What an absolutely lovely day - and made my way to the studio to start to do some more clean up
My daughter came and got the washer and dryer that were at the front area- freeing up some more room to move around
while doing that I decided to etch the copper sheets I needed for an order and to put up on etsy
so I got my sheets that I had cut the other day, and flattened
sheets are cut 3" x 4"
I used hot hot water and soap and used a scrubby to clean the oils that were on from the manufacture of the roll and my fingers
once cleaned - handle only by the edges as you dont want any oils from your fingers (although they were clean during the cleaning processing )
Next I need to stamp using my zentangle full size rubber stamps - available on etsy
the stamps are about 8-1/2 x 11"
In this case its my sheet pattern #2
I use the Staz-On white (only by preference the other Staz-on work as well )
I buy the kit that has extra ink as it does dry out quickly and you use a lot when stamping the large stamp
Once on then carefully apply the 3 x 4 sheet of copper hold down tight - try not to shift it - and I push all round the edges with one hand while the other holds in place - the stamp pad ink is sticky so as you push down it tends to hold in place
then when ready to pull up - hold down one corner and pick up from opposite corner and lift carefully
clean up is easy I use some thinner - to clean up - this is my original stamp from a few years ago
dont worry if you get any fingerprints on the back while stamping - that will clean off later
set to dry
Next is apply the packing tape - I got the 3" wide from uline that I find does not leave as much glue as others - so easier clean up later
I apply and then put into etching solution- The glass tray is on a dollar store cookie sheet that sits on an electric grill - set to WARM - cant have it too high
this solution is from last year and I cleaned out the old material and heated it back up - I put in some fresh - not much - once heated I put in the pieces for etching
while waiting I stamped my big necklace I want to make up
About 1-1/2 hours later I pulled out of etch and rinsed and set into backing soda to stop the reaction
(be careful when rinsing - not down your pipes )
the first three done
I sell them as unfinished - I clean up a bit and then put into plastic bags
so I finished about 12 on Friday - only a few more to go then I can do the necklace \
close up of #1
the first 6 go to the UK for an order but the rest I hope to have up on etsy this weekend
