hits: 337

Category: Wire Journal

I recently dabbled into metal etching. I etched copper sheet. I had been wanting to do it but somehow I thought it was far more complicated to do. A friendly fellow jeweler, Maureen Garber Bates, wrote me an instruction in text and I decided to try it. Amazingly simple to do. You just need to wear protective rubber gloves and lay some waterproof surface protection so your nice table doesn't get stained by the etchant solution.

I used PCB Etchant Solution I got from the local RadioShack store. PS: The bottle is in white now.

I found this interesting tutorial with photos for anyone who is interested on learning how to etch copper. Be careful when working with acid and read thoroughly the tips on cleaning and disposal.

These are my etched copper bracelets. The design is very simple but the etching texture gives them more oomph. I used rubber stamp and waterproof ink pad to adhere the texture on copper. I kept my used etched solution in an unused food container. This was my third time using it. When I opened the lid, I saw oily puddles on the surface, I shook the container a bit but didn't bother to remove them. As it turned out, the "oils" acted as a resist agent so the patterns I had didn't etched properly as it should have. But I don't mind at all. I think it created a new interesting texture that can't be duplicated! WIN! 

I suspected that the "oils" came from the ink I used as a resist on my copper sheet. One happy accident.

These are the finished etched copper bracelets. They are now available in Popnicute studio. They are stamped with positive affirmation phrases in a big font. A great daily reminder to keep the positive attitude all day long :) The design is so simple and suitable for both men and women. Makes a great unique gift. Each one has a unique texture.

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EVENTS:

Popnicute Hearts on Drew Barrymore Popnicute jewelry on Vanessa Lachey Popnicute created jewelry for The Vampire Diaries Popnicute created jewelry for Pretty Little Liars Popnicute jewelry were gifted at GBK 2012 MTV Movie Awards Gift Lounge Popnicute jewelry were gifted at OFFICIAL Backstage 46th Annual CMA Awards Gift Lounge

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CUSTOMERS' NOTES:
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I highly recommend this artist! I recently received three gorgeous custom-made pieces that just blew me away! Thank you so much Kharisma! The pod necklace you made for my mother-in-law is just absolutely stunning! Your attention to detail is just amazing! I also LOVE my bracelets! Again, just beautiful pieces! I cannot wait to see my Heart of Michi!! thank you, thank you, thank you! ~ Michi R.



I love my heart! I have bern drooling over your jewlery for along time now. Thanks to a very sweet guy I can enjoy this piece of art daily. I love how the heart just lights up when the sun hits it! I do recomend this! It's very well made and easy to wear! Thanks again for the heart of Lina! ~ Lina A.



Hi Kay, just my angel necklace and earrings they are sooooo cute thank you so very much :) ~ Cheryl M.



I just received my Owl he is so cute! You did an absolutly beautiful job thank you so much!! ~ Kathie M.



OMG, got my goddess necklace today, it took my breath away!!! I worked 12 1/2 hours today and finding it when I got home made my day!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!!! ~ Dana M. R.



Hey, I just received my lovely pendant today and I was absolutely thrilled. Not to mention it arrived exactly on my birthday ( what are the odds )! I just wanted to say thank you thank you thank you!!!! This item is a dream. I really appreciate the beauty and craftsmanship that went into it. I take my hat off to you. The design is excellent! It's clear that you apply great thought to your items. So yet again, many thanks! It's good to know you're out there! : ))) Warmest regards, Margarita <3



I absolutely adore the (heart) necklace!!! It is just perfect. Well worth waiting for. Thank You....... ~ Brenda C.



I have the MOST beautiful bracelet on my wrist.. THANK YOU so very much. Your craftsmanship and imaginative designs are fabulous..... Next to my wedding ring, my favorite piece of jewelry!! ! Melissa Vess.



Dear Kharisma, today the package finally arrived and I just wanted to let you know that the pendant is absolutely beautiful. For the last years I've worn the golden cross my grandmother gave to me for my Holy Communion but since she died three years ago, I've always been afraid of losing it which would have really hurt me. So I looked for a cross that I could wear instead and when I found the one you made, I was blown away. And what can I say, it was definitely worth the wait. So thank you so much for making such wonderful jewelry and keep up the good work! Best wishes from Germany, Ricarda



Wow! is incredible! This is the money better spent on any gift I've ever done! I think I can not wait to give it to my wife until May 5th or I dare before. And the presentation with the box and the paper inside is great! I almost cry when I saw it. It is the most beautiful of all I've seen, I love the detail of the heart. Surely this is the better gift for the fifth anniversary of my wedding. Thank you very much for the patience you had with the design. I hope to do business with you in the future. Thank you very much for everything! ~ Cesar



Hi, so last week i get finally the pendant and my girlfried was very excited :D everything was ok and the heart is beautifull :) ... so thanks! and a lot of happy customers! ~ Lukas



Hi Kharisma, My wife LOVED the Heart of Robyn. She has worn it just about every day since March 7th (her birthday). She has been showing it off to all of her friends. We love the pendant!



