Metalsmith: Ferric Chloride Exhaustion
For decades, I’ve been etching copper, brass and nickel-silver with ferric chloride (FeCl3), an industrial ferrous salt normally used in water purification and sanitation. If you’re using ferric chloride, you may wonder how you can tell if it’s exhausted. How often you etch, which alloys you etch, and how large your metal pieces are all […]
On Drawing Celtic Knots
I’m in love with all the doodles, Zentangles, zendoodles and other drawing techniques that are so hot right now. As I’ve been reading about the Lindisfarne Gospels and the Book of Kells lately my doodle love has turned into a full-blown case of Celtic Knot Love. The beautiful knots incorporated in some of the illuminations in the manuscripts are […]
Question: Can I Etch Sterling Silver?
Elaine K. emailed about etching silver: Q. I’ve been fascinated with your website and its offerings, but am not sure I am ready to equip my studio for etching sterling silver. Can I etch silver, either sterling or fine? A. One can etch silver, but it takes a different chemical and different equipment than one would use […]