Etched Copper Mandala Earrings with African Turquoise

by Sandra.
(Germantown, WI)

My adventures in metal smithing continue with the latest obsession being metal etching.

To make these earrings I used copper sheet metal to cut out the circles.

I then use my Silhouette Cameo software and machine to design and cut the mandala pattern out of vinyl.

After securing the vinyl to the metal I prepare my acid.

I use 1 part muriatic acid from my local hardware store and 2 parts hydrogen peroxide.

After I get the depth of etch I want, I dome, clean and polish the metal and add the LOS to darken the etch.

I then wire wrapped African Turquoise directly to the mandala.

I find etching frustrating at times and often unpredictable, but love the ability to design unique pieces of art on metal!

Sandra
Soul Sisters Designs