Your work is positively lovely! I adore every piece! I'm so glad not only to receive a piece but also to support you in creating more fine pieces! ~Kathryn



Hi there...send you a big thank you for my tree of life necklace - i received it while i was away on holidays. it is absolutely gorgeous. the way it was packaged was so beautiful too. thanks again... big hugs, may 2012 bring you much happiness. Judy



Hi Kay, When I got back home for Thanksgiving today, it was waiting for me.... All I have to say is...I'm going to faint...it is so beautiful.... I showed it to my family too, they all loved it! :D Thank you sooo much!
*hugs*
~ Yukiko
P.S. I'm also wearing the pagoda earrings today. My mom noticed when I walked in the door so I bragged about them. hehehe. :)



"Yippee!!! My silver wings arrived just now, and I LOVE them! Will wear them as I get ready for my big test, and am sure they'll bring good ju-ju for the exam itself. Thank you so much K!" ~ Sarah B.



"So beautiful. I really love your jewelry. It's something all girls should have as a key accessory." ~ Bethany S.



"Hi Kharisma! I just received the pagoda earrings in the mail today, just in time for my girlfriend's birthday! She absolutely loves them! and they look just like the ones in the photo! (actually, they look better in person!!!) Thank you so much! We'll definitely be coming back again, and look forward to seeing your new projects. Oh and thank you so much for the additional silver studs! It was very thoughtful :) Best, Yuki"



"I already got my sea turtle necklace and my purple bracelet. Finally after months of waiting. And I love love love it soooo much! I wear my 'Myrtle' almost everyday. Thank you Ma.. :)" ~Wanda.



"Hi, I recently purchased one of your rings, my girlfriend absolutely loves it. I'll definitely hit up your store in the future" ~T.



"I just got home from vacation and picked up my earrings at the post office. I wanted to let you know that I absolutely love them! Thank you." ~Diane



"Received my earrings yesterday in the mail and absolutely love them!!! So glad I ordered them! Thanks so much!-Gretchen :)"



"Hi! I received my new necklaces! They are wonderful!!! Thank you very much - and for adding that cute little graduation note too! They look great!!!!! :-)" ~Dana B



"Thanks for the extra links - they weren't needed but that was very thoughtful. Our daughter picked out the bracelet and gave it to her mother yesterday for Mother's Day. She likes it very much. Regards Steve"



"Hi Kay! I got the bracelet in the mail yesterday--it's wonderful! Thank you :D You package your things so nicely ^^ Merry Christmas!" ~Dana



"Hi Kay! The necklace arrived today and it is GORGEOUS! I'm so happy with it :D You are very talented, really. :) All my friends are going to be so jealous of this necklace! If you ever decide to make a matching bracelet, I'll be more than willing to purchase it :D" ~ Dana



"finally got to open it, and they are so so so so so perfect! and the opal crystal was a great choice, just the right ammount of sparkle." - Lois B (on Ladybug Pod Necklace)



"K, My wife is an artist blacksmith and I bought her this necklace for our wedding renewal. She loves it. Thank you."



"I received the earrings and I love them!!! Thank you so much for everything, and good luck with your new life in the USA! -M"



"Hi Kay,
I just wanted to let you know that I got my earrings today (the angel wings and the pearl/crystal ones). They are awesome, I'm so happy with them.
Thanks again,"
H (O:



"popnicute thks i got yr necklace today its amazing!!!" ~A.Z.



"Hi Kay, I just wanted to let you know I've received the package today. And the jewels are SO BEAUTIFUL. I really love them... They're all so lovely I cannot wait to wear them. I think it's the most beautiful things I've ever had. I'll definitely bookmark your page and come back later ;)
All my best," ~C.E.



"Hey I just picked it up from the post office (I wasn't home when it was delivered lols) and I must say that this even better than the picture shown!" ~E.L.M.



"I love the cocoon bead tutorial. Another great tutorial by K!!" ~A.B.



"Wow! I got my tutorial within minutes of my purchase. And the instructions are very clear and I love all the pics that go with it. It's very easy to follow. I can't wait to get started! Thank you so much!" ~P




"Earrings arrived this morning! Thank you so much they are gorgeous! :D" -S.S.