Copper Etched Pendants, Earrings or Even Rings~

You can etch copper or brass with chemicals to create beautiful designs! In order to make the best resist, you can use cricut or silhouette cut vinyl. Other resists include sharpie, nail polish or enamel.

Materials necessary:

Measuring cup/beaker

Hydrogen Peroxide (3%, found at the pharmacy)

Muriatic Acid (Home Depot/Lowes in Paint Dept/for concrete etching)

PPE: Goggles, Gloves, Tongs

Tape (Painters or packing, the wider the better)

Vinyl for cricut. Shiny vinyl is better than matte.

Plastic or glass container

Optional: Nail polish or sharpie

Copper or Brass Sheeting (I order both off of Amazon--the copper I get from a flashing store that sells a pound of random sized ends for approximately $16)

Sand paper or steel wool

Alcohol or alcohol preps

If using nail polish or sharpie: Acetone

Make sure to wear PPE. Goggles and gloves. I am using water to model this step, but WEAR GLOVES!!!! Very important part.

Measure out 2 parts Hydrogen Peroxide 3% and 1 part Muriatic Acid. For example, in a small batch: 1 Cup Hydrogen Peroxide and 1/2 Cup Muriatic Acid. Use only plastic or glass measuring cups. Mix in a plastic or glass container. I used a plastic soup container recycled from Chinese food!

In a separate container mix 3 tbs baking soda with 1 C water to neutralize after etching.

Prepare your metal: Clean using alcohol prep or alcohol on a cotton swab. Dry thoroughly. Scuff lightly with steel wool or light sandpaper. This allows for a deeper etch but is not necessary.

Choose your design and cut on Cricut machine, or hand-draw directly on copper leaving the areas you want etched "naked"

Using Cricut Vinyl, sharpie or nail polish (less effective) apply your resist to copper or brass. This process will not work on Sterling Silver or other metals.

Cover back of the item with tape. Any area uncovered will be etched.

Using tape to secure your item face down at an angle, submerge the item in the acid solution. Set a timer for 15 minutes and check after that time. I usually end up putting it back in for another 15 mins.

When finished rinse in bath of baking soda and water. Then run under tap to rinse off all remaining chemicals and remove tape and vinyl. If you use nail polish or sharpie remove your resist with acetone.

This will reveal your beautiful design! You can blacken the negative spaces with a sharpie OR Midas Black. Polish with sandpaper or steel wool and voila